2 Corinthians 13 4

2 Corinthians 13:4 kjv

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

2 Corinthians 13:4 nkjv

For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

2 Corinthians 13:4 niv

For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him in our dealing with you.

2 Corinthians 13:4 esv

For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

2 Corinthians 13:4 nlt

Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God's power.

2 Corinthians 13 verses

2 Corinthians 13 4 Meaning

This verse presents a profound paradox, establishing a direct parallel between Christ and the Apostle Paul. It asserts that just as Jesus was crucified in a state of perceived weakness yet was resurrected and lives by the ultimate power of God, so too are Paul and his co-workers currently weak, but their future spiritual vitality and ministerial authority, empowered by God, will be fully manifest for the Corinthians' benefit. It reveals that true divine power is often displayed not in overt strength, but through a vulnerable, self-emptying state.

2 Corinthians 13 4 Context

The second letter to the Corinthians addresses a complex and often turbulent relationship between the Apostle Paul and the Corinthian church. Throughout the letter, Paul defends his apostolic authority, ministry, and character against criticisms and challenges from false apostles ("super-apostles") who emphasized outward displays of power, eloquence, and human wisdom.

Chapter 13 marks Paul's climactic warning to the Corinthians ahead of his anticipated third visit. He states that he will not spare those who have persisted in sin (13:2). The Corinthians, swayed by the false teachers, were demanding "proof" that Christ truly spoke through Paul (13:3). They doubted his apostleship precisely because he did not exhibit the kind of impressive, humanly powerful demeanor they sought; rather, he often appeared weak and suffering. Verse 4 directly responds to this demand by aligning Paul's own perceived "weakness" with the weakness of Christ on the cross, demonstrating that divine power operates contrary to human expectations and values. Paul is essentially asserting that if they seek proof of Christ's power, they will see it manifested in him, paradoxically, through his perceived frailty, just as Christ's ultimate power was manifest through His ultimate weakness on the cross.

2 Corinthians 13 4 Word analysis

• For though: (καὶ γὰρ – kai gar) – A concessive conjunction. It introduces a reason that provides a strong argument, yet with an acknowledgment of a seemingly contradictory premise. It bridges the preceding statement (Christ not weak among you, but powerful) with this clarification: His power was shown through weakness.
• he was crucified: (ἐσταυρώθη – estaurōthē) – Aorist passive indicative of stauroomai, "to crucify." This highlights the definitive, historical act of Christ's crucifixion. It emphasizes the manner of His death – humiliating, excruciating, and a demonstration of complete human powerlessness according to worldly standards.
• through weakness: (ἐξ ἀσθενείας – ex astheneias) – "Out of weakness" or "by reason of weakness." This is not a moral failing, but the human vulnerability and subjection to physical death that Jesus embraced, laying aside divine prerogatives (Phil 2:6-8). It refers to the physical and spiritual strain of Gethsemane and Calvary, His submission to human authority, and abandonment by His disciples. This 'weakness' was integral to His atoning sacrifice.
• yet he liveth: (ἀλλὰ ζῇ – alla zēi) – "But he lives." This forms the sharp contrast and the crucial pivot. Despite the ultimate display of weakness and death, He lives, indicating the resurrection. It emphasizes Christ's present, ongoing, and eternal life.
• by the power of God: (ἐκ δυνάμεως Θεοῦ – ek dunameōs Theou) – "Out of the power of God." This specifies the divine agency behind Christ's resurrection. The "weakness" was of Christ's humanity, but the "power" was entirely of God. It's an active, inherent, divine strength that overcomes death itself.

• For we also: (καὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς – kai gar hēmeis) – "For we, too" or "and indeed we." This introduces the parallel between Christ and the apostles (Paul and his companions). It draws a direct connection to the paradox established concerning Christ.
• are weak: (ἀσθενοῦμεν – asthenoumen) – Present active indicative of asthenoō, "to be weak." This denotes the present state of the apostles. Paul and his team experienced various forms of weakness: physical infirmities, personal humility, lack of worldly power or rhetorical flourish, and intense suffering in ministry (2 Cor 4:7-12, 11:23-30). This was not a pretense but a lived reality, and it was often interpreted by the Corinthians as a sign of their lack of genuine apostolic authority.
• in him: (ἐν αὐτῷ – en autō) – "In Christ." This vital phrase defines the nature of their weakness. It is not mere human frailty but a weakness identified with Christ's own path of self-emptying and suffering. Their suffering and humility are a participation in Christ's sufferings, and thus their weakness becomes sacred.
• but we shall live: (ἀλλὰ ζησόμεθα – alla zēsometha) – Future active indicative of zao, "to live." This declares a certainty: a future, active, and powerful manifestation of their true life and authority. It contrasts with their current perceived weakness. This refers not just to eternal life, but to a demonstrable, dynamic spiritual power in their ministry which will be evident to the Corinthians.
• with him: (σὺν αὐτῷ – sun autō) – "With Christ." This emphasizes participation, fellowship, and co-existence. Their future life and power are intrinsically linked to Christ; they are partners in His divine life and authority.
• by the power of God: (ἐκ δυνάμεως Θεοῦ – ek dunameōs Theou) – Again, "out of the power of God." The unwavering source for both Christ's and the apostles' life and power. It's the same divine enablement.
• toward you: (εἰς ὑμᾶς – eis hymas) – "For your sake," "to you," or "among you." This specifies the direction and purpose of their living power. Their God-given authority and life will not be exercised abstractly but for the spiritual health, edification, and, if necessary, the correction of the Corinthians. It's a ministerial power directed to the church.

2 Corinthians 13 4 Bonus section

This verse functions as a profound rhetorical strategy by Paul. The Corinthians demanded "proof" that Christ spoke in Paul (2 Cor 13:3), implying they sought impressive, overt displays of power. Paul instead points them to the counter-intuitive pattern of God's work, embodied first in Christ and then in his apostles. The very "weakness" that discredited Paul in their eyes is, ironically, the mark of true identification with Christ's self-giving and God's true modus operandi. The verse acts as a bridge: connecting the divine, historical event of Christ's cross and resurrection to the living, active ministry of Paul, showing how divine authority and power often operate contrary to human expectations. It models a Christian leadership that embraces vulnerability, trusting in God's transcendent power to work through it, rather than relying on self-sufficiency or worldly strength. This is a call to discern spiritual authenticity through spiritual eyes, rather than outward show.

2 Corinthians 13 4 Commentary

2 Corinthians 13:4 is a pivotal verse, offering the theological cornerstone for Paul's defense of his apostolic ministry throughout the letter. It powerfully encapsulates the central paradox of the cross: that God's ultimate power is revealed not in human might or worldly impressive displays, but in humble self-emptying and perceived weakness. Jesus's crucifixion "through weakness"—his humanity, vulnerability to suffering, and subjection to death—is utterly contrasted by His resurrection "by the power of God." This highlights that even in Christ's greatest apparent defeat, God's conquering power was at work.

Paul then extends this pattern to himself and his co-workers: "For we also are weak in him." The criticisms against Paul centered on his lack of ostentatious power, his suffering, and his unadorned speech, all of which the worldly-minded Corinthians perceived as "weakness." Yet, Paul declares this weakness to be in Christ, a conscious participation in Christ's path. Consequently, their perceived weakness does not diminish but authenticates their ministry. He asserts a future truth: "we shall live with him by the power of God." This means the full manifestation of their spiritual vitality, authority, and effective ministry, drawing directly from the same divine power that raised Christ. This power is directed "toward you," indicating it will be evident among the Corinthians for their good, whether in gentle edification or stern correction, validating Paul's true apostleship despite appearances. This verse, therefore, serves as both an explanation of Christian suffering and a firm warning to those who judge spiritual authenticity by worldly metrics.