2Cor 13:1-4 | Barnes | STEP | Introduction to 2nd Corinthians Chapter 13 THIS closing chapter of the epistle relates to the following subjects: (1.) The assurance of Paul that he was about to come among them, , and that he would certainly inflict punishment on all who deserved it. His enemies had reproached him as being timid and pusillanimous. . They had said that he was powerful to threaten, but afraid to execute. It is probable that they had become more bold in this from the fact that he had twice purposed to go there and had failed. In reply to all this, he now in conclusion solemnly assures them that he was coming, and that in all cases where an offence was proved by two or three witnesses, punishment would be inflicted, . He assures them that he would not spare; and that since they sought a proof that Christ had sent him, they should witness that proof in the punishment which he would inflict, ; for that Christ was now clothed with power, and was able to execute punishment, though he had been crucified, . (2.) Paul calls on them solemnly to examine themselves, and to see whether they had any true religion, . In the state of things which existed there, in the corruption which had abounded in the church, he solemnly commands them to institute a faithful inquiry to know whether they had been deceived; at the same time expressing the hope that it would appear, as the result of their examination, that they were not reprobates. (3.) He earnestly prays to God that they might do no evil; that they might be found to be honest and pure, whatever might be thought of Paul himself, or whatever might become of him, . Their repentance would save Paul from exerting his miraculous power in their punishment, and might thus prevent the proof of his apostolic authority which they desired; and the consequence might be that they might esteem him to be a reprobate, for he could not exert his miraculous power except in the cause of truth, . Still he was willing to be esteemed an impostor if they would do no evil. (4.) He assures them that he earnestly wished their perfection, and that the design of his writing to them, severe as he had appeared, was their edification, . (5.) Then he bids them an affectionate and tender farewell, and closes with the usual salutations and benedictions, . Verse 1. This is the third time , etc. . For an interesting view of this passage, see Paley's Horae Paulinae on this epistle, No. xi. It is evident that Paul had been to Corinth but once before this, but he had resolved to go before a second time, but had been disappointed. In the mouth of two or three witnesses , etc. This was what the law of Moses required, . . Comp. . But in regard to its application here, commentators are not agreed. Some suppose that Paul refers to his own epistles which he had sent to them as the two or three witnesses by which his promise to them would be made certain; that he had purposed it and promised it two or three times; and that as this was all that was required by the law, it would certainly be established. This is the opinion of Bloomfield, Rosenmuller, Grotius, Hammond, Locke, and some others. But, with all the respect due to such great names, it seems to me that this would be trifling and childish in the extreme. Lightfoot supposes that he refers to Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who would be witnesses to them of his purpose. See . But the more probable opinion, it seems to me, is that of Doddridge, Macknight, and others, that he anticipated that there would be necessity for the administration of discipline there, but that he would feel himself under obligation in administering it to adhere to the reasonable maxim of the Jewish law. No one should be condemned or punished where there were not at least two or three witnesses to prove the offence; but where there were, discipline would be administered,according to the nature of the crime. (d) "In the mouth"

2 Corinthians 13:1-4

Introduction to 2nd Corinthians Chapter 13

THIS closing chapter of the epistle relates to the following subjects:

(1.) The assurance of Paul that he was about to come among them, 2Cor 13:1-4, and that he would certainly inflict punishment on all who deserved it. His enemies had reproached him as being timid and pusillanimous. 2Cor 10:1,2,10,11. They had said that he was powerful to threaten, but afraid to execute. It is probable that they had become more bold in this from the fact that he had twice purposed to go there and had failed. In reply to all this, he now in conclusion solemnly assures them that he was coming, and that in all cases where an offence was proved by two or three witnesses, punishment would be inflicted, 2Cor 13:1. He assures them 2Cor 13:2 that he would not spare; and that since they sought a proof that Christ had sent him, they should witness that proof in the punishment which he would inflict, 2Cor 13:3; for that Christ was now clothed with power, and was able to execute punishment, though he had been crucified, 2Cor 13:4.

(2.) Paul calls on them solemnly to examine themselves, and to see whether they had any true religion, 2Cor 13:5,6. In the state of things which existed there, in the corruption which had abounded in the church, he solemnly commands them to institute a faithful inquiry to know whether they had been deceived; at the same time expressing the hope that it would appear, as the result of their examination, that they were not reprobates.

(3.) He earnestly prays to God that they might do no evil; that they might be found to be honest and pure, whatever might be thought of Paul himself, or whatever might become of him, 2Cor 13:7. Their repentance would save Paul from exerting his miraculous power in their punishment, and might thus prevent the proof of his apostolic authority which they desired; and the consequence might be that they might esteem him to be a reprobate, for he could not exert his miraculous power except in the cause of truth, 2Cor 13:8. Still he was willing to be esteemed an impostor if they would do no evil.

(4.) He assures them that he earnestly wished their perfection, and that the design of his writing to them, severe as he had appeared, was their edification, 2Cor 8:9,10.

(5.) Then he bids them an affectionate and tender farewell, and closes with the usual salutations and benedictions, 2Cor 13:11-14.

Verse 1. This is the third time, etc. 12:4. For an interesting view of this passage, see Paley's Horae Paulinae on this epistle, No. xi. It is evident that Paul had been to Corinth but once before this, but he had resolved to go before a second time, but had been disappointed.

In the mouth of two or three witnesses, etc. This was what the law of Moses required, De 19:15. Jn 8:17. Comp. Mt 18:16. But in regard to its application here, commentators are not agreed. Some suppose that Paul refers to his own epistles which he had sent to them as the two or three witnesses by which his promise to them would be made certain; that he had purposed it and promised it two or three times; and that as this was all that was required by the law, it would certainly be established. This is the opinion of Bloomfield, Rosenmuller, Grotius, Hammond, Locke, and some others. But, with all the respect due to such great names, it seems to me that this would be trifling and childish in the extreme. Lightfoot supposes that he refers to Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who would be witnesses to them of his purpose. See 1Cor 16:17. But the more probable opinion, it seems to me, is that of Doddridge, Macknight, and others, that he anticipated that there would be necessity for the administration of discipline there, but that he would feel himself under obligation in administering it to adhere to the reasonable maxim of the Jewish law. No one should be condemned or punished where there were not at least two or three witnesses to prove the offence; but where there were, discipline would be administered,according to the nature of the crime.

(d) "In the mouth" De 19:15, Heb 10:28,29 Verse 2. I told you before. That I would not spare offenders; that I would certainly punish them. He had intimated this before in the first epistle, 1Cor 4:21, 1Cor 5.

And foretell you. Now apprize you of my fixed determination to punish every offender as he deserves.

As if I were present, the second time. The mention of the "second time" here proves that Paul had been with them but once before. He had formed the resolution to go to them, but had been disappointed. The time when he had been with them is recorded in Acts 18:1, seq. He now uses the same language to them which he says he would use if he were with them, as he had expected to be, the second time. See the remarks of Paley on this passage, referred to above.

And being absent. 1Cor 5:3.

To them which heretofore have sinned. To all the offenders in the church. They had supposed that he would not come to them, 1Cor 4:18, or that if he came he would not dare to inflict punishment, 2Cor 10:9-11. They had, therefore, given themselves greater liberty, and had pursued their own course, regardless of his authority and commands.

I will not spare. I will punish them. They shall not escape.

(e) "which heretofore" 2Cor 12:21 Verse 3. Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me. See Barnes on previous chapters. They had called in question his apostolic authority; they had demanded the evidence of his Divine commission. He says that he would now furnish such evidence by inflicting just punishment on all offenders, and they should have abundant proof that Christ spoke by him, or that he was inspired.

Which to you-ward is not weak. Or who, that is, Christ, is not weak, etc. Christ has manifested his power abundantly towards you, that is, either by the miracles that had been wrought in his name; or by the diseases and calamities which they had suffered on account of their disorders and offences, 1Cor 11:30; 1Cor 5:1; and following, or by the force and efficacy of his doctrine. The connexion, it seems to me, requires that we should understand it of the calamities which had been inflicted by Christ on them for their sins, and which Paul says would be inflicted again if they did not repent. The idea is, that they had had ample demonstration of the power of Christ to inflict punishment, and they had reason to apprehend it again.

(*) "you-ward" "towards you" (f) "mighty in you" 1Cor 9:2 Verse 4. For though he was crucified through weakness. Various modes have been adopted of explaining the phrase "through weakness." The most probable explanation is that which refers to the human nature which he had assumed, Php 2:7,8, 1Pet 3:18, and to the appearance of weakness which he manifested. He did not choose to exert his power. He appeared to his enemies to be weak and feeble. This idea would be an exact illustration of the point before the apostle. He is illustrating his own conduct, and especially in the fact that he had not exerted his miraculous powers among them in the punishment of offenders; and he does it by the example of Christ, who though abundantly able to have exerted his power and to have rescued himself from his enemies, yet was willing to appear weak, and to be crucified. It is very clear,

(1.) that the Lord Jesus seemed to his enemies to be weak and incapable of resistance.

(2.) That he did not put forth his power to protect his life. He in fact offered no resistance, as if he had no power.

(3.) He had a human nature that was peculiarly sensitive, and sensible to suffering; and that was borne down and crushed under the weight of mighty woes. Isa 53:2,3. From all these causes he seemed to be weak and feeble; and these appear to me to be the principal ideas in this expression.

Yet he liveth. He is not now dead. Though he was crucified, yet he now lives again, and is now capable of exerting his great power. He furnishes proof of his being alive, in the success which attends the gospel, and in the miracles which are wrought in his name and by his power. There is a living Redeemer in heaven; a Redeemer who is able to exert all the power which he ever exerted when on earth; a Redeemer, therefore, who is able to save the soul; to raise the dead; to punish all his foes.

By the power of God. In raising him from the dead, and placing him at his own right hand. See Eph 1:19-21. Through the power of God he was brought from the tomb, and has a place. assigned him at the head of the universe.

For we also are weak in him. Marg., "with him." We his apostles, also, are weak in virtue of our connexion with him. We are subject to infirmities and trials; we seem to have no power; we are exposed to contempt; and we appear to our enemies to be destitute of strength. Our enemies regard us as feeble; and they despise us.

But we shall live with him, etc. That is, that we shall show to you that we are alive. By the aid of the power of God we shall show that we are not as weak as our foes pretend; that we are invested with power; and that we are able to inflict the punishment which we threaten. This is one of the numerous instances in which Paul illustrated the case before him by a reference to the example and character of Christ. The idea is, that Christ did not exert his power, and appeared to be weak, and was put to death. So Paul says that he had not exerted his power, and seemed to be weak. But, says he, Christ lives, and is clothed with strength; and so we, though we appear to be weak, shall exert among you, or towards you, the power with which he has invested us, in inflicting punishment on our foes.

(g) "he was crucified" Php 2:7,8, 1Pet 3:8 (1) "weak in him" "with"