2 Corinthians 13

Paul’s Final Advice

1This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”#13:1 Deut 19:15.). 2I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.

3I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. 4Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.

5Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you#13:5 Or in you.; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 6As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.

7We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. 8For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. 9We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.

10I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

Paul’s Final Greetings

11Dear brothers and sisters,#13:11 Greek Brothers. I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

12Greet each other with a sacred kiss. 13All of God’s people here send you their greetings.

14 # 13:14 Some English translations include verse 13 as part of verse 12, and then verse 14 becomes verse 13. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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II Corinthians 13

Coming with Authority

1This will be #2 Cor. 12:14the third time I am coming to you. #Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15; Matt. 18:16; John 8:17; Heb. 10:28“By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2#2 Cor. 10:2I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those #2 Cor. 12:21who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again #2 Cor. 1:23; 10:11I will not spare— 3since you seek a proof of Christ #Matt. 10:20; (1 Cor. 5:4; 7:40)speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty #(1 Cor. 9:2)in you. 4#Phil. 2:7, 8; (1 Pet. 3:18)For though He was crucified in weakness, yet #(Rom. 1:4; 6:4; 1 Cor. 6:14)He lives by the power of God. For #(2 Cor. 10:3, 4)we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

5Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, #Rom. 8:10; (Gal. 4:19)that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are #1 Cor. 9:27disqualified. 6But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Paul Prefers Gentleness

7Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though #2 Cor. 6:9we may seem disqualified. 8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9For we are glad #1 Cor. 4:10when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, #1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:12; (1 Thess. 3:10)that you may be made complete. 10#1 Cor. 4:21Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the #1 Cor. 5:4; 2 Cor. 10:8authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

Greetings and Benediction

11Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. #Rom. 12:16, 18Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love #Rom. 15:33; Eph. 6:23and peace will be with you.

12#Rom. 16:16Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13All the saints greet you.

14#Rom. 16:24The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and #Phil. 2:1the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

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