2 Corinthians 13 3

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 verses

2 Corinthians 13 3 Meaning

Second Corinthians 13:3 addresses the Corinthian church's demand for explicit proof that Christ truly speaks through Paul. Paul's response asserts that Christ, far from being weak in Paul or towards the Corinthians, demonstrates His power dynamically within them. Their transformed lives and spiritual gifts are the irrefutable evidence of Christ's active presence and authority, validating Paul's apostleship and message. The verse flips their request for an external display by Paul into an internal realization of Christ's work in their own midst.

2 Corinthians 13 3 Context

Chapter 13 marks the conclusion of Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians. Throughout the epistle, particularly in chapters 10-12, Paul has vigorously defended his apostleship and authority against challengers within the Corinthian church. These individuals, possibly "super-apostles" or influential critics, questioned Paul's legitimacy due perhaps to his physical appearance, his humble speaking style, his manual labor, or his repeated delays in visiting Corinth. They demanded a show of "proof" or tangible power from Paul to validate his claim that Christ spoke through him. Paul had previously highlighted the difference between worldly displays of power and divine power manifested through weakness and suffering (2 Cor 12:9-10). In this concluding section, Paul warns the Corinthians that he is coming for a third visit and will not spare those who have sinned and remain unrepentant. Verse 3 directly addresses their demand for proof, effectively shifting the locus of evidence from Paul's outward demonstration to the Corinthians' own experience of Christ's power. It is a critical moment where Paul prepares for confrontational action, yet always with an underlying desire for their spiritual health and restoration, not judgment.

2 Corinthians 13 3 Word analysis

• since you seek: The Greek epeidē zēteite (ἐπειδὴ ζητεῖτε) denotes that their "seeking" is the reason for Paul's forthcoming firm action. The term zēteite (ζητεῖτε), "you seek," implies an active, perhaps demanding or persistent, inquiry, driven by a skeptical attitude or doubt concerning Paul's authority. This was not a passive request but an assertion of their demand for an outward sign.
• proof: The Greek word is dokimēn (δοκιμή), which means "a testing," "an examination," "a proof," or "a demonstration of worth." In this context, it refers to their desire for Paul to provide undeniable evidence of his apostolic commission, particularly that Christ Himself was the source of Paul's authority. This isn't just "proof" in an objective sense, but proof of authenticity after examination, like precious metals are proven genuine by fire. They sought to "test" Paul's claims.
• that Christ is speaking in me: The phrase tou en emoi lalountos Christou (τοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ λαλοῦντος Χριστοῦ) means "of Christ speaking in me." It underlines the essence of Paul's apostleship: he was not speaking his own words or wisdom but was a direct conduit for Christ. The preposition en (ἐν), "in," implies not just speaking through but Christ within Paul as the source of his message and authority. This echoes Old Testament prophets who were vessels for God's word (Jer 1:9, Ezek 2:2).
• he is not weak: The Greek ouk asthenei (οὐκ ἀσθενεῖ) literally means "He is not feeble" or "He does not lack strength." This refers to Christ, who is the subject. Paul directly counters the perception, perhaps held by the Corinthians, that because Paul himself often appeared weak or suffering, Christ's power working through him was also weak or diminished. This is a subtle polemic against a worldly understanding of power that equates physical impressiveness with divine authority.
• toward you: The phrase eis hymas (εἰς ὑμᾶς) means "to/towards you." It indicates the direction and intended recipients of Christ's action or attitude. It emphasizes that Christ's non-weakness is specifically experienced by the Corinthian believers, challenging their prior negative assessment of Paul.
• but is powerful: The Greek alla dynatei (ἀλλὰ δυνατεῖ) means "but He is exercising power" or "but He is mighty." Dynatei is the verb form of dynamis (δύναμις), meaning power or might. This term speaks of active, demonstrable strength. Paul declares that Christ is not merely potentially strong but is actively manifesting His power. It directly contrasts with "not weak."
• in you: The Greek en hymin (ἐν ὑμῖν) means "in you," referring to the Corinthian believers as a community. This is the crux of Paul's argument: the proof of Christ's power and active presence, which they sought in Paul, was already demonstrably at work within themselves. Their conversion, their spiritual gifts (1 Cor 1:4-7), their changed lives – all these were fruits of Christ's active power among them. It forces them to look inward and acknowledge the divine work they have already experienced, which validates the very messenger through whom they received it.

2 Corinthians 13 3 Bonus section

• The structure of the verse creates a powerful antithesis: Christ is not weak towards them, but is powerful in them. This direct contrast elevates Christ's omnipresent strength over any perceived human inadequacy, particularly Paul's own.
• Paul often turned an accusation against himself into a teaching point for the Corinthians. Here, their demand for "proof" of Christ speaking through him is skillfully reoriented to expose their own lack of discernment regarding Christ's ongoing work among them.
• The underlying tension is one of perception: the Corinthians valued worldly power, eloquence, and outward impressive display, while Paul insisted on the power of God demonstrated in weakness, the cross, and humility (1 Cor 1:18-2:5; 2 Cor 4:7-12). This verse directly confronts that tension.
• This verse can serve as a spiritual check for believers: when questioning a legitimate messenger or the authenticity of God's work, we must first examine the fruit and the transforming power of God already at work in our own lives or within our communities. The proof of Christ's living presence is not just in grand miracles, but in the internal spiritual regeneration and empowerment of believers.

2 Corinthians 13 3 Commentary

Paul addresses the Corinthian church's demand for tangible proof of Christ's active presence and authority in his ministry. Their skepticism challenged the core of his apostleship: that he spoke as a legitimate emissary of Christ. Instead of providing an external, self-serving display of power, Paul masterfully pivots, redirecting their gaze from his personal outward demonstration to the undeniable evidence of Christ's power within their own community.

He asserts that Christ, contrary to any human perception of weakness, particularly in connection to Paul's humble demeanor or sufferings, is supremely powerful. More importantly, this power is not distant or abstract but actively "at work in them" (en hymin). The very existence of the Corinthian church, their experience of conversion, and the manifestation of various spiritual gifts among them were direct testimonies to Christ's dynamic and living power. To demand proof from Paul, while ignoring the evidence of Christ's transforming power in their own lives, amounted to spiritual blindness or hypocrisy. The proof they sought was already staring them in the face, not as Paul's personal triumph, but as Christ's victorious work in their hearts and fellowship. This rhetorical move sets the stage for Paul's subsequent call for self-examination in verse 5, forcing the Corinthians to consider whether they themselves were truly in the faith if they could not discern Christ's power manifested through Paul's ministry. It highlights a common Christian challenge: looking for grand, external signs while overlooking the quieter, internal workings of God.