Fathers

2 Corinthians 13

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

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.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 13:7

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

But what? "That ye should do that which is honorable," we pray for this, that ye should ever live in virtue, ever in amendment; "and we should be as reprobate," not displaying our power of punishing. And he said not, "reprobate" for he would not "be" reprobate, even though he did not punish, nay rather for this very reason he would be "approved;" "but even if some suspect us," he says, "on account of our not displaying our power, to be contemptible and cast away, we care nothing for this. …

Homily 29 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Note his mercy. He was despised, reviled as a man having no power and only boasting in writing; yet he not only cancels the punishment, but even implores them not to sin, so as not to bring him to the necessity of punishing. For I am not striving to appear "what I ought to be" and as one having the power to punish, but that you should always do good and repent if you sin; and let me be considered "not what I ought to be," that is, let me seem to many to be weak and powerless, as one who found no occasion to punish you. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, But we pray God, he excludes the suspicion. For he had threatened them with a severe judgment when he mentioned his power to judge, and suggested an examination, trusting that Christ was in them, unless they were reprobate. Nevertheless he leaves in doubt the question whether Christ be in them. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗