2 Corinthians 13:1-14 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

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Bible Comments

2 Corinthians 13:1. This is the third time I am coming to you. Compare the following texts. Acts 18:1; Acts 20:2-3; Acts 21:13. The difficulty here is removed by the admission, that his second coming was on a journey, and therefore not counted when he speaks of their having a second benefit. 2 Corinthians 1:15.

2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith. Those are here exhorted who had indulged in fornication and uncleanness, 2 Corinthians 12:21, and also the false apostles who had required a proof of Christ speaking by him. He had complied with this. Now he required them to give proof whether they were in the faith, and holy in their practice, lest on God's examination, they should be found reprobates. The Greek adokimoi signifies untried. It alludes to the touchstone, or tests of silver and other metals. It is rendered castaway in 1 Corinthians 9:27; and surely this caution was designed to prevent so great a calamity. Calvin lays no stress upon the text, from a leaning towards the doctrine of reprobation.

2 Corinthians 13:11. Be perfect: aim at carrying every grace to the highest possible perfection. The word is often applied to the perfecting of a building. It is applied also to the mending or perfecting of a broken net. Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19. See 2 Corinthians 7:1.

2 Corinthians 13:12. A holy kiss. The phliema agion of antiquity was this. The moment the blessing was pronounced, the women gave each other a kiss; for they sat separate from the men. The men often kissed each other on the cheek. This is called also the kiss of peace.

Related Commentaries of 2 Corinthians 13:1

2 Corinthians 13:1-14

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

2 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:

3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him,a but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

5 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?

6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

7 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.

8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.b

10 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.

11 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.

12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.

13 All the saints salute you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.