Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does 2nd Corinthians Chapter 13 mean?

The final chapter of 2 Corinthians opens with an ominous warning from Paul. His third visit to them may be marked by the judgment of Christ for sin. He warned them on his previous visit, and warns the Corinthians once more, that he will not be lenient on those found to be in unrepentant sin. Two categories of sin were named at the end of chapter 12: division and immorality. The congregation’s desire for proof that Christ is speaking through Paul will be fully satisfied if he must exercise Christ’s judgment on any of them for sin. They will see that, though Paul may be weak, Christ will be powerful among them through him (2 Corinthians 13:1–4).

In keeping with that challenge, Paul urges self-examination. The believers ought to scrutinize themselves to see if they are living according to their professed faith in Christ. They must test themselves and realize whether Jesus Christ is truly in them. Paul seems to assume they will pass this test and find they still believe in Christ as they did when he first introduced Jesus to them. If the Corinthians do agree that Christ is in them, Paul and his associates will also pass the test of being true representatives of Christ. After all, Christ cannot be real in the Corinthians and false in the one who introduced them to Him (2 Corinthians 13:5–7).

Since Christ is in them, Paul prays that the Corinthians will not do wrong, that they will stop sinning. He is quick to add that this is not superficial appearances. He would rather everyone thought he had failed the test of being a true apostle, if the Corinthians would do what is right and prove Christ was true in them. Paul knows he cannot control the opinions of others, anyway. He and his fellow ministers work for the truth. Period. Christ is the truth. They cannot do anything against the truth, even if that would somehow help them to be more impressive to others. In fact, they are glad to be weak because it makes Christ powerful in them. They are glad for the Corinthians to be strong in that same way. They are praying for the Corinthians to be restored by fully repenting from sin and returning to their full devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 13:8–9).

Paul’s sincere plea expresses hope that the believers in Corinth will repent before he arrives, and he will not have to use his God-given authority as Christ’s representative to be severe with them because of their sin (2 Corinthians 13:10).

The letter concludes by urging the Corinthians to rejoice, to strive for restoration, to encourage each other, and to live in peace. They are assured the God of love and peace will be with them. Paul also offers greetings from other believers. His final prayer for them is for specific blessing from each of the three members of the Trinity (2 Corinthians 13:11–14).

Chapter Context
Second Corinthians 13 follows Paul’s listing of two sets of sins he is concerned he will find among the Corinthians when he arrives. These are personal divisions and sexual immorality. He warns them once more that nobody will be spared from Christ’s discipline if they remain in sin. Paul urges them to examine and test themselves to see if Christ is in them. He prays for their restoration and hopes they will repent of sin so that he does not have to be severe with them in his authority as Christ’s representative when he arrives.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

The end of chapter 12 turned the tables on the believers in Corinth. Paul has spent much of the letter answering charges against himself by a group of false apostles. He has lowered himself to the level of boasting, albeit sarcastically, about his qualifications as an apostle of Jesus. Before long, however, Paul made it clear the Corinthians are in no position to declare Paul valid or invalid. Rather, his defense has been for their sake—so they won’t reject the truth and accept a lie. It will be the believers of Corinth, not Paul, facing scrutiny when he arrives. He has listed several sins among them that have either been reported to him or that he witnessed when he was with them on his previous visit (2 Corinthians 12:19–21).

Paul repeats that this will be his third visit to Corinth (2 Corinthians 12:14). His first visit was when he lived among them and established the church in Corinth, leading many to faith in Christ (Acts 18:1–18). His second visit was short and difficult, resulting in an awkward confrontation and a lack of support from the congregation as a whole.

On this next visit, Paul is planning to come to put them on a kind of spiritual trial. He quotes from Deuteronomy 19:15, as Jesus did in Matthew 18:16–17. It’s unclear if Paul is planning to interview witnesses to confront those still involved in ongoing sin. Perhaps he simply means he is serious about holding them accountable for sinful rebellion against Christ.

In any case, Paul expects them to take his upcoming visit seriously; they should deal with their own sinfulness before he arrives.

Context Summary
Second Corinthians 13:1–10 contains Paul’s final warning to the Corinthians: repent from sin before he arrives to visit them. None will be spared from Christ’s discipline if they remain unrepentant. They will see that Christ speaks through Paul when he executes Christ’s powerful discipline among them. He urges them to examine themselves to see if Christ is in them and he prays for their restoration. Paul knows he has God-given authority to represent Christ among them, but he hopes he will not have to do so in a severe way when he arrives.

Verse 2. I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them —

Paul’s tone has become deadly serious in the final chapter of his letter to the Corinthians. When he was with them previously, he warned he would return to judge those living in ongoing sin. Now he cautions them all again: If he finds anyone living in the sins he listed in the previous verses, he will not spare them. Problems Paul recently mentioned included sins of those of division: quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder” (2 Corinthians 12:20). He also mentioned sins of immorality: impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality” (2 Corinthians 12:21).

The stakes, in this case, are the rebuke and shame brought by Paul’s authority as an apostle of Christ. However, it might mean something even more dire when Paul says he “will not spare them.” God had acted decisively when holding people to account in the early church. Ananias and Sapphira died (Acts 5:1–11). Elymas the magician was blinded (Acts 13:8–11). And Paul wrote in a previous letter to the Corinthians that they should turn a man in an immoral sexual relationship over to the devil (1 Corinthians 5:4–5).

Paul makes no overt threats here. However, the Corinthians would have understood he was not speaking lightly when promising to judge those still engaged in sinful behaviors.

Verse 3. since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

When coming to visit the believers in Corinth, Paul will be coming as something of a spiritual judge. He is planning to hold accountable all who are living in ongoing sin. His purpose is to expose and confront them for their rebellion against Christ. He wrote ominously that he would not spare them (2 Corinthians 13:1–2).

Though not always in the best ways, the Corinthians have been looking for proof that Christ genuinely speaks through Paul as His apostle. Ominously, Paul says they will get proof when they see how powerfully Christ acts to discipline their sinfulness. Even if they think Paul is weak in person, they should not think Christ will be weak when judging their lack of repentance for sin. They will see that Christ is, indeed, powerful.

Paul is not threatening them, nor promising any particular result. It should be noted—and the Corinthians would have known—that there were instances in the early church where God issued severe punishment (Acts 5:1–11; 13:8–11). At the very least, Paul is being deadly serious in warning of consequences for those who lack repentance from sin.

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

One accusation the false apostles made against Paul is that he seems weak in person (2 Corinthians 10:10). They seem to think an apostle of Christ ought to present himself in a dramatic, forceful, spectacular way. This was probably the style used by the false apostles.

Paul is now warning the believers in Corinth that when he comes to visit them again, anyone who remains in unrepentant sin will not be spared from judgment by Christ. He adds here that Christ, too, was weak when He was crucified for sin. After Christ was raised, however, He clarified His unimaginable power. Paul is saying he may have been weak when he was with them in the past—in a Christlike way—but when he comes to visit them this time it will be to deal with them in the Christlike power of God.

In other words, the Corinthian church should not expect Paul to seem weak or feeble at his next visit. He will be judging them in the name of Christ.

Verse 5. Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

This statement gives a crucial perspective to all Christians: to think critically about one’s own life and walk with Christ. In this passage, Paul wrote that the Corinthians sought proof that Christ was speaking through him as an apostle (2 Corinthians 13:3). Now he instructs them to examine themselves, instead. Are they truly in the faith? Not only does biblical faith involve cautious skepticism (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1), it also means being honest and careful about looking into our own lives (1 Corinthians 13:10; Hebrews 4:13). That’s not an invitation to doubt (Ephesians 3:14–19), but to honesty (Galatians 6:4–5).

Given that this letter was meant for a broad audience—though directed to a particular church—part of the meaning here is a question of salvation. To examine one’s self, spiritually, includes an honest look at whether one is truly a believer in Jesus. Along with that, it calls Christians to examine the details and results of their faith, to see if it’s according to the truth. It would involve scrutinizing one’s own conduct to see how—or if—they follow through on the will of God for their lives.

In short, Paul is asking them to see if Christ is truly in them. Do they still believe what they believed when Paul first introduced them to Jesus? Or will they find that their trust has been in someone or something else?

Paul assumes the answer will be positive. In part, he likely means that understanding Christ’s presence within them will motivate the Corinthians to shun sin. It also implies their honest answer—that Christ is in them—will show that Christ is also in Paul and speaking through him (2 Corinthians 13:6). This is true because Paul is the one who introduced them to Christ in the first place. They cannot reject Paul as a false apostle unless they also reject Christ as false in themselves, as well.

Verse 6. I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.

In the previous verse, Paul asked the Corinthians to test themselves to see that Jesus Christ is in them. In this context, he apparently assumes the answer will be that Christ is, truly, living within them, despite their flaws and errors. If that is their answer, Paul and his associates will have passed a test, as well. That would imply they are genuine in representing Christ. Paul is the one who introduced them to Christ. If Christ is real and genuine to them and in them, they must acknowledge that Christ is also in Paul and speaking through him.

The logic of that relationship continues, however. If Christ is speaking through Paul, the Corinthian believers must prepare to be judged by Christ, through Paul, for any unrepentant sin in their lives. They must acknowledge Paul’s authority as an apostle.

Another layer of meaning here would be that if Christ is truly in them, the Corinthians should know to repent of sin and move away from it, in order to avoid Christ’s discipline through Paul.

Verse 7. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong — not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.

Paul has issued an ominous warning to the Corinthians: when he arrives, none in unrepentant sin will be spared from discipline (2 Corinthians 13:2). He followed that by urging them to examine themselves to see if they were in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). This suggests they ought to scrutinize their own beliefs and conduct. That should show whether they were living according to their existing faith in Christ. Paul wants them to test themselves to see if Christ is in them.

If they find they do, in fact, believe in the true Christ—as Paul expects they will—it also means Paul has passed the test of being a true apostle of Christ. After all, how could the Corinthians come to true faith in Christ if the one who introduced them to Christ was a false apostle, as Paul’s opponents claimed?

Another implication is that if the Corinthians continue in unrepentant sin, it will create an embarrassing situation. Paul will appear—to those outside—to have failed to introduce them to Christ. He quickly adds that his point is not that he’s extremely worried about looking good to anyone. It’s not the appearance of bringing them to true saving faith in Jesus that matters. In fact, Paul is more than willing for outward appearances to make him look like a failure, so long as the reality is that his work helps bring people to Christ.. What he wants above all is for them to do what is right and, in that way, give evidence that their faith in Christ is true.

Paul’s deepest hope for the Corinthians is that Christ is truly in them. Their ability to repent of sin and to continue to follow Christ will be evidence of their faith. He is not saying that giving up sin is what will save them, however. Only faith in Christ can do that (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Verse 8. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

Paul and his associates prayed to God that the Corinthians would not do wrong (2 Corinthians 13:7). He wants them to repent from any ongoing sin in their lives and turn back to true devotion to Christ. Doing so would be evidence of legitimate faith in Jesus and proof of his true standing as an apostle of Christ. If they believe in the true gospel, then the one who introduced them to Christ must also be true in his teachings.

However, he is not primarily concerned with appearance. The main issue for Paul is not how their good behavior makes him look to the outside world. He wants them to do what is right because it is right, because it is the best for them. And, because that will encourage Paul to know they really are faithful.

He adds that he and his co-workers cannot change their presentation of the gospel in order to look good in the eyes of others. They cannot—will not—do anything contrary to the truth. Jesus declared Himself to be the truth (John 14:6). So, in serving Christ, they serve the truth in all cases all the time, whether it fits into cultural norms or the expectations of others.

The following verse shows that Paul has accepted his limitations. He freely admits he is weak in some of the ways his opponents have described him. Those assessments are true—but those specific weaknesses are what make Christ’s power so evident in Paul’s ministry.

Verse 9. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.

False teachers in Corinth have attacked Paul’s character and authority as an apostle of Jesus. He has been maligned by false teachers who are leading the Corinthians away from their devotion to Christ. Paul has also been derided for what these deceptive ones consider weaknesses. Among their sniping is the charge that Paul does not speak impressively or command respect with his personal appearance (2 Corinthians 10:10).

Paul has corrected facts about his character, but he has not defended himself against accusations of physical or verbal weakness. In fact, he has embraced the description; he has sarcastically bragged about his weakness and his suffering for Christ and his losses. He has been clear that Christ is strongest in him in the areas where he is weakest (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). So, Paul is glad to be weak, in this sense, as the apostle serving the Corinthians.

Paul and his associates would be glad to be perceived as weak while the Corinthians are considered strong. Earlier in this letter, he sarcastically described the believers in Corinth as wise and honorable compared to him and other ministers for Christ (2 Corinthians 11:19). In this use, however, Paul means something very different by the word “strong.” He is glad for these fellow believers to become strong in the sense that Paul himself is strong. Specifically, that means by repenting of sin and trusting more deeply in Christ to be the real source of power in their lives.

That’s why Paul and his friends are praying for the Corinthians’ restoration. Some translations use the word “perfection,” but many commentators say “restoration” is the better choice here. The Greek term is katartisin, which in that form implies adequacy or improvement. By that, Paul means they are praying the Corinthians will all repent of ongoing sin, turning back to full devotion to Christ and His will for them.

Verse 10. For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

Before turning to his closing words, Paul sums up the purpose for this letter to the church in Corinth. He has written everything for their good and to build them up, not to tear them down. More urgently, he seeks to convince them to repent of sin before he arrives. That way, he will not need to be severe in judging and disciplining those who remain unrepentant of ongoing sinful choices (2 Corinthians 12:19—13:2).

Despite charges against him by false apostles and other critics, Paul asserts once more that he is a true apostle, given valid authority to act on Christ’s behalf when he is with them. He warned that, acting on this authority, he will spare no one who is still following sinful ways when he arrives (2 Corinthians 13:2). They will see that, in Christ, Paul can be as strident as necessary to hold them accountable for betraying their devotion to Christ. This, as well, is meant for their good. Even if severe discipline is required, Paul makes clear his purpose will not be to dole out ruin and misery. As God does for all who are in Christ, Paul will only act to benefit them, even if that requires some temporary pain.

It’s also very clear that Paul does not want a severe confrontation with the believers of Corinth. It’s not something he wants to be forced into. He truly hopes that all will repent so their time together can be pleasant for everyone.

Verse 11. Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

This begins the conclusion of Paul’s second letter to this group of believers. As he often does, Paul issues a series of rapid-fire instructions in a warm tone, followed by a final blessing.

Paul calls them brothers—in this context meaning brothers and sisters—including all the Corinthian believers in a declaration of his familial affection. He tells them to rejoice. They should recognize that, in Christ, they are well provided for in every moment forever. Their lives are worth celebrating.

He repeats again that they should aim or strive for restoration. This includes repentance from any ongoing sin and a return to full devotion to Christ. Paul and his friends are praying exactly that for the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 13:9).

Paul also directs them to comfort each other, agree with each other, and to live in peace. Believers should accept responsibility for building each other up. Other New Testament passages emphasize the need for Christians to “put up with” each other in a spirit of love (Colossians 3:13). That godly form of tolerance keeps us moving past issues which keep us from being united in Christ. Division was a major problem for the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:10–11; 2 Corinthians 12:21). Restoration included healing those rifts.

Finally, Paul reminds these believers that the God of love and peace will be with them. Whatever has gone on in Corinth, they are not alone. God has not abandoned them. They can still receive His love and peace for them and share it with each other.

Context Summary
Second Corinthians 13:11–14 contains Paul’s closing farewell to the Corinthians. He urges them to rejoice, to strive for restoration, and to comfort and encourage each other in like-minded unity. He assures them that the God of love and peace will be with them, reminds them to greet each other with a holy kiss, and offers greetings from believers in other churches. Finally, Paul offers a prayer of specific blessing for them from each of the three members of the Trinity.

Verse 12. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

This passage closes Paul’s message to the church in Corinth with two features found at the end of many of his letters: a warm, gracious tone and a series of brief commands and reminders.

Paul now tells them to greet each other with a “holy kiss.” In that era, a quick kiss on either one or both cheeks was a common greeting between friends and family. In some cultures, even in the modern world, brief kisses on the cheeks are still used as a friendly, non-romantic greeting. Early Christians formalized this style of greeting as a “holy” expression of the family bond between believers in Jesus. Paul regularly encouraged the practice (1 Thessalonians 5:26; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20).

In part, perhaps, Paul felt that the “holy kiss” would promote unity between the Corinthians. It must be more difficult to stay resentful and divided from other believers while regularly using a “family” style of greeting. Such kisses would, at the least, give a physical expression to their needed unity, mutual encouragement, and forgiveness.

Verse 13. All the saints greet you.

Paul is closing out his long letter to the Corinthians in his usual style. With an affectionate tone, he is delivering a series of quick commands, reminders, and now greetings. He says simply, “All the saints greet you.”

The New Testament applies the word “saints” to all Christians, not just the especially holy ones. Any person who has been saved by grace through faith is a “saint” according to the New Testament. The believers Paul has in mind here are those in the region of Macedonia, where he is staying at the time of this writing. This would include the churches in the towns of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea.

Verse 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Here concludes a long letter to the church at Corinth with Paul’s blessing. This is the only one of his benedictions to specifically reference all three members of the Trinity. He describes each member of the Godhead as the source of one aspect of his prayer of blessing for them.

First, Paul prays for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with them. The grace of God is possible only through faith in Christ and because of Christ’s substitution for us in His death for our sin on the cross. Paul identifies Christ as the Lord.

Next, he prays for the love of God for the Corinthians. God’s love for the world is what motivated Him to send Christ to earth to make His grace and forgiveness for sin possible (John 3:16).

Finally, Paul prays for the fellowship of the Spirit to be with them. Every person who comes to faith in Christ receives God’s Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21–22). The Spirit makes it possible for Christians to communicate with the Father and to be in relationship with Him while we wait to be with Him physically in the glory of eternity (Romans 8:23–27).

Paul prays for this for “you all,” meaning every Christian in Corinth who reads—or hears as others read—this letter. His prayer and hope is they will set aside divisions, repent of sin, and be united together as one family in Christ.

Book Summary
Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.

End of Chapter 13 and the end of 2nd Corinthians.

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