New International Version
2 Corinthians 5:13
13If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
2 Corinthians 5:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
- New Living Translation (NLT)If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.
Context of 2 Corinthians 5:13
11Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 52 Corinthians 5:13 word by word
εἴτε γὰρ ἐξέστημεν, θεῷ· εἴτε σωφρονοῦμεν, ὑμῖν.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 5:13
- 2 Corinthians 11:1I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me!
- 2 Corinthians 12:6Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say,
- Acts 26:24At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:10We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
- 2 Samuel 6:21David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord.
- Acts 26:25“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.
- Romans 12:3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
- 2 Corinthians 7:12So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.
- Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:5because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
- 2 Timothy 2:10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Beside ourselves - Probably he was reputed by some to be deranged. Festus thought so: Paul, thou art beside thyself; too much learning hath made thee mad. And his enemies at Corinth might insinuate not only that he was deranged, but attribute his derangement to a less worthy cause than intense study and deep learning. It is to God - If we do appear, in speaking of the glories of the eternal world, to be transported beyond ourselves, it is through the good…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13For whether we be beside ourselves - This is probably designed to meet some of the charges which the false teachers in Corinth brought against him, and to furnish his friends there with a ready answer, as well as to show them the true principles on which he acted, and his real love for them. It is altogether probable that he was charged with being deranged; that many who boasted themselves of prudence, and soberness, and wisdom, regarded him as acting…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-15Verses 9-15 The apostle quickens himself and others to acts of duty. Well-grounded hopes of heaven will not encourage sloth and sinful security. Let all consider the judgment to come, which is called, The terror of the Lord. Knowing what terrible vengeance the Lord would execute upon the workers of iniquity, the apostle and his brethren used every argument and persuasion, to lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as his disciples. Their zeal…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13If we are out of our mind: This statement might suggest that during Paul's previous visit to Corinth (2:1–2), people accused him of being out of his mind when he shared the simple good news about Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:2).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. be--rather as Greek, "have been." The contrast is between the single act implied by the past tense, "If we have ever been beside ourselves," and the habitual state implied by the present, "Or whether we be sober," that is, of sound mind. beside ourselves--The accusation brought by Festus against him (Ac 26:24). The holy enthusiasm with which he spake of what God effected by His apostolic ministry, seemed to many to be boasting madness. sober--humbling…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 5:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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