Fathers

2 Corinthians 13

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This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare; seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you. For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you. Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. But I hope that you will know that we aren’t disqualified. Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this: your becoming perfect. For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down. Finally, brothers, rejoice! Be perfected. Be comforted. Be of the same mind. Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 13:10

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Again even in this his apology he makes what he says more terrible, showing that it is not himself who is to punish, but God; for he added, "according to the authority which the Lord gave me;" and again, to show that he desires not to use his power to their punishment, he added, "not for casting down, but for building up." And he hinted indeed this now, as I said, but he left it to them to draw the conclusion that if they should continue unamended, even this again is building up, to punish those that are of such a mind. …

Homily 30 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Having greatly frightened them and put forth threats, he now presents a justification for this. I wrote thus because I desire that the threats and severity remain only in writing and not be carried out in reality; for I will certainly punish those who have not corrected themselves, since the Lord gave me authority. By this he shows that through him the Lord Himself punishes. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then, having given the admonition, he assigns the reason for it, saying, I write this while I am away from you, in order that when I come I may not have to be severe, i.e., I write these things to you in my absence to warn you, lest I be forced to do something against my will, which is that I may do nothing severe against you, except to the extent that I am compelled by you. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗