2 Corinthians Chapter 13
Showing all 14 verses for 2 Corinthians Chapter 13.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. "
"Paul says this will be his third visit, and reminds them of the old principle that any matter should be confirmed by two or three witnesses."
Even when you have real authority or a real grievance, deal with people fairly and require real evidence before drawing conclusions about them. Fairness protects both the innocent and your own integrity.
"I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: "
"Paul says he already warned them on his second visit, and repeats the warning now in writing, though he's absent: to those who sinned before, and to everyone else, if he comes again he will not hold back."
If you warn someone about a pattern that needs to change, be consistent — don't threaten consequences you never intend to follow through on, and don't act without having given fair warning first. Patience paired with honesty is more respectful than endless tolerance or a sudden ambush.
"Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. "
"Paul says: since they're demanding proof that Christ really speaks through him — well, Christ isn't weak towards them, he's powerful among them."
Before demanding more proof of something, look honestly at the evidence you already have. Real change and power in your own life is often more convincing than any argument someone could give you.
"For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. "
"Paul explains: Christ was crucified in weakness, yet lives by God's power. In the same way, Paul and his companions are weak in Christ, but they will live with him, through God's power, for the Corinthians' benefit."
If you're going through a season that feels like weakness or defeat, know that this is often exactly where new life quietly begins to grow, not the end of the story. I lived this pattern myself, and I'm with you in yours.
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? "
"Paul tells them to test themselves, to check whether their own faith is genuine — don't they realise Jesus Christ is within them, unless of course the test fails?"
It's much easier to scrutinise someone else's integrity than your own — but real growth starts with honest self-examination. Ask yourself, gently but truthfully, whether your life actually reflects what you say you believe.
"But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. "
"Paul says he's confident they'll come to recognise that he and his companions have not failed the test."
When you're confident in your own integrity, you don't need to force others to agree with you immediately — you can hold that confidence with patience, trusting that truth tends to become clear over time.
"Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. "
"Paul says his prayer isn't that he himself will look good or vindicated — it's that they will do nothing wrong and instead do what's right, even if it means he ends up looking like he failed the test."
Real love sometimes means being willing to look bad yourself if it means the person you care about does the right thing. Put their good ahead of your own reputation — that's what love that isn't about ego actually looks like.
"For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. "
"Paul says he and his companions are powerless to act against the truth — everything they do has to serve the truth."
Whatever influence or authority you have in someone's life, use it only in service of what's true and good for them, never to bend reality to suit your own agenda. That discipline is what keeps power trustworthy.
"For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. "
"Paul says he's genuinely happy to be weak himself, as long as they are strong — and what he really wants for them is that they become mature and complete."
Take real joy in someone else's growth and strength, even if it costs you something or leaves you looking less impressive by comparison. That's a mark of love that has moved past needing to compete.
"Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. "
"Paul explains he's writing all this now, while away, so that when he does arrive he won't need to be harsh — because the authority the Lord gave him is meant to build people up, not tear them down."
When you have influence over someone, always ask whether you're using it to build them up or to tear them down — the same words or authority can do either, and the difference is the intention behind them. Choose, always, to build.
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. "
"Paul closes with a final word: goodbye, brothers and sisters. Aim for maturity, take comfort, be united in outlook, live peacefully — and the God of love and peace will be with you."
However painful a conflict has been, try to end on hope and togetherness rather than staying trapped in the grievance. Aim for growth, comfort each other, find common ground, and let peace be the last word, not the last wound.
"Greet one another with an holy kiss. "
"Paul tells them to greet each other with a holy kiss — the culturally normal warm greeting of the time, used among believers as a sign of family affection and unity."
Don't underestimate small physical or social gestures of warmth — a genuine greeting, a hug, real affection shown openly — as ways of expressing love and healing rifts between people. Sometimes reconciliation needs a simple, human gesture as much as it needs words.
"All the saints salute you. "
"Paul adds that all the believers with him send their greetings."
Remember that you belong to something bigger than your immediate circle — there are people, even ones you've never met, who are for you and wish you well. That sense of wider belonging can be a real comfort in hard times.
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. "
"Paul ends with a blessing: may the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the shared fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of them. Amen."
However hard a relationship or a conversation has been, you can still choose to end it by wishing someone genuine grace, love and real togetherness rather than the last word in an argument. That kind of ending doesn't erase the hurt, but it makes room for something better to grow.