2 Corinthians 13:1-14
Examine Yourselves
1This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
2I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,
3since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is powerful among you.
4For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. For we are also weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him concerning you.
5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test?
6And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test.
7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, but that you will do what is right, even if we appear to have failed.
8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
9In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.
10This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
11Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
12Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13All the saints send you greetings.
14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Berean Standard Bible
Paul says this will be his third visit to Corinth, and he recalls the rule that every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. He has already warned those who sinned, and now he warns them again in his absence. If he returns, he will not spare persistent wrongdoing.
The Corinthians have demanded proof that Christ is speaking through Paul. Paul answers that Christ is not weak in dealing with them, even though Christ was crucified in weakness. The same Jesus who lives by God's power is the One through whom Paul will address the church.
Then Paul turns the test toward the Corinthians: examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. This is not a command to spiral into anxious self-inspection or to treat one bad day as proof that Christ is absent. It is a call to let the reality of faith become visible in a life that is being changed.
Paul prays that they will do what is right, even if it makes him look as though he failed. His authority is for truth and their good, not for winning a personal contest. He wants their perfection, or restoration to maturity, and he writes while absent so that he will not need to be severe when present.
The letter closes warmly: rejoice, pursue restoration, encourage one another, agree with one another, and live in peace. The God of love and peace will be with them. Paul blesses them with the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
How We Know
Deuteronomy 19:15 supplies the principle of establishing a matter by two or three witnesses. In 1 Corinthians 11:28-32, Paul also uses self-examination to call believers toward honest participation and correction rather than condemnation. These companion texts help keep examination connected to truth, repentance, and restoration.
Questions
1 What principle does Paul recall about testimony?
AnswerHe recalls that every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
2 What does Paul tell the Corinthians to examine?
AnswerHe tells them to examine themselves to see whether their lives show the reality of faith in Christ.
3 What does Paul pray they will do?
AnswerHe prays that they will do what is right, even if he appears to have failed.
4 How does Paul want to use his authority?
AnswerHe wants to use it to build them up rather than tear them down or win a contest for personal authority.
What This Means for Us
Self-examination should lead somewhere. Ask where your life is moving, receive truthful correction from trustworthy people, and make a concrete repair when you see that you have caused harm.
Do not use this command to make a child or a struggling believer live under constant suspicion. The closing call is to restoration, encouragement, peace, and the presence of the God who loves His people.
Prayer
God of love and peace, search us with mercy and truth. Lead us to repentance where it is needed, protect us from condemnation and pride, and make our authority and choices serve restoration. Amen.