The Bible — World English Bible

2 Corinthians 13

In brief

2 Corinthians 13 is the last chapter of the letter. Paul announces his third visit to Corinth and warns that he will act firmly toward those who persist in sin. The Corinthians were looking for proof that Christ speaks in him: Paul answers that Christ, crucified in weakness, lives by the power of God, as do his servants. He invites everyone to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith. The letter ends with a blessing that names the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

The chapter in 3 parts

  1. v. 1-4A third visit, two or three witnesses, and Christ powerful in weakness
  2. v. 5-10Examine yourselves: being in the faith
  3. v. 11-14Final advice and closing blessing

1This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”

2I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;

3seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.

4For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you.

5Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

6But I hope that you will know that we aren’t disqualified.

7Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate.

8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

9For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this: your becoming perfect.

10For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.

11Finally, brothers, rejoice! Be perfected. Be comforted. Be of the same mind. Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

12Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13All the saints greet you.

14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Key verses

Verse 4
For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you.

Christ was crucified in weakness but lives by the power of God. Paul says his servants share this path: weak in him, but alive with him by the power of God.

Verse 5
Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Paul turns the question around: instead of testing the apostle, the Corinthians should test themselves. The criterion is the presence of Jesus Christ in them. It is an examination of faith, not a verdict on their salvation at all costs.

Verse 9
For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this: your becoming perfect.

Paul rejoices to be weak if the believers are strong. His prayer has a precise goal: their perfecting, meaning their restoration and growth.

Verse 11
Finally, brothers, rejoice! Be perfected. Be comforted. Be of the same mind. Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

The final advice is brief: aim for restoration, comfort one another, be of one mind and live in peace. The text promises that the God of love and peace will be with them.

Verse 13
All the saints greet you.

The letter ends with a Trinitarian blessing: the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. It is often used at the end of a church service.

Pray about this

What the sermons say

A Ritual of Communion with the Holy SpiritWataru Sugawara starts from verse 13 to present the Holy Spirit as a Person with whom we enter into fellowship, through a daily ritual that nourishes the relationship.Read the summary →Koinonia: Moving from Information to Intimacy with the Holy SpiritThe word koinonia is translated fellowship in verse 13. The teaching invites us to move from information about the Holy Spirit to intimacy with him.Read the summary →Palm Sunday: The Hidden Meaning of Jesus's Entry into JerusalemOn Palm Sunday, verse 5 is recalled to say that a merely emotional commitment is fragile and that everyone must examine themselves.Read the summary →Pride: The Sin That Separates Us From God and From OthersJudit draws on verse 5: without self-examination, life is like a sports car without brakes, and pride damages the relationship with God.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about 2 Corinthians 13

What does Examine yourselves mean in 2 Corinthians 13:5?

Paul invites every believer to check their faith: does Jesus Christ really live in them? It is not about torturing yourself, but about looking honestly at your life in the light of the gospel, recognizing what needs to change and returning to Christ.

What does the blessing of 2 Corinthians 13:13 mean?

It is a blessing that names the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Grace comes from Jesus Christ, love from God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit means the relationship shared with the Spirit, which also unites believers with one another. It is often spoken at the end of a service.

Why does Paul speak of weakness and power in chapter 13?

Because his opponents judged him weak. He answers that Christ himself was crucified in weakness and lives by the power of God. A Christian's strength does not come from himself: it shows itself precisely when he depends on God.

Articles quoting 2 Corinthians 13

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World English Bible translation — public domain.