2 Corinthians 13:3 kjv
Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
2 Corinthians 13:3 nkjv
since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.
2 Corinthians 13:3 niv
since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
2 Corinthians 13:3 esv
since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
2 Corinthians 13:3 nlt
I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you.
2 Corinthians 13 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Corinthians 10:8 | For even if I boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed. | Authority & Purpose |
| 2 Corinthians 10:10 | For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is contemptible." | Paul's Authority |
| 1 Corinthians 5:4 | In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, | Power of Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 5:5 | you are to deliver to Satan into destruction, so that the Spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. | Spiritual Discipline |
| Galatians 1:8 | But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. | Gospel Authenticity |
| Hebrews 13:7 | Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. | Imitating Leaders |
| Hebrews 13:17 | Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be a disadvantage to you. | Submission to Leaders |
| Acts 18:10 | and said, "I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city." | God's Protection |
| Romans 8:10 | But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. | Indwelling of Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. | Unity in the Church |
| 1 Corinthians 6:6 | to have disputes at all. To have lawsuits at all with one another. This is a failure among you. | Disputing in the Church |
| 2 Corinthians 12:19 | Have you been saying these things now for a long time? Or are we making excuses to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ, and all dearly beloved, for your upbuilding. | Edification |
| 2 Corinthians 12:20 | For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. | Potential for Conflict |
| 1 Peter 5:10 | And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. | Strengthening by God |
| John 14:12 | Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. | Works through Believers |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Testing Spirits |
| Ephesians 4:14 | so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by that which makes people go astray. | Doctrinal Stability |
| Romans 15:18 | For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, | Ministry Accomplishments |
| Acts 20:20 | how I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. | Declaring the Whole Counsel |
| Philippians 3:3 | for we are the true circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— | Worship by the Spirit |
| Colossians 1:29 | For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. | God's Power Within |
2 Corinthians 13 verses
2 Corinthians 13 3 Meaning
This verse serves as a powerful statement from the Apostle Paul. He declares that the Corinthians' lack of response to his previous letters will prove the strength and authenticity of Christ's message, which, through Paul, is actively working within them. He emphasizes that if they do not respond, it reveals that Christ is not demonstrably speaking through him, thereby affirming that his actions were not a demonstration of power against them but rather a consequence of their continued disobedience.
2 Corinthians 13 3 Context
Second Corinthians 13 follows a series of Pauline defenses of his apostleship and ministry. In the preceding chapters, Paul has addressed divisions and sin within the Corinthian church and responded to critics who questioned his authority and presence. Chapter 13, often seen as a concluding "final warning," anticipates a potential visit from Paul. The Corinthians had been testing Paul's authority, seeking proof of Christ speaking through him. Paul had warned them that if he did come, he would not spare them (13:2). This verse is a direct continuation of that warning, explaining the nature of the proof they would find.
2 Corinthians 13 3 Word Analysis
δοκιμή (dokimē): Test, proof, approval. This Greek word signifies the proving of something to be genuine.
χριστοῦ (christou): Christ's. The genitive case shows possession or origin – proof proceeding from Christ.
ἐν (en): In, among. It indicates the sphere or location where the test is occurring or manifest.
ὑμῖν (hymin): You (plural). Directly addressing the Corinthians.
οὐκ (ouk): Not. A strong negation.
ἀσθενεῖ (astheneî): Weak. The third person singular present indicative of ἀσθενέω (astheneō), meaning to be weak, infirm.
ἀλλ’ (all'): But. Introduces a contrast.
ἐν (en): In. Again indicating sphere or manner.
ὑμῖν (hymin): You (plural).
ἐνέργεια (enérgeia): Power, working, energy, active working. A key term for divine power at work.
ἐστιν (estin): Is.
palavra em grego: (The Greek word is here) - (Note: There are no further Greek words needing detailed analysis in this specific verse, as the previous terms cover the core of the message.)
Testing Christ's Proof in You: The "proof of Christ in you" is not a static possession but a dynamic reality tested by their response (or lack thereof) to Paul's ministry. It's about the verifiable effect of Christ's power working through him amongst them.
Lack of Weakness vs. Manifested Power: Paul contrasts potential "weakness" (a possible interpretation of his physical presence) with the demonstrated "power" of Christ. Their continued unresponsiveness would, in his view, imply that this power is not evident in him toward them.
Responsiveness as a Measure: The verse links their behavior and attitudes to the measure of Christ's power evident in the ministry. Obedience and a receptive spirit would showcase Christ's power; continued defiance would mask it.
2 Corinthians 13 3 Bonus Section
The "proof of Christ in you" can be understood not just as divine enablement in the apostle, but as the demonstrable fruits of the Spirit within the lives of the believers themselves, as a result of that apostolic ministry. This reinforces the idea that authentic ministry produces authentic discipleship, which can serve as a verification of the source of that ministry. The lack of a "weak" demonstration of Christ means that if they remain unresponsive, they cannot claim to see weakness in Christ's power working through Paul, implying instead a willful resistance to that power.
2 Corinthians 13 3 Commentary
Paul challenges the Corinthians. He tells them that they are seeking proof that Christ speaks through him. Their experiential knowledge of Christ's work should be the test. If Christ's power is truly active in them through Paul's ministry, then their behavior would reflect this, and Paul's words would prove true. Their unresponsiveness, therefore, is not an absence of power, but rather that Christ is not "weak" in them as they might suppose, meaning, He is not demonstrated in power towards them because of their continued defiance. The lack of "proof" of Christ's power on their side of the equation is a consequence of their current spiritual state, not a failure of God's power itself. They are being warned that a forceful demonstration of apostolic authority may be required if they do not repent.