Fathers

2 Corinthians 13

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This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. 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. 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? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 13:5

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For why speak I of myself," he says, "the teacher, who have so much care upon me and am entrusted with the whole world and have done such great miracles. For if ye will but examine yourselves who are in the rank of disciples, ye will see that Christ is in you also. But if in you, then much more in your teacher. For if ye have faith, Christ is in you also." For they who then believed wrought miracles. Wherefore also he added, "Try your own selves, prove your own selves, whether ye be in the faith. …

Homily 29 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

And what am I saying about myself, that Christ speaks in me, that I am powerful, even though I imitate Him who was crucified and do not proceed to punishment. For you too, if you wish to test yourselves, will see Christ in yourselves, since you all have faith — either ordinary faith, or in particular — wonder-working faith (for believers at that time performed miracles). Thus, if Christ is in you — my disciples — then all the more so in me, the teacher. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Clement of Alexandria

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered," says the Lord; those on the chin, too, are numbered, and those on the whole body. There must be therefore no plucking out, contrary to God's appointment, which has counted them in according to His will. "Know ye not yourselves," says the apostle, "that Christ Jesus is in you?" Whom, had we known as dwelling in us, I know not how we could have dared to dishonour.

The Instructor Book 3 ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

After threatening God's severe judgment, the Apostle warns them to be ready, so that they will not experience a severe judgment. First, he gives the admonition; secondly, he assigns the reason for it (v. 10). In regard to the first he does two things. First, he presents the admonition; secondly, he excludes a false suspicion (v. 7). In regard to the first he does two things. First, he advises them to examine themselves; secondly, he suggests what they will be able to find through such an examination (v. 5b). …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗