2Cor 13:3-5 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Cor 13:3-4: 13:3-4 Christ speaks through me: Paul represented Christ to the Corinthian congregation, and he would exercise God’s power in dealing with them. • Paul’s weakness was patterned on the humiliation of Christ, who was crucified in weakness (see 8:9 ). Paul’s judgment on the sinners would be tempered by the constraint of Christ’s love (5:14-21 ). • We, too, are weak: Paul’s humanity was frail, yet he could draw on Christ’s strength (12:10 ).

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‏ 2 Corinthians 13:3-5

Summary for 2Cor 13:3-4: 13:3-4 ^a Christ speaks through me: Paul represented Christ to the Corinthian congregation, and he would exercise God’s power in dealing with them.

• Paul’s weakness was patterned on the humiliation of Christ, who was crucified in weakness (see 8:9 ^b). Paul’s judgment on the sinners would be tempered by the constraint of Christ’s love (5:14-21 ^c).

• We, too, are weak: Paul’s humanity was frail, yet he could draw on Christ’s strength (12:10 ^d).
Summary for 2Cor 13:5-6: 13:5-6 ^e The issue is clear cut: If they cannot recognize that Jesus Christ is living among them, they are the ones who have failed the test of genuine faith (literally are disproved). There is a play on words here: They were looking for “proof” of Paul’s apostolic authority, but Paul urges them, Test yourselves (or Prove yourselves). The lack of Christ’s presence would disprove their authenticity as Christians. But Paul himself has demonstrated that he has not failed the test of apostolic authority (literally not been disproved).