NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Co 13:1-4 1This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 2I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, 3since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.
2Co 13:1 "This is the third time I am coming to you" This gives textual credence to the theory of Paul's painful visit to Corinth between the writing of I and 2 Corinthians (cf. 2Co 12:14 ). This visit is not recorded in the book of Acts.
▣ "every fact" This begins a quote from Deu 19:15 (cf. Num 35:30 ; Deu 17:6 ; Mat 18:16 ; 1Ti 5:19 ), which deals with court procedures. To what does it refer in this chapter? There are two possibilities.
1. It refers to the church's evaluation of Paul. He had been there twice and shared with them. They were responsible and would be held accountable as hearers of the truth.
2. It refers to church discipline related to a group within the church.
a. the factious groups of 1 Corinthians 1-4 (cf. 2Co 12:20 )
b. an immoral group (cf. 2Co 12:21 )
c. the "super apostles" or false teachers with connections to Jerusalem and Judaism (chapters 1:0-13 , especially 2Co 11:13-15 )
NASB "is to be confirmed"
NKJV "shall be established"
NRSV "must be sustained"
TEV "must be upheld"
NJB "is required"
The form of this verb is a future passive indicative (cf. NKJV), but Barbara and Timothy Friberg, Analytical Greek New Testament, p. 573, say it is functioning as an aorist passive imperative (cf. NRSV, NJB). See Special Topic: Stand (Histçmi) at 1Co 15:1 .
2Co 13:2 "those who have sinned in the past and all the rest as well" This seems to relate to two groups. The first "who have sinned in the past" (perfect active participle), must refer to those believers at Corinth who heard Paul twice, but still rebelled against his leadership. This would be the factious groups of 1 Corinthians 1-4 or an immoral group (cf. 2Co 12:20-21 ; 1 Corinthians 5).
The phrase "and all the rest" seems to relate to those who were not present both times, possibly the false apostles from Jerusalem and their supporters, which are the focus of chapters 1:0-13 . However, both groups/all groups are put on notice that Paul wants them to deal with the problems, but if they do not, he will!
▣ "if" This is a third class conditional sentence, but it is used in the sense of "when" (cf. Joh 16:7 and 1Jn 3:2 ).
▣ "I will not spare anyone" Paul uses this term in a positive sense in 1Co 7:23 and 2Co 1:23 , but in a judicial sense both here and in 2Co 12:6 (cf. 2Co 10:11 ).
2Co 13:3 "proof" This concept of testing is recurrent in this context. There is a sustained word play between the connotations of two Greek terms, dokimazô and peirazô.
For the full word study see Special Topic at 1Co 3:13 .
▣ "of the Christ who speaks in me" Some at Corinth were challenging Paul's authority. They were "testing" Paul! In 2Co 13:5 Paul will "test" them! Christ's presence in Paul had been confirmed (cf. 2Co 12:12 ).
▣ "is not weak" Weakness is God's way to victory as illustrated in Jesus' life (cf. 2Co 13:4 ) and Paul's life (cf. 2Co 10:1 ; 2Co 10:11 ; 2Co 12:9 ; 2Co 13:9 ). No human being will glory before God for spiritual accomplishments that are a direct result of who God is and not who we are. It is God's resources which accomplish spiritual results! Believers must allow His power to flow through their need and helplessness. See SPECIAL TOPIC: WEAKNESS <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/weakness.html> at 2Co 12:9 .
2Co 13:3-4 are the summary antithesis of the rhetorically arrogant false teachers. They claimed a superiority from
1. racial lineage
2. personal charismatic experience
3. superior Sophistic, rhetorical training
4. personal comparisons
▣ "toward you. . .in you" This plural "you" shows that Paul is referring to a congregational experience, not personal experience (cf. 2Co 13:5 ). Possibly the TEV translation, "among you," catches the flavor.
2Co 13:4 "crucified" Paul uses several terms to describe Jesus' death:
1. death (cf. Rom 5:6 ff; Rom 8:34 ; Rom 14:15 ; 1Co 8:11 ; 1Co 15:3 ; 2Co 5:15 ; Gal 2:21 ; 1Th 4:14 ; 1Th 5:10 )
2. blood (cf. Rom 3:25 ; Rom 5:9 ; Eph 1:7 ; Eph 2:13 ; Col 1:20 )
3. cross (cf. 1Co 1:17-18 ; Gal 5:11 ; Gal 6:12 ; Gal 6:14 ; Eph 2:16 ; Php 2:8 ; Col 1:20 ; Col 2:14 )
▣ "yet He lives because of the power of God" It is phrases like this that caused so many Christological controversies in the early church. Is not Jesus God also? Does the human Jesus live by the power of a separate deity (i.e., YHWH)? One cannot build a systematic understanding on one verse or selected verses, but must try to unify all of the theological concepts into an integrated whole. See Special Topic: Monotheism at 1Co 8:4 .
Usually the terminology of this verse is used to affirm that God the Father, as an act of approval, raised the Son (cf. Act 2:24 ; Act 3:15 ; Act 4:10 ; Act 5:30 ; Act 10:40 ; Act 13:30 ; Act 13:33-34 ; Act 13:37 ; Act 17:31 ; Rom 1:4 ; Rom 6:4 ; Rom 6:9 ; Rom 8:11 ; Rom 10:9 ; 1Co 6:14 ; 2Co 4:14 ; Gal 1:1 ; Eph 1:20 ; Col 2:12 ; 1Th 1:10 ). However, there are other inspired texts that affirm that (1) the Spirit raised the Son (cf. Rom 8:11 ) or (2) the Son raised Himself (cf. Joh 2:19-22 ; Joh 10:17-18 ).
▣ "we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him" Paul's understanding of Christianity was an identification of the believers in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. As He lived a humble, gentle, and misunderstood life, so will we; as He died in service to others, so should we; as He was raised, so are we (i.e., new life now) and will be (i.e., resurrection body at the Second Coming).
This identification theology is so evident in Romans 6. Paul wrote Romans while he was dealing with Corinth. Paul's systematic understanding of Christianity (i.e., Romans) was fleshed out while he was working with this dysfunctional church.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Co 13:5-10 5Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test? 6But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. 7Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. 8For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. 9For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. 10For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
2Co 13:5 "Test yourselves" This is a present active imperative. This is the word peirazô, which means "to test with a view toward destruction." See full note at 1Co 3:13 . They had tested Paul; now they must be tested themselves!
▣ "if" This is a first class conditional sentence, which is assumed to be true. Paul is not doubting their faith, but challenging them to wake up!
▣ "the faith" The Greek term "faith" (pistis) is translated into English by three terms: faith, believe, or trust. See Special Topic at 1Co 2:4 . Faith is used in three senses in the NT: (1) as personal acceptance of Jesus as the Christ of God; (2) as faithfully living for Him; and (3) as a body of truths about Him (cf. 2Co 13:3 ; Gal 1:23 ; Gal 3:23-25 ). Mature Christianity involves all three senses.
▣ "examine yourselves" Paul repeats his command (i.e., another present active imperative), but uses the other term (i.e., dokimazô) for testing, which implies to test with a view toward approval. See Special Topic at 1Co 3:13 .
▣ "recognize" This is the Greek term epigniôskô (i.e., present active indicative), which usually denotes experiential full knowledge.
▣ "Jesus Christ is in you" As 2Co 13:4 focused on the corporate aspect, this phrase (using the same preposition and plural pronoun) may refer to a more individual aspect. Christ is surely among His people, but also in each of His people! The ministries of Jesus and the Spirit are so closely linked that often the Spirit is called the Spirit of Christ (cf. Rom 8:9 ; 1Pe 1:11 ). Jesus is even said to indwell believers (cf. Joh 14:23 ; Rom 8:10 ; Col 1:27 . Also notice Mat 28:20 ). See SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS AND THE SPIRIT <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/jesus_and_the_spirit.html> at 2Co 3:17 .
▣ "unless indeed you fail the test" This phrase is parallel to "if you are in the faith" in 2Co 13:5 . Paul has asserted in several ways (i.e., first class conditional sentence in 2Co 13:5 and the use of dokimazô) that he believes his readers are believers, but not all of them. There is a contingent of false teachers who do not know Christ (see SPECIAL TOPIC: APOSTASY (APHISTÇMI) <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/apostasy.html> at 1Co 6:9 ). This clause relates to them.
This clause does not relate to sinful believers because Paul addresses them in 2Co 12:20-21 . They need to repent, but the false teachers need Christ (cf Matthew 7).
Paul used this very same term in 1Co 9:27 as the reason why he struggled to keep himself under God's control. Paul did not want to be "disqualified" or rejected. Believers are challenged to check up on themselves (cf. Php 2:12 ).
2Co 13:6 Paul is asserting that he and his helpers have passed the test (i.e., not counterfeits, adokimos, cf. 2Co 13:7 ), especially in relation to the church at Corinth. If they have the indwelling Christ, then Paul's ministry was effective.
2Co 13:7 In a sense a strong, orthodox Corinthian church would affirm Paul's leadership and Apostolic credentials. He is more concerned that they do what is right and appropriate because of God and the gospel, not just to show Paul's credentials or affirm his leadership (cf. 2Co 13:9 ).
▣ "approved. . .unapproved" Paul continues this word play on dokimos and adokimos.
2Co 13:8 The truth in this context refers to the gospel as a person (i.e., Jesus the Messiah), as a message (i.e., the gospel about Jesus), and as a lifestyle (i.e., emulation of Jesus' life).
SPECIAL TOPIC: "TRUTH" IN PAUL'S WRITINGS <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/truth_pauls_writings.html>
2Co 13:9 "we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong" This is Paul's paradox. He knows that spiritual power is released through human weakness (cf. 2Co 12:10 ; 2Co 13:4 ). Therefore, he wants to remain weak. However, for the Corinthian church to be strong, she too, must become weak. This is so opposite of the way people evaluate life. The false teachers have asserted strength through education, lineage, experience, but Paul asserts strength through Christ's example (cf. 2Co 13:4 ).
▣ "that you be made complete" The noun form of this term is found only here in the NT. The verb means "to knit together." Paul used the verb form in 1Co 1:10 , which calls on the Corinthian church to end its factious divisions. Now at the end of 2 Corinthians he returns to this mandate (i.e., unity which will result in spiritual adequacies).
Louw and Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, vol. 1, p. 680, asserts that artios (i.e., complete, adequate, fully equipped for the assigned task), with all its different prepositional compounds (i.e., epi and kata), are all synonyms (cf. Luk 6:40 ; 2Co 13:9 ; 2Co 13:11 ; Eph 4:12 ; 2Ti 3:17 ).
Paul wants a functioning, unified, loving church in Corinth (cf. 2Co 13:11 ). For this to occur there must be forgiveness, reconciliation, and church discipline (cf. Gal 6:1 ).
2Co 13:10 Paul did not want to make another painful visit to Corinth (cf. 2Co 2:3-4 ). He did not want to come wrapped in his Apostolic authority, but in parental love. However, the response of the church determined how he must act.
▣ "with the authority which the Lord gave me" This exact phrase appears in 2Co 10:8 . This Apostolic authority, whether in personal presence or from afar (cf. 1Co 5:4 ), has Christ's authority (cf. 2Co 12:19 ; 2Co 13:3 ). This authority was given to Paul in the Damascus road encounter (cf. Acts 9, 22, 26).
▣ "building up" See Special Topic: Edify at 1Co 8:1 .
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Co 13:11-13 11Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13All the saints greet you.
2Co 13:11 "Finally" Literally this is "for the rest" (cf. Gal 6:17 ). This is a characteristic concluding phrase for Paul (cf. Eph 6:10 ; Php 3:1 ; Php 4:8 ; 2Th 3:1 ). It usually marks a transition to a closing point.
▣ "brethren" What a beautiful and comforting way to close this difficult letter to a problem church. It also functions as a literary device to signal the transition to a new subject.
▣ There is a series of five present imperatives.
1. "rejoice" (present active imperative). Paul often uses this term in 2 Corinthians (cf. 2Co 2:3 ; 2Co 6:10 ; 2Co 7:7 ; 2Co 7:9 ; 2Co 7:13 ; 2Co 7:16 ; 2Co 13:9 ; 2Co 13:11 ). This term can mean "good bye" (cf. Php 3:1 ; Php 4:4 ), but this does not fit a series of imperatives.
2. "be made complete" (present passive imperative). This speaks of unity and service (cf. 2Co 13:9 ).
4. "be like-minded" (present active imperative). This Greek term has many connotations (cf. Louw and Nida, vol. 2, p. 259), but in this context it is parallel to "be made complete." This refers to unity for the sake of the gospel. This is not asserting that believers must agree about every issue, but that they must disagree in love and that the gospel should always have priority over personal opinions or preferences!
5. "live in peace" (present active imperative). This surely reflects 1 Corinthians 1-4 and 2 Corinthians 1:0-13 . It is uncertain how these problems relate, but both caused disunity and contention. Paul commands peace, not by compromise, but by Christlikeness. The God of peace (cf. 2Co 13:11 ) will help us in our weakness!
▣ "the God of love and peace" What a wonderful descriptive title for YHWH. YHWH is often connected with "peace" (cf. Rom 15:33 ; Rom 16:20 ; 1Co 14:33 ; Php 4:9 ; 1Th 5:23 ; Heb 13:20 ). He is called the "Lord of peace" in 2Th 3:16 . Love and peace are both mentioned in Eph 6:23 .
Believers must emulate these characteristics in their relationships with one another.
2Co 13:12 "Greet" This can be translated "bid farewell" (cf. Act 20:1 ; Act 21:6 ). It conveys an attitude of acceptance and cooperation. The opposite attitude is expressed in Mat 5:47 .
Just a comment about the numbering of these last two verses. Some English translations combine 2Co 13:12-13 (TEV, NJB, RSV, NRSV), while others break it into two verses (KJV, NKJV, NASB, NIV).
▣ "holy kiss" This custom (i.e., between family members and friends) was later stopped because of pagan misunderstanding (i.e., erotic kissing). In the early church the men kissed the men and the women kissed the women (i.e., following the custom of the synagogue, cf. Rom 16:16 ; 1Co 16:20 ; 1Th 5:26 ). See note at 1Co 16:20 .
This is an imperative. Does this mean that Christians must greet each other in this specific manner? Here is a good example of how culture and future situations must affect interpretation. The form is not the issue, but the attitude. Believers are a family.
2Co 13:13 "All the saints" This phrase refers not only to Paul and his missionary team, but "all the saints" (i.e., all of Paul's other churches). There was a tension between Corinth and these other churches. There was an air of superiority about this church. Paul addressed this issue by mentioning several times the standards he taught in all the churches (cf. 1Co 4:17 ; 1Co 7:17 ; 1Co 11:16 ; 1Co 11:34 ; 1Co 14:33 ). Corinth must be a part of the family, not a privileged, elite member. See SPECIAL TOPIC: SAINTS <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/saints.html> at 1Co 1:2 .
In their current crisis, all of the congregations started by Paul sent their greetings, which implies fellowship, concern, cooperation, prayer, and acceptance.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Co 13:14 14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
2Co 13:14 Paul always closes his letters in a prayer or benediction, but this one is unique. It combines three aspects of God's character with the three persons of the Trinity. It is also unusual that Jesus is mentioned first. For the full notes on "Trinity" see the Special Topic at 1Co 2:10 .
The three aspects of God: grace, love, and fellowship, are for "all" believers at Corinth. This is a crucial part of the prayer. Paul wants to restore unity among believers yet recognize and reject false believers.
Paul used a scribe to write his letters, but probably took the pen himself to write the last prayer personally (cf. 2Th 3:17 ). Paul loved this church!
▣ "the fellowship of the Holy Spirit" See Special Topics at 1Co 1:9 ; 1Co 12:11 .
1. This will be the third. He goes on to reprove still farther the insolence of those of whom he had been speaking, some of whom living in profligacy and licentiousness, and others, carrying on contentions and strifes among themselves, cared nothing for his reproof. For his discourse did not apply to the entire body of the Church, but to certain diseased and half-rotten members of it. Hence he now, with greater freedom, uses sharpness, because he has to do with particular individuals, not with the whole body of the people, and besides this, it was with persons of such a stamp, that he perceived, that he would do them no good by kindness, and mild remedies. After having spent a year and a half among them, (Act 18:11,) he had visited them a second time. Now he forewarns them, that he will come to them a third time, and he says, that his three comings to them will be in the place of three witnesses. He quotes the law as to the authority of witnesses; not in the natural and literal sense, as it is termed, but by accommodation, (943) or similitude, applying it to his particular purpose.
“The declaration of the law,” says he, “is, that we must rest on the testimony of two or three witnesses for putting an end to disputes.” (944) (Deu 19:15.)
For the word established means that a decision is pronounced respecting a matter, that the strife may cease. “I, indeed, am but one individual, but coming a third time I shall have the authority of three witnesses, or, my three comings will be in the place of three testimonies.” For the threefold effort that was made for their welfare, and perseverance, as made trial of on three different occasions, might, with good reason, be held equivalent to three persons.
(943) “Anagogen ”
(944) “This is only an allusion: it is taken, with a trifling abridgement, from the Alexandrine copy of the Septuagint, which is an exact translation of the Hebrew. ” — Horne’s Introduction, (Lond. 1823,) volume 2 — Ed.
2. I told you before, and foretell you. The friendly and agreeable admonitions, that he had addressed to them so frequently, had been of no advantage. He, accordingly, betakes himself to a more severe remedy, with which he had previously threatened them in words when present with them. When we see him act with so much strictness, we need have no doubt, that they were surprisingly ungovernable and obstinate; for it appears from his writings, what mildness, and what unwearied patience he was otherwise prepared to manifest. As, however, it is the part of a good parent to forgive and bear with many things, so it is the part of a foolish parent, and one that has no proper regard for the welfare of his children, to neglect to use severity, when there is occasion for it, and to mingle strictness with mildness. We are well aware, that nothing is more hurtful than excessive indulgence (945) Let us, therefore, use mildness, when we can safely do so, and that too, dignified and properly regulated: let us act with greater severity, when necessity requires.
It is asked, however, why it was, that the Apostle allowed himself to expose the particular faults of individuals in so open a manner, as in a manner to point his finger at the very persons? I answer, that he would never have done so, if the sins had been hid, but as they were manifest to all, and matter of notoriety, so as to furnish a pernicious example, it was necessary that he should not spare the authors of a public scandal. (946)
It is asked, secondly, what kind of chastisement he threatens to inflict upon them, as he could scarcely chastise them more severely in words. I have no doubt that he means, that he will inflict punishment upon them by excommunication. For what is more to be dreaded, than being cut off from the body of Christ, expelled from the kingdom of God, and delivered over to Satan for destruction, (1. o 5:5,) unless you repent?
(945) “Vn abandon desmesure, et douceur trop grande;” — “Excessive indulgence, and too great sweetness.”
(946) It might almost seem as if Baxter must have had this passage of Calvin in his eye, when penning his celebrated apology for animadverting so freely on the faults of the ministers of religion in his times. “If it should be objected, that I should not have spoken so plainly and sharply against the sins of the ministry, or that I should not have published it to the view of the world, or, at least, that I should have done it in another tongue, and not in the ears of the vulgar. When the sin is open in the sight of the world, it is in vain to attempt to hide it; and when the sin is public, the confession should also be public. If the ministers of England had sinned only in Latin, I would have made shift to have admonished them in Latin, or else should have said nothing to them. But if they will sin in English, they must hear of it in English. ” — Baxter’s Reformed Pastor, (Glasgow, 1829,) pp. 60, 61. — Ed.
3. Since ye seek a proof A twofold meaning may be drawn from these words. The first is, “Since you wish to try me, whether I speak of myself, or whether Christ speaks by me;” and in this way Chrysostom, and Ambrose, explain it. I am rather inclined, however, to understand him as declaring, that it does not so much concern himself as Christ, when his authority is detracted from — that when his admonitions are despised, Christ’s patience is tried. “It is Christ that speaks by me; when therefore, you bring my doctrine under your lash, it is not so much to me as to him that you do injury.”
Some one, however, will object thus: “What! Will a man’s doctrine, then, be exempted from all investigation, so soon as he makes it his boast, that he has Christ as his authority? And what false prophet will not make this his boast? What distinction, then, will there be between truth and falsehood, and what will, in that case, become of that injunction:
Try the spirits, whether they are of God.” (1. o 4:1.)
Every objection of this nature Paul anticipates, when he says that Christ has wrought efficaciously in them by his ministry. For these two clauses, Christ speaking in me, and, who is mighty in you, not weak, must be read in connection, in this sense: “Christ, by exercising his power towards you in my doctrine, has declared that he spoke by my mouth, so that you have no excuse on the ground of ignorance.”
We see, that he does not merely boast in words, but proves in reality that Christ speaks in him, and he convinces the Corinthians, before requiring them to give him credit. Whoever, then, will speak in the Church, whatever be the title that he claims for himself, it will be allowable to inquire as to his doctrine, until Christ has manifested himself in him, and thus it will not be of Christ that judgment will be formed, but of the man. When, however, it is apparent, that it is the word of God that is advanced, what Paul says holds good — that it is God himself who is not believed (947) Moses spake with the same confidence. (Num 16:11.)
What are we — I and Aaron? You are tempting God.
In like manner, Isaiah:
Is it too small a thing that you grieve men,
unless you grieve my God also? (Isa 7:13.)
For there is no more room for shuffling, when it has been made apparent, that it is a minister of God that speaks, and that he discharges his office faithfully. I return to Paul. As the confirmation of his ministry had been so decided among the Corinthians, inasmuch as the Lord had shown himself openly, it is not to be wondered, if he takes it so much amiss, that he meets with resistance. On good grounds, truly, (948) might he throw back upon them, as he does, the reproach, that they were rebels against Christ.
(947) “Que si on ne la recoit, cest oster a Dieu son authorite;” — “That if this is not received, that is to take from God the authority, which belongs to him.”
(948) “Tant y a qu’il auoit bonne occasion et droict;” — “To such an extent had he good occasion and right.”
4. For though he was crucified. He speaks, with particular intention, of Christ’s abasement, with the view of intimating indirectly, (949) that nothing was despised in him, but what they would have been prepared to despise, also, in Christ himself, inasmuch as he
emptied himself, even to the death of the cross.
(Phi 2:8.)
He shows, however, at the same time, how absurd it is to despise in Christ (950) the abasement of the cross, inasmuch as it is conjoined with the incomparable glory of his resurrection. “Shall Christ be esteemed by you the less, because he showed signs of weakness in his death, as if his heavenly life, that he leads subsequently to his resurrection, were not a clear token of his Divine power?” For as the term flesh here means Christ’s human nature, (951) so the word God is taken here to denote his Divinity.
Here, however, a question arises — whether Christ labored under such infirmity as to be subjected to necessity against his will; for, what we suffer through weakness, we suffer from constraint, and not from our own choice. As the Arians of old abused this pretext for effectually opposing the divinity of Christ, the orthodox Fathers gave this explanation of it — that it was effected by appointment, inasmuch as Christ so desired, and not from his being constrained by any necessity. This answer is true, provided it be properly understood. There are some, however, that mistakenly extend the appointment to Christ’s human will — as if this were not the condition of his nature, but a permission contrary to his nature. For example: “His dying,” they say, “did not happen because his humanity was, properly speaking, liable to death, but by appointment, because he chose to die.” I grant, indeed, that he died, because he chose to do so; but, whence came this choice, but from this — that he had, of his own accord, clothed himself with a mortal nature (952) If, however, we make Christ’s human nature so unlike ours, the main support of our faith is overturned. Let us, therefore, understand it in this way — that Christ suffered by appointment, not by constraint, because, being in the form of God he could have exempted himself from this necessity, but, nevertheless, he suffered through weakness, because he emptied himself (Phi 2:6.)
We are weak in him. To be weak in Christ means here to be a partaker of Christ’s weakness. Thus he makes his own weakness glorious, because in it he is conformed to Christ, and he no longer shrinks back from the disgrace, that he has in common with the Son of God; but, in the mean time, he says that he will live towards them after Christ’s example. “I also,” says he, “will be a partaker of Christ’s life, after I shall have been exempted from weakness.” (953) To weakness he opposes life, and, accordingly, he understands by this term a condition that is flourishing, and full of honor. (954) The clause towards you may also be taken in connection with the power of God, but it is of no importance, as the meaning always remains the same — that the Corinthians, when they began to judge aright, would have respectful and honorable views of the power of God, which was in Paul, and would no longer despise outward infirmity.
(949) “Afin de donner taeitement & entendre;” — “That he may tacitly give them to understand.”
(950) “En nostre Seigneur Iesus;” — “In our Lord Jesus.”
(951) “Car comme que par infirmite, est yet signifiee l’humanite de Christ;” — “For as by weakness is here meant the humanity of Christ.”
(953) “Apres que mon infirmite aura comme fait son temps;” — “After my weakness shall have, as it were, served its time.”
(954) “Ascauoir quand vn homme est en estime et reputation;” — “That is, when a man is held in esteem and reputation.”
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 had shown his power in Paul’s preaching, in such a manner that it could be no longer doubtful or obscure to the Corinthians, if they were not altogether stupid. (956) For, whence had they faith? whence had they Christ? whence, in fine, had they every thing? It is with good reason, therefore, that they are called to look into themselves, that they may discover there, what they despise as a thing unknown. Then only has a minister a true and well grounded assurance for the approbation of his doctrine, when he can appeal to the consciences of those whom he has taught, that, if they have any thing of Christ, and of sincere piety, they may be constrained to acknowledge his fidelity. We are now in possession of Paul’s object.
This passage, however, is deserving of particular observation on two accounts. For, in the first place, it shows the relation, (957) which subsists between the faith of the people, and the preaching of the minister — that the one is the mother, that produces and brings forth, and the other is the daughter, that ought not to forget her origin. (958) In the second place, it serves to prove the assurance of faith, as to which the Sorbonnic sophists have made us stagger, nay more, have altogether rooted out from the minds of men. They charge with rashness all that are persuaded that they are the members of Christ, and have Him remaining in them, for they bid us be satisfied with a “moral conjecture,” (959) as they call it — that is, with a mere opinion (960) so that our consciences remain constantly in suspense, and in a state of perplexity. But what does Paul say here? He declares, that all are reprobates, who doubt whether they profess Christ and are a part of His body. Let us, therefore, reckon that alone to be right faith, which leads us to repose in safety in the favor of God, with no wavering opinion, but with a firm and steadfast assurance.
Unless by any means you are reprobates. He gives them in a manner their choice, whether they would rather be reprobates, than give due testimony to his ministry; for he leaves them no alternative, but either to show respect to his Apostleship, or to allow that they are reprobates. For, unquestionably, their faith had been founded upon his doctrine, and they had no other Christ, than they had received from him, and no other gospel than what they had embraced, as delivered to them by him, so that it were vain for them to attempt to separate any part of their salvation from his praise.
(955) “En la personne du Ministre;” — “In the person of the Minister.”
(956) “Du tout stupides et abbrutis;” — “Altogether stupid and besotted.”
(957) “La relation et correspondance mutuelle;” — “The relation and mutual correspondence.”
(958) “Que ne doit point oublier le lieu d’ou elle a prins la naissance;” — “Which ought not to forget the place, from which she has taken her birth.”
(959) See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 1, p. 112.
(960) “D’vne opinion et vn cuider;” — “With an opinion and an imagination.” — The Rhemish Translators, when commenting on this very passage, take occasion to oppose the idea of the attainableness of assurance of faith. “The Heretiques,” say they, “argue hereupon, that every one may know himself certainly to be in grace; where the Apostle speaketh expressly and onely of faith, the act whereof a man may know and feele to be in himself, because it is an act of understanding, though he cannot be assured that he hath his sinnes remitted, and that he is in all pointes in a state of grace and salvation; because euery man that is of the Catholike faith is not alwaies of good life and agreeable thereunto, nor the acts of our will so subject to understanding, that we can knowe certainely whether we be good or euill.” Dr. Fulke, in his Refutation of the errors of the Rhemish Doctors, (Loud. 1601,) p. 584, after furnishing suitable replies to the arguments thus advanced, concludes by remarking, that “our certeintie dependeth not upon our will or workes, but upon the promise of God through faith, that Christ is in us, and we in him, therefore we shall not misse of the performance of his promises.” — Ed.
6. I hope that you shall know He presses them still more urgently, while indulging this confident persuasion — that he will not be rejected by the Corinthians. One of two things was necessary — that they should either assign to Paul the honor due to an Apostle, or condemn themselves for unbelief, and acknowledge that they have no Church. He softens, however, the severity of the statement, by making use of the expression — I hope; but in such a manner as to remind them the better of their duty; for to disappoint the hopes that have been entertained as to our integrity, is excessively cruel. “I hope,” says he, “that you shall know — when you have been restored to a sound mind.” He prudently, however, says nothing as to himself in this second clause, calling them to consider God’s benefits, by which they had been distinguished; nay more, he puts their salvation in the place of his authority.
7. I desire before God. Again he declares, that he cares nothing for his own honor, but is simply desirous of promoting their advantage. For nothing was so undesirable for them, as to deprive themselves of advantage from his doctrine — as they had begun to do, through their pride and contempt. “As to myself,” says he, “for my reputation among men, I am not concerned. My only fear is, lest you should offend God. Nay more, I am prepared to be as a reprobate, provided you are free from all blame.” “I am a reprobate,” says he, “in the judgment of mankind, who very frequently reject those who are deserving of the highest honor.” (961) At the same time, the particle as is not superfluous. For it corresponds with what he says elsewhere — as deceivers and yet true. (2. o 6:8.) And this, certainly, is the true rule — that the Pastor, having no regard to himself, should be devoted exclusively to the edification of the Church. Let him be concerned as to his own reputation, in so far as he sees it to be conducive to the public advantage. Let him be prepared to feel indifferent to it, whenever he may do so, without public disadvantage.
(961) “Qui estoyent dignes d’honneur sur tous autres ;” — “Who were worthy of honor above all others.”
8. For we can do nothing: That is — “I do not seek, or desire any other power, than what the Lord has conferred upon me, that I may promote the truth. To false Apostles it is all one, provided they have power; and they feel no concern to make use of their power for the promotion of what is good.” In short, he defends and maintains the honor of his ministry, in so far as it is connected with the truth of God. “What does it matter to me? For unless I have in view to promote the truth, all the power that I shall claim will be false and groundless. If, however, I lay out, whatever I have, for the promotion of the truth, I, in that case, do not consult my own interest. Now, when the authority of doctrine is safe, and truth is uninjured, I have what I desire. In contending, therefore, so keenly, I am not influenced by any exclusive regard for myself personally.” By this consideration, however, he intimates, that the man, who fights and labors for the truth alone will not take it amiss, should occasion require it, to be regarded in the judgment of men as a reprobate, provided this does not interfere with the glory of God, the edification of the Church, and the authority of sound doctrine.
This passage must be carefully observed, because it limits the power, which the Pastors of the Church should have, and fixes its proper bounds — that they be ministers of the truth. Papists loudly tell us, that it is said,
He that heareth you, heareth me;
he that despiseth you, despiseth me, (Luk 10:16);
and likewise:
Obey them that are set over you, (Heb 13:17);
and under this pretext they take to themselves the utmost liberty, so as to usurp unbounded dominion, while they are, at the same time, the avowed and sworn enemies of the truth, and aim at its destruction by every means in their power. For exposing such impudence, this one statement of Paul will suffice — which declares, that they must themselves be in subjection to the truth. (962)
(962) “Qu’il faut que ceux qui ont le gouernement en l’Eglise, seruent la verite;” — “That it is necessary that those, who have the government of the Church, be subject to the truth.”
9. For, we rejoice. Either the causal particle γὰρ, (for,) must be taken as meaning — therefore; or it is a second reason, why he does not refuse to be regarded as a reprobate — for their sake, and with a view to their advantage. Let the reader select whichever he may choose, for it is of no consequence. (963) When he says, Provided you are strong, I shall willingly submit to be reckoned weak, there is an antithesis in the words — not in the meaning; for weakness means here, as formerly, (2. o 13:4,) contempt. On the other hand, he means that the Corinthians will be strong, if they are full of the power and grace of God.
And this also, He now again repeats, what he had already stated several times, that he was from necessity — not from his own inclination, more severe than they would have wished; and farther, that by this means, too, (964) he spared them, that he might not be constrained to resort to severer measures, when he was present with them.
The perfection, of which he speaks, consists in a fit proportion, and sound condition, of all the members. Now (965) he alludes to good physicians, who cure particular diseases in such a way as not in any part to mutilate the body; (966) and, as he is concerned to secure a perfection of this nature, he says, that, for that reason, he provides against the necessity of having recourse to severer measures. (967) For we see, that those, who at first shrink back from the slight pain, or uneasy feeling of a plaster, are at length constrained to endure the torture of burning, or amputating, and that, too, where the issue is extremely doubtful. (968)
(963) “Car c’est tout vn;” — “For it is all one.”
(964) “Mesme en ce faisant;” — “Even in doing this.”
(965) “Or en parlant ainsi;” — “Now in speaking thus.”
(966) The same view, in substance, is taken by Beza, of the meaning of the term κατάρτισιν, which he renders — integram concinnationem (complete adjustment.) “Varia enim est et multiplex verbi,καταρτίζειν significatio. Mihi veto proximum versiculum cure isto comparanti videtur Apostolus nilhil aliud hoc nomine significare, quam suum hoc csse consilium ut Corinthiacae Ecolesiae membris, quae luxata fuerant, rursus in locum suum veluti repositis, totum illud corpus mutuo connexis membris instauretur, Gal 6:0. Itaque licebat etiam reconcinnationem interpretari;” — “For the meaning of the word καταρτίζειν is various and manifold. On comparing, however, this verse with a subsequent one, I am of opinion that Paul by this term simply means, that it was his design, that those members of the Corinthian Church which had been dislocated, as it were, having been restored to their proper place, the entire body should be renovated by the members being mutually connected together, (as in Gal 6:1.) Hence we might even render the term — readjustment. ” See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 1, p. 63, n. 2. — Ed.
(967) “Plus facheux et aspres;” — “More irksome and: severe.”
(968) “Voire sans asseurance de guarir pour cela;” — “Even where there is no confidence as to effecting a cure by that means.”
10. According to the power In the first place, he arms the strictness of which he speaks, with the authority of God, that it may not appear to be thunder without lightning, or a rashly excited onset. (970) Farther, he lets them know, that he would rather employ his power to another purpose, for which it was peculiarly designed — the promoting of their edification. “I shall not rashly have recourse to cruel remedies, nor will I give indulgence to my passion, but will simply execute the commission that the Lord has given me.”
When he speaks of power given him for edification, and not for destruction, he employs these terms for a somewhat different purpose from what he had done previously in 2. o 10:8. For in that passage there was a commendation of the Gospel from the advantage it yields — because what is for our advantage is wont to be agreeable, and is willingly received by us. Here, however, he simply means to declare, that although he might justly inflict upon the Corinthians a severe blow, yet it was much more his inclination to exercise his power for their advantage, than for their destruction — the former being its proper design. For as the Gospel, in its own nature, is the power of God unto salvation, (Rom 1:16,) and an odor of life unto life, (2. o 2:15,) but in a way of contingency, is an odor of death; so the authority, which is conferred upon the Ministers of it, ought to be salutary to the hearers. If, on the other hand, it turns out to their condemnation, that is contrary to its nature. The meaning, therefore, is this: “Do not, through your own fault, allow that to turn to your destruction, which God has appointed for salvation.” In the mean time, the Apostle admonishes all pastors by his example, in what manner they should limit the use of their power.
(970) “Vne escarmouche d’vn homme qui se soit cnflambe sans raison;” — “A skirmishing on the part of a man who has kindled himself up without any just cause.”
11. Finally, brethren He qualifies whatever there has been of sharpness throughout the whole of the epistle, as he did not wish to leave their minds in an exasperated state, (971) but rather to soothe them. For then only are reproofs beneficial, when they are in a manner seasoned with honey, that the hearer may, if possible, receive them in an agreeable spirit. At the same time, he appears to turn from a few diseased persons (972) to the entire Church. Hence he declares, that he aims at promoting its perfection, and desires its consolation.
To be of one mind, and to live in peace, are expressions which mean two different things; for the one takes its rise from the other. The former relates to agreement of sentiment; the latter denotes benevolence, and union of hearts.
And the God of peace This he adds, that his exhortation may have more weight with them, but, at the same time, he intimates that God will be with us, if we cultivate peace among ourselves; but that those that are at variance with each other are at a distance from him. (973) For where there are strifes and contentions, there, it is certain, the devil reigns.
Now what agreement is there between light and darkness?
(2. o 6:14.)
He calls him the God of peace and love, because he has recommended to us peace and love, because he loves them, and is the author of them. Of the kiss here mentioned we have spoken in the two preceding Epistles.
(971) “Il ne vouloit point laisser leurs coeurs offenses ou saisis d’amertume;” — “He did not wish to leave their minds exasperated, or under the influence of bitterness.”
(972) “Combien qu’il semble que d’vn propos qu’il addressoit a aucuns qui estoyent commc brebis rogneuses en la compagnie il reuient maintenant route l’Eglise;” — “At the same time, it appears as if, from a discourse which he addressed to some who were like diseased sheep in the herd, he now turns to the entire Church.”
(973) “Que tous ceux qui ont debars en sont eslongnez, et n’ont point d’accointance auec luy;” — “That all those who have contentions are at a distance from him, and have no acquaintance with him.”
14. The grace of the Lord Jesus. He closes the Epistle with a prayer, which contains three clauses, in which the sum of our salvation consists. In the first place, he desires for them the grace of Christ; secondly, the love of God; and, thirdly, the communion of the Spirit The term grace does not here mean unmerited favor, but is taken by metonymy, to denote the whole benefit of redemption. The order, however, may appear to be here inverted, because the love of God is placed second, while it is the source of that grace, and hence it is first in order. I answer, that the arrangement of terms in the Scriptures is not always so very exact; but, at the same time, this order, too, corresponds with the common form of doctrine, which is contained in the Scriptures — that
when we were enemies to God,
we were reconciled by the death of his Son, (Rom 5:10,)
though the Scripture is wont to speak of this in two ways. For it sometimes declares what I have quoted from Paul — that there was enmity between us and God, before we were reconciled through Christ. On the other hand, we hear what John says — that
God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, etc. (Joh 3:16.)
The statements are apparently opposite; but it is easy to reconcile them; because in the one case we look to God, and in the other to ourselves. For God, viewed in himself, loved us before the creation of the world, and redeemed us for no other reason than this — because he loved us. As for us, on the other hand, as we see in ourselves nothing but occasion of wrath, that is, sin, we cannot apprehend any love of God towards us without a Mediator. Hence it is that, with respect to us, the beginning of love is from the grace of Christ. According to the former view of the matter, Paul would have expressed himself improperly, had he put the love of God before the grace of Christ, or, in other words, the cause before the effect; but according to the latter, it were a suitable arrangement to begin with the grace of Christ, which was the procuring cause of God’s adopting us into the number of his sons, and honoring us with his love, whom previously he regarded with hatred and abhorrence on account of sin.
The fellowship of the Holy Spirit is added, because it is only under his guidance, that we come to possess Christ, and all his benefits. He seems, however, at the same time, to allude to the diversity of gifts, of which he had made mention elsewhere, (2. o 12:11;) because God does not give the Spirit to every one in a detached way, but distributes to each according to the measure of grace, that the members of the Church, by mutually participating, one with another, may cherish unity.
