2 Corinthians 13 explained: A Final Warning and Blessing

A third visit coming (vv. 1-2)

Paul quotes the old law's rule that any charge needs two or three witnesses, though scholars are unsure whether he means his repeated visits and warnings count as those witnesses or that he will hold a fair hearing. Either way, he says that when he comes he will firmly deal with those who have kept doing wrong.

Weakness and power (vv. 3-4)

Some in Corinth wanted proof that Christ really spoke through Paul, because he seemed unimpressive to them. He answers that Jesus himself died in weakness yet lives by God's power, and that Paul's own weakness works the same way.

Test yourselves instead (vv. 5-6)

Paul turns their demand around: rather than testing him, they should test whether their own faith is real. Many readers take this to mean that if Christ is truly in them, that itself proves Paul's message was genuine, since they came to faith through him.

Hoping not to be harsh (vv. 7-10)

Paul prays they will do what is right, even if that means he never gets to show his authority and so looks weak. He says his authority was given to build people up, not tear them down, which is why he is warning them by letter first.

Last words and greetings (vv. 11-13)

He urges them to be glad, mend what is broken, encourage each other and live in peace. The holy kiss was a common greeting among early Christians, a sign that they treated each other as family.

Closing blessing (v. 14)

Paul blesses them with the grace of Jesus, the love of God and the shared life of the Holy Spirit. Christians later read this line as an early expression of the Trinity, the belief that the one God is Father, Son and Spirit.

Key verse: 2 Corinthians 13:5

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether the call to examine yourselves in verse 5 is mainly a call to check whether one's faith is truly genuine, or mainly Paul's pointed reply that the Corinthians' own faith proves his work was real.

Something to think about

When someone questions whether you can be trusted, what do you think counts as real proof?