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 13:6

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate." What followed naturally was to have said, "but if ye have become reprobate, yet we have not." He doth not, however, say so, for fear of wounding them, but he hints it in an obscure manner, without either making the assertion thus, "ye are reprobate," or proceeding by question and saying, "But if ye are reprobate," but leaving out even this way of putting it by question, he indicates it obscurely by adding, "But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate."

Homily 29 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

In these words is contained a strong threat, for their meaning is as follows: you desire to acquire proof by means of punishment; and I hope that we will be in a position to give you evidence that we are "what we ought to be," and have not been deprived of the gift of signs and powers. Or else: we have not become so corrupt in our life that Christ should have to abandon us. He abides in us on account of our pious life and will punish the unbelievers who are among you.

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

What they might find in the Apostle is mentioned when he says, I hope you will find out that we have not failed. For since those Corinthians could say, "We are not reprobates, but we do not on that account hold to your teachings, because you are not right and should be repudiated." Therefore he says, whatever the case may be with yourselves, I hope that from our life and doctrine, which we have disclosed to you, you will find out that we have not failed and have not taught evil or are excluded from the power we say we have: "A wise …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗