2 Corinthians 13 Study Notes
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13:1 On third time, see note at 12:14. The quotation from Dt 19:15 (testimony of two or three witnesses) established a pattern for verifying the truth of an accusation. Jesus affirmed it in Mt 18:16 as a principle for church discipline (1Tm 5:19). If the Corinthian sinners did not repent voluntarily, Paul would see to it that the congregation exercised the proper disciplinary procedure to expose and expel the evildoers.
13:2 Paul would not be lenient on his planned third visit to the Corinthian believers. His sense of apostolic authority is nowhere more evident than in this verse (see note at 1:1).
13:3-4 Paul identified himself with Christ, whose authority he bore. Christ’s crucifixion and Paul’s own ministry might be taken as proof that they were weak, but the resurrection showed Christ’s power, which Paul shared.
13:5 A believer never gets beyond the need for regular self-examination (1Co 11:28; Gl 6:4).
13:6-7 Profession of faith and possession of faith are two different matters. Paul would surely have agreed with the three tests for assurance of salvation identified in 1 John: the doctrinal test (believing the truth about Jesus Christ; 1Jn 2:22-23); the moral test (living according to Christ’s commands; 1Jn 2:3-4); and the love test (love for God and for those in God’s family; 1Jn 4:7-8).
13:8 The truth is expressed in 13:4.
13:9 The entire letter of 2 Corinthians may be thought of as a celebration of Paul’s weakness (see 4:8-9,17-18; 6:8-10; 11:23-27).
histēmi
| Greek pronunciation | [HIHSS tay mee] |
| CSB translation | establish |
| Uses in 2 Corinthians | 2 |
| Uses in the NT | 155 |
| Focus passage | 2 Corinthians 13:1 |
The Greek verb histēmi means to stand and has forty-seven related words that occur in the NT, such as anistēmi (to raise or stand up) and anastasis (resurrection). This gave rise to several figurative meanings referring to that which is firm, confirmed, established, appointed, or ordained.
For Paul, histÄ“mi most often served as a term for standing by faith (Rm 5:2; 11:20; 14:4; 1Co 10:12; 15:1; 2Co 1:24; Eph 6:11,13-14; Col 4:12). In discussing the nature of the law, Paul used histÄ“mi in teaching that those justified by faith uphold rather than cancel the law, since the law also teaches salvation by faith and not works (Rm 3:31). Similarly, Paul used histÄ“mi in reference to those who “establish their own righteousness” as opposed to those who submit to God’s righteousness (Rm 10:3)— another contrast between faith and works as the basis of salvation. Paul also used histÄ“mi in quoting the Greek OT to establish a principle for church discipline that he would apply on his next visit: “Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”(2Co 13:1; see Dt 19:15).
13:10 The phrase when I am there is a reference to Paul’s third visit to the Corinthians. This is the second and last time in the letter that Paul used the term authority (10:8). In both cases, he noted that his calling was to build up, not tear down.
13:11 The verb rendered rejoice is sometimes translated “farewell,” but “rejoice” is better.
13:12 Five NT epistles end with an encouragement for Christians to show appropriate affection with a holy kiss (v. 12; Rm 16:16; 1Co 16:20; 1Th 5:26; 1Pt 5:14). The exact expression of this practice will vary from culture to culture. In every case it must be holy and not open to a charge of sexual suggestiveness or insincerity, as in the case of Judas, who betrayed Jesus with a kiss (Mt 26:48-49).
13:13 On grace, see note at 1:2. This Trinitarian benediction (Lord Jesus Christ . . . God . . . Holy Spirit) has been frequently used to conclude worship services. See 1:21-22 and 3:17 for other references in the letter that point to the Trinity.