2 Corinthians 13:3

Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. SINCE - the reason why he will not spare: since ye challenge me to a "proof" that Christ speaks in me. It would be better if ye would "prove your own selves" (). This disproves the assertion that Scripture nowhere asserts the infallibility of its writers when writing it. Christ spake through Paul; lived in Paul (); suffered in Paul (; Acts 9:4). WHICH - `who' (Christ). IS NOT WEAK - not without power of chastisement in relation to you, by me generally, and in this very letter....

3._Since ye seek a proof _A twofold meaning may be drawn from these words. The _first _is, “Since you wish to try me, whether I speak of myself, or whether Christ speaks by me;_” _and in this way Chrysostom, and Ambrose, explain it. I am rather inclined, however, to understand him as declaring, that it does not so much concern himself as Christ, when his authority is detracted from — that when his admonitions are despised, Christ’s patience is tried. “It is Christ that speaks by me; when therefore, you bring my doctrine under your lash, it is not so much to me as to him that you do injury.” Some one, however, will object thus: “What! Will a man’s doctrine, then, be exempted from all investigation, so soon as he makes it his boast, that he has Christ as his authority? And what false prophet will not make this his boast? What distinction, then, will there be between truth and falsehood, an...

1-6 Though it is God's gracious method to bear long with sinners, yet he will not bear always; at length he will come, and will not spare those who remain obstinate and impenitent. Christ at his crucifixion, appeared as only a weak and helpless man, but his resurrection and life showed his Divine power. So the apostles, how mean and contemptible soever they appeared to the world, yet, as instruments, they manifested the power of God. Let them prove their tempers, conduct, and experience, as gold is assayed or proved by the touchstone. If they could prove themselves not to be reprobates, not to be rejected of Christ, he trusted they would know that he was not a reprobate, not disowned by Christ. They ought to know if Christ Jesus was in them, by the influences, graces, and indwelling of his Spirit, by his kingdom set up in their hearts. Let us question our own souls; either we are true C...

Verse 2 Corinthians 13:3. _SINCE YE SEEK A PROOF OF CHRIST_] The conversion of the Corinthians was to themselves a solid proof that Christ spoke by the apostle; and therefore he could, with great propriety, say that this _power of Christ_, far from being _weak_, was _mighty among_ _them_....

SINCE YE SEEK A PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING IN ME - see the notes on the previous chapters. They had called in question his apostolic authority; they had demanded the evidence of his divine commission. He says that he would now furnish such evidence by inflicting just punishment on all offenders, and they should have abundant proof that Christ spoke by him, or that he was inspired. WHICH TO YOU-WARD IS NOT WEAK - Or who, that is, Christ, is not weak, etc. Christ has manifested his power abundantly toward you, that is, either by the miracles that had been performed in his name; or by the diseases and calamities which they had suffered on account of their disorders and offences (see the note on 1 Corinthians 11:30); or by the force and efficacy of his doctrine. The connection, it seems to me, requires that we

CONCLUDING APPEALS AND EXHORTATIONS, EXPOSITION 2 CORINTHIANS 13:1 THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I AM COMING TO YOU. I have thrice formed the intention, though the second time I had to forego my plan (2 Corinthians 1:15). IN THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES. The quotation is from Deuteronomy 19:15. It has been explained as a reference to _examinations _which he intended to hold on his arrival at Corinth. It is much more probable that St. Paul is representing his separate visits as separate _attestations _to the truths which he preache

SINCE YE SEEK A PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING IN ME,.... This is the reason why he was determined, that should he come among them, he would not spare them, because they called in question his apostleship, and demanded a proof of it; which, of all men, they had the least reason to do; for they themselves were the seals of his apostleship, and the signs of an apostle had been done among them; they queried whether he was an ambassador of Christ, and was sent by him, and in his name; whether the message he came with was from him, and whether the Gospel he preached was his voice; and particularly whether he had such a power to punish delinquents, as he threatened them with the exercise of; a strange infatuation of the false apostles this, since Christ, who sent him, was with him, and spoke in him, and by him: WHICH TO YOU-WARD, says he, IS NOT WEAK, BUT IS MIGHTY IN YOU; the Gospel of Christ, at...

4. STILL ABSENT - YET COMING. THE CONCLUSION. CHAPTER 13 _ 1. Being Absent; Expecting to Come. (2 Corinthians 13:1 .)_ 2. The Conclusion. (2 Corinthians 13:11 .) He speaks in conclusion of his coming to them. “This third time I am coming to you.” And when he comes again he will not spare them. He reminds them once more of their doubtings about Christ speaking in him and using him as an apostle. They themselves were proof of this. If it were that Christ had not spoken to them through him (by preaching the Gospel), then Christ also did not dwell in them. But if Christ really was in them then it was an evidence that Christ had spoken by him. Notice that part of the third verse and the fourth verse are parenthetical. Leaving out the parenthetical words

WARNINGS IN VIEW OF A VISIT. This closing chapter starts from a vivid realisation of that which is only too likely to be the situation when he arrives for the third time. With increased emphasis, and added detail, he reiterates his solemn warning, and with biting irony turns against his adversaries one of the sarcastic demands they level at him. They ask for proof that Christ speaks in him. They shall have it (_cf._ Isaiah 28:9 ff.). Christ will show Himself not weak among them, as they have reckoned His apostle, but powerful for judgment. His experience, dying to reign, will repeat itself in Paul, who has already put this interpretation on his own weakness, that in it he fills up that which is lacking of the sufferings of Christ. Let them examine themselves whether they are truly Christians; let them get back the primal Christian experience, and ascertain whether Christ is really in the...

A WARNING, A WISH, A HOPE AND A BLESSING (2 Corinthians 13:1-14) 13 For the third time I am coming to you. Everything will be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses. To those who have already sinned and to all others I have already said, and I now say, just as I said it when I was with you on my second visit, now I say it while I am absent, that if I come to you again, I will not spare you. I will take decisive action because you are looking for a proof that Christ really is speaking in me, Christ who is not weak where you are concerned, but who is powerful among you. True, he was crucified in weakness, but he is alive by the power of God. Keep testing yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Keep proving yourselves. Or do you not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you--unless in any way you are rejected? But we pray to God that you should do no evi