2 Corinthians Chapter 13 — Final Warnings and Benediction
Paul concludes his letter by warning the Corinthians to examine their faith and offering a final blessing of peace and grace.
1This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”✡Deuteronomy 19:15
2I have warned previously, and I warn again, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now and to all the rest that if I come again, I will not spare,
3seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me who is not weak, but is powerful in you.
4For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you.
5Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
6But I hope that you will know that we aren’t disqualified.
7Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we may seem to have failed.
8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this: your becoming perfect.
10For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
11Finally, brothers, rejoice! Be perfected. Be comforted. Be of the same mind. Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13All the saints greet you.
14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
2 Corinthians 13:5
“Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of personal spiritual accountability and the presence of Christ in the believer.
2 Corinthians 13:11
“Finally, brothers, rejoice! Be perfected. Be comforted. Be of the same mind. Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
This verse provides a clear set of ethical and communal goals for the early Christian community.
2 Corinthians 13:14
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”
Known as the apostolic benediction, it is one of the most prominent Trinitarian formulas in the New Testament.
Chapter Summary
In the final chapter of 2 Corinthians, Paul prepares the church for his third visit. He emphasizes that he will not hesitate to exercise his apostolic authority against those who have not repented of their sins. He urges the believers to examine themselves and test their own faith to ensure that Jesus Christ is truly in them. Paul expresses his hope that the church will do what is honorable, even if it makes his own authority seem unnecessary, as his goal is their restoration and growth rather than their discipline. He concludes the letter with a series of exhortations to rejoice, be perfected, and live in peace. The book ends with a well-known Trinitarian benediction, invoking the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paul quotes Deuteronomy 19:15 to establish that his upcoming visit and potential disciplinary actions will be handled according to biblical standards of justice and truth.
Paul encourages the Corinthians to look inward and verify their own commitment to the faith, ensuring that Christ is active in their lives and that they are truly following His teachings.
Paul explains that the Lord gave him authority specifically for building up the church and restoration, rather than for tearing it down or causing harm.
Study Note
The final verse (13:14) is one of the earliest and most distinct references to the three persons of the Trinity within a single blessing in the New Testament.
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