2 Corinthians 13:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 13:1-6

In these verses observe, I. The apostle threatens to be severe against obstinate sinners when he should come to Corinth, having now sent to them a first and second epistle, with proper admonitions and exhortations, in order to reform what was amiss among them. Concerning this we may notice, 1. The caution with which he proceeded in his censures: he was not hasty in using severity, but gave a first and second admonition. So some understand his words (2 Cor. 13:1): This is the third time I am... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 13:1-14

13 For the third time I am coming to you. Everything will be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses. To those who have already sinned and to all others I have already said, and I now say, just as I said it when I was with you on my second visit, now I say it while I am absent, that if I come to you again, I will not spare you. I will take decisive action because you are looking for a proof that Christ really is speaking in me, Christ who is not weak where you are concerned, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith ,.... These words are to be considered in connection with 2 Corinthians 13:3 for seeing they sought and demanded a proof the voice and power of Christ in the apostle, he directs them to self examination, to look within themselves, to try, prove, and recognise their own souls; where if things were right, they would find a proof of Christ's speaking in him, to them: he advises them to examine the state of their own souls, and see whether they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith - Ἑαυτους πειραζετε· Try yourselves; pierce your hearts; bore yourselves throughout; try yourselves by what I have written, and see whether ye retain the true faith of the Gospel. Prove your own selves - Ἑαυτους δοκιμαζετε· Put yourselves to the test, as you would try gold or silver suspected of adulteration. No more take that for Gospel which is not so, than you would take adulterated money for sterling coin. This is a metaphor taken... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 13:5

Verse 5 5.Try yourselves. He confirms, what he had stated previously — that Christ’s power showed itself openly in his ministry. For he makes them the judges of this matter, provided they descend, as it were, into themselves, and acknowledge what they had received from him. In the first place, as there is but one Christ, it must be of necessity, that the same Christ must dwell alike in minister and people. Now, dwelling in the people, how will he deny himself in the minister. (955) Farther, he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 13:1-14

Paul's epistolary farewell to the Corinthians. "This is the third time I am coming to you, etc. This chapter concludes Paul's letters to the Corinthians. There is no evidence that he wrote a word to them after this. The letters had evidently been a task to him. To a man of his tender nature no duty could be more painful than that of censure and reproach. Nothing but a sense of loyalty to the holiness of Christianity could have urged him to it. no doubt he felt a burden rolled from his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 13:5

Prove year ownselves. In other words, "test your own sincerity." Jesus Christ is in you. To this truth—that the body of every Christian is a temple of the Holy Spirit of Christ—St. Paul returns again and again ( Galatians 2:20 ; Galatians 4:19 ; Ephesians 3:17 ; Colossians 1:27 ). We find the same truth frequently in St. John ( John 15:4 , John 15:5 ; 1 John 3:24 , etc.). Except ye be reprobates. The Greek word adokimoi— from the same root as the verb "to test"—means... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 13:5

I. POINTS ON WHICH SELF - EXAMINATION IS REQUIRED . They relate to your connection with Jesus Christ—whether he is in you and you are in the faith. It is assumed that the word of faith has been preached; then follows the question—How does this Word affect or influence you? It is easy to hear it and give it a formal assent—but this is not enough. Are you really in the faith? Does the truth compass you about and impress itself on all your views, motives, and principles of action?... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves - see the note on 1 Corinthians 11:28. The particular reason why Paul calls on them to examine themselves was, that there was occasion to fear that many of them had been deceived. Such had been the irregularities and disorders in the church at Corinth; so ignorant had many of them shown themselves of the nature of the Christian religion, that it was important, in the highest degree, for them to institute a strict and impartial examination to ascertain whether they had not... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

2 Corinthians 13:5-6. Examine yourselves, &c. You examine and try me, but let me admonish you to turn the search into your own hearts, that ye may know, with certainty, whether ye be in the faith Whether ye possess true and saving faith in Christ and his gospel, and are therefore true Christians. For if, on a strict inquiry, you find that you are, you will therein find a proof of my being a true apostle, as it is by means of my ministry that you are become such. Prove your own selves... read more

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