2 Corinthians · chapter 13 of 13
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2 Corinthians 13 closes the letter with Paul's final warnings: he is coming for a third visit and will not be lenient toward anyone who persists in sin. He calls them to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith and to recognize that Jesus Christ is in them. Paul prays that they do what is right, wishes them to be restored, and ends with final exhortations and the blessing of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
In chapters 10 to 12 Paul defended his apostolic authority against those who questioned him in Corinth and expressed his fear about the state of the church. 2 Corinthians 13 is the close of the letter: after the defense comes the pastoral appeal. Paul does not seek to impose himself but that the church examine itself, be corrected and live in peace before his next visit.
Paul announces that he is coming to the Corinthians for the third time, and reminds them that every matter must be settled on the evidence of two or three witnesses. He had warned them, and now repeats it while absent, to those who had sinned before and to all the rest, that when he comes again he will not spare them. This answers those who were seeking proof that Christ speaks in him. Paul affirms that Christ is not weak toward them but powerful among them. He was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God, and in the same way the apostles are weak in him but will live with him by the power of God toward them.
Then he invites them to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith and to test themselves, for if Jesus Christ is in them they have not failed the test. He hopes they will recognize that Paul and his companions have not failed it. He prays to God that they do no wrong, not so that he may appear approved, but so that they may do what is right even if he appears to have failed. They can do nothing against the truth, only for the truth. He rejoices when he is weak and they are strong, and prays that they may be made complete, that is, restored.
For this reason he writes these things while absent, so that when he comes he will not have to use harshly the authority the Lord gave him for building up and not for tearing down. He concludes with a series of exhortations: rejoice, aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another and live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with them. He asks them to greet one another with a holy kiss, sends the greetings of all the saints and ends with the blessing: the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with them all.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Christ was crucified in weakness but lives by the power of God, and the apostles share that weakness and also that life. Paul answers those who judged him weak: the servant's weakness does not contradict Christ's power but displays it.
Paul asks the Corinthians to examine and test themselves to see whether they are in the faith, and to recognize that Jesus Christ is in them. The test of faith is not the apostle but the presence of Christ in each believer.
Paul urges the Corinthians to rejoice, aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another and live in peace, with the promise that the God of love and peace will be with them. In a few words it sums up the life of a healthy church.
The final blessing joins the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. It is one of the clearest formulas in the New Testament about the triune God and the gift received by those who belong to him.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: This is the third time he is coming to them. — 2 Corinthians 13:1
Answer: He was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. — 2 Corinthians 13:4
Answer: To examine and test themselves to see whether they are in the faith. — 2 Corinthians 13:5
Answer: That they do no wrong and that they be restored. — 2 Corinthians 13:7-9
Answer: For building up and not for tearing down. — 2 Corinthians 13:10
Answer: With the blessing of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. — 2 Corinthians 13:13
2 Corinthians 13 invites an honest examination. It is not an invitation to anguish but to check whether Christ is truly in our lives: whether we trust him, whether his Spirit is changing us, whether we pursue restoration and peace with others. In a small group you can spend time on this question, not judging others but looking at our own hearts.
The chapter also models authority that serves. Paul prefers to correct by letter so that he need not be harsh in person, and his goal is to build up. Anyone who leads in the church or at home can learn from that attitude: correct clearly, but with the aim of restoring. And the final blessing reminds us that the Christian life is not sustained by our effort but by the grace of Christ, the love of the Father and the fellowship of the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 13 closes the letter with a warning, a call to self-examination and a blessing that joins the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Paul has defended his ministry, spoken about generosity, comfort and strength in weakness, and ends wishing that the church live restored, in peace and under the grace of Christ.
Paul asks the Corinthians to check whether their lives confirm the faith they claim and to recognize that Jesus Christ is in them. He is not talking about seeking perfection but about verifying whether there is real trust in Christ and a life that reflects him, rather than assuming everything is fine.
Paul draws on a principle of the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 19:15) that a matter is established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. He applies that rule to his visits and warnings, showing that he wants to act justly and not arbitrarily.
It names together the Lord Jesus Christ, God and the Holy Spirit. Many Christians see here one of the clearest expressions in the New Testament of faith in one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and who works in the salvation and life of his people.