Final Warnings

2 Corinthians 13

1 k This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established l by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 2 m I warned n those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that o if I come again I will not spare them - 3 since you seek proof that Christ p is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but q is powerful among you. 4 For r he was crucified in weakness, but s lives by the power of God. For t we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you u we will live with him by the power of God.

5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. v Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that w Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong - not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when x we are weak and you are strong. Your y restoration is what we pray for. 10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come z I may not have to be a severe in my use of b the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

  1. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 12:14
    Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
  2. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 19:15
    A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.
    Numbers 35:30
    If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
  3. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 10:2
    I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.
  4. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 12:21
    I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.
  5. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 13:10
    For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
    1 Corinthians 4:21
    What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
  6. Cross References
    Matthew 10:20
    For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
    1 Corinthians 5:4
    When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus.
  7. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 10:4
    For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
  8. Cross References
    Philippians 2:7 - 8
    But made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
    1 Peter 3:18
    For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.
  9. Cross References
    Romans 1:4
    And was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.
    Romans 6:4
    We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
  10. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 12:10
    For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
  11. Cross References
    Romans 6:8
    Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
  12. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:28
    Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
    Galatians 6:4
    But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
  13. Cross References
    Romans 8:10
    But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
    Galatians 4:19
    My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
  14. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:10
    We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.
    2 Corinthians 4:12
    So death is at work in us, but life in you.
    2 Corinthians 12:5
    On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.
    2 Corinthians 12:9 - 10
    But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
  15. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:12
    To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
    1 Thessalonians 3:10
    As we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
    2 Corinthians 13:11
    Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
  16. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:3
    And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.
  17. Cross References
    Titus 1:13
    This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.
  18. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 10:8
    For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Next Book Next Book