2 Corinthians 13:5 kjv
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Corinthians 13:5 nkjv
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you??unless indeed you are disqualified.
2 Corinthians 13:5 niv
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you?unless, of course, you fail the test?
2 Corinthians 13:5 esv
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? ? unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
2 Corinthians 13:5 nlt
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you ; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.
2 Corinthians 13 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 13:5 | Examine yourselves... Christ Jesus is in you—unless...disqualified. | Assurance of faith |
| 1 Cor 11:28 | Let a man examine himself... | Self-examination |
| Rom 8:16 | The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God | Witness of the Spirit |
| Gal 4:19 | My dear children, for whom I again in travail until Christ is formed in you | Christ formed in believer |
| Col 1:27 | Christ in you, the hope of glory. | Indwelling Christ |
| Eph 3:17 | that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith | Faith and dwelling |
| John 15:4-5 | Remain in me... Apart from me you can do nothing. | Abiding in Christ |
| Rom 12:2 | Do not conform to this world, but be transformed... | Transformation |
| 1 John 3:20 | If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts... | Heart's testimony |
| 2 Cor 5:17 | if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. | New creation |
| 1 John 4:13 | By this we know that we live in him and he in us: that he has given us of his Spirit. | Evidence of Spirit |
| Phil 2:12b-13 | ...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you | God's work in believers |
| Gal 5:22-23 | the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace... | Fruit of the Spirit |
| 1 Thes 5:21 | Test everything; hold fast to what is good. | Testing all things |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword | Word's power |
| Acts 17:11 | They received the word with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily | Berean example |
| John 5:39 | You study the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life | Study Scripture |
| Ps 139:23-24 | Search me, God, and know my heart... | Divine examination |
| Matt 7:21-23 | Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom... | Lordship and action |
| Titus 2:14 | who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his own... | Christ’s redemptive work |
| Rev 3:20 | Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. | Christ knocking |
2 Corinthians 13 verses
2 Corinthians 13 5 Meaning
Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not know that Christ Jesus is in you—unless indeed you are disqualified? This verse calls believers to introspect and confirm the authenticity of their faith. It’s a plea to evaluate one's spiritual condition, ensuring they are genuinely abiding in Christ and not merely professing faith superficially. The certainty of Christ dwelling within believers is presented as a hallmark of genuine faith.
2 Corinthians 13 5 Context
This verse is the concluding admonition in the Apostle Paul’s final letter to the Corinthian church. The chapter addresses the seriousness of his impending visit and the need for the Corinthians to be prepared. He intends to discern whether their obedience matches his apostolic authority. Previous chapters highlight ongoing issues within the Corinthian church, including divisions, immorality, and a lack of spiritual maturity. Paul's urgency stems from a desire to avoid severe judgment when he arrives. He urges them to self-examine, implying that a true and tested faith would manifest in their conduct and spiritual alignment with Christ.
2 Corinthians 13 5 Word analysis
Examine yourselves (Peirate, eksetazete): This Greek imperative conveys a thorough investigation, not a casual glance. It suggests testing, proving, and scrutinizing something to ascertain its genuine nature and quality.
if you are in the faith (ei este en te pistei): The phrase "in the faith" refers to being situated within the realm of Christian belief and practice, holding to the doctrine of Christ and His salvation.
test yourselves (peirazete heautous): This repetition of the testing concept reinforces the need for self-evaluation. It's a process of subjecting one's own spiritual condition to a rigorous examination.
Do you not know (ou, egnokote): This rhetorical question challenges their existing knowledge or understanding.
that Christ Jesus is in you (hoti Christos Iesous estin en hymin): This points to the indwelling presence of Christ within believers through the Holy Spirit. It’s a core tenet of the Christian faith, the vital connection to Christ that enables spiritual life.
unless indeed (eige): This conditional particle introduces an exception.
you are disqualified (adokimoi este): Derived from a word for testing metals, "adokimos" signifies being proven false, spurious, or unacceptable upon examination. It implies failure to pass the test of genuine faith and relationship with Christ.
examine and test yourselves: These two verbs are closely related, both urging a deep and ongoing introspection to ensure the reality of one’s faith.
Christ Jesus is in you: This signifies the assurance of salvation and the transforming power of Christ’s presence as evidence of belonging to Him.
disqualified: This highlights the grave consequence of a faith that proves to be merely external or hypocritical, indicating a lack of true, saving relationship with Christ.
2 Corinthians 13 5 Bonus section
The theme of self-examination is not unique to this verse. Throughout Scripture, believers are exhorted to evaluate their spiritual walk, often in relation to the evidence of God's work in their lives or the integrity of their adherence to His commands. The "disqualified" (adokimos) imagery also appears in Paul’s letters regarding false apostles and in discussions of acceptable worship and service. This verse is particularly potent because it is Paul’s concluding statement, emphasizing a final, serious assessment before he personally visits them. It underlines that a truly transformed life is the ultimate authentication of genuine faith in Christ.
2 Corinthians 13 5 Commentary
Paul’s final plea is for self-reflection, urging believers to diligently assess the genuineness of their faith. The examination is not about earning salvation but about confirming one's secure standing in Christ, marked by His indwelling presence and the resulting transformation. Failing this introspection is to be found "disqualified"—a concept that resonates with the idea of a laborer or athlete being deemed unfit for service or competition. Genuine faith is characterized by an ongoing, inward examination and is evidenced by the Spirit's work and the reality of Christ’s presence within.
- Regularly checking one's spiritual "fruit" to see if it aligns with biblical teaching.
- Asking oneself: "Does my life reflect Christ's character, or am I pursuing worldly desires?"
- Reflecting on whether one's devotion to God feels real and sustained, not just occasional or superficial.