Text -- 2 Corinthians 13:1-13 (NET)

Paul’s Third Visit to Corinth

13:1 This is the third time I am coming to visit you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter will be established. 13:2 I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone, 13:3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you but is powerful among you. 13:4 For indeed he was crucified by reason of weakness, but he lives because of God’s power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him, because of God’s power toward you. 13:5 Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you– unless, indeed, you fail the test! 13:6 And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test! 13:7 Now we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong, not so that we may appear to have passed the test, but so that you may do what is right even if we may appear to have failed the test. 13:8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth. 13:9 For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified. 13:10 Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority– the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!

Final Exhortations and Greetings

13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. 13:13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 2Co 13:1

¹ tn The word “visit” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.

² tn Grk “By the mouth.”

³ sn A quotation from Deut 19:15 (also quoted in Matt 18:16; 1 Tim 5:19).

NET Notes: 2Co 13:2

¹ tn The word “anyone” is not in the Greek text but is implied.

NET Notes: 2Co 13:3

¹ tn Grk “who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

NET Notes: 2Co 13:5

¹ tn Or “unless indeed you are disqualified.”

NET Notes: 2Co 13:6

¹ tn Or “that we are not disqualified.”

NET Notes: 2Co 13:7

¹ tn Or “that we may appear to be approved.”

² tn Or “what is good.”

³ tn Or “even if we appear disapproved.”

NET Notes: 2Co 13:9

¹ tn Or “fully equipped.”

NET Notes: 2Co 13:10

¹ tn Grk “when I am present,” but in the context of Paul’s third (upcoming) visit to Corinth, this is better translated as “when I arrive.”

² tn The words “with you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.

NET Notes: 2Co 13:11

¹ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:8.

NET Notes: 2Co 13:12

¹ sn The versification of vv. 12 and 13 in the NET Bible (so also NRSV, NLT) is according to the versification in the NA²⁷ and UBS⁴ editions of the Greek text. Some translations, however, break the material up into three verses, i.e., 12-14 (NKJV, NASB, NIV). The same material has been translated in each case; the only difference is the versification of that material.

NET Notes: 2Co 13:13

¹ tn Or “communion.”