2 Corinthians 5:13

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.
• New International Version (NIV)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.
• 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.

Context of 2 Corinthians 5:13

11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we are trying to persuade people, but what we are is known to God—and I hope it is known to your consciences as well. 12For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity for boasting about us, so that you may have something to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14For the love of Messiah compels us, since we have concluded that One died for all; as a result all died. 15And He died for all so that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.

2 Corinthians 5:13 word by word

εἴτε γὰρ ἐξέστημεν, θεῷ· εἴτε σωφρονοῦμεν, ὑμῖν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• whetherεἴτεeite · whetherG1535
• we be beside ourselvesἐξίστημιexistēmi · to amazeG1839
• to Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• we be soberσωφρονέωsōphroneō · be of sound mindG4993
• for your causeσύsu · youG4771

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 5:13

• 2 Corinthians 11:1I wish that you would put up with a little foolishness from me, but indeed you are putting up with me.
• 2 Corinthians 12:6For if I should want to boast, I would not be foolish—for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me—
• Acts 26:24As Paul was thus making his defense, Festus says with a loud voice, “You’re crazy, Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane!”
• 1 Corinthians 4:10We are fools for Messiah’s sake, but you are wise in Messiah! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, but we are dishonored!
• 1 Thessalonians 2:3For our urging is not out of deceit or impure motives or trickery.
• 2 Samuel 6:21“It was before Adonai,” David said to Michal, “who chose me instead of your father and all his household, appointing me ruler over the people of Adonai, over Israel! So I danced Before Adonai,
• Acts 26:25But Paul declares, “I am not insane, most noble Festus! Rather I am speaking the sober truth.
• Romans 12:3For through the grace given me, I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think—but to use sound judgment, as God has assigned to each person a measure of faith.
• 2 Corinthians 7:12So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for the sake of the wrongdoer or for the sake of the one who was wronged, but to make known to you your diligence for us in the sight of God.
• Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and in my physical body—for the sake of His body, Messiah’s community—I fill up what is lacking in the afflictions of Messiah.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:5because our Good News did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Ruach ha-Kodesh and with complete certainty—just as you know what kind of men we proved to be while among you for your sake.
• 2 Timothy 2:10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the chosen, so they might obtain the salvation that is in Messiah Yeshua 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

• Jesus, the Christ
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Appear
• Constrain
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Earthly
• Faith
• Groan
• Pray
• Reconcile

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