Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
2 Corinthians 13:3 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 3. 3Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse answers Corinth's demand for proof of Christ speaking in Paul by pointing to power active among them.
Read It With
- 2 Corinthians 13:1–4
Read 2 Corinthians 13:3 with 13:1–4. This verse answers Corinth's demand for proof of Christ speaking in Paul by pointing to power active among them. The complete unit establishes this movement: Paul announces a third visit under the scriptural two-or-three-witness rule, warns that persistent sin will be addressed, and answers demands for proof by the crucified-yet-living Christ whose power works through Paul's weakness.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The formal warning sets due-process language beside cruciform power before the letter's final test and aim. Within that movement, this verse answers Corinth's demand for proof of Christ speaking in Paul by pointing to power active among them.
Follow the Context
- The third visit is announced.
- Every matter is established by two or three witnesses.
- Prior warnings are renewed to earlier offenders and all others.
- Corinth seeks proof of Christ speaking in Paul.
- Christ was crucified in weakness yet lives by God's power.
- Paul's weak-in-Christ ministry expects God's power toward Corinth.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to”
In plain language: Claims of authority remain connected to Christ's work in the community.
answers Corinth's demand for proof of Christ speaking in Paul by pointing to power active among them. Claims of authority remain connected to Christ's work in the community.
Why it matters: The wording carries interpretive or ethical risk that requires the full unit and its stated limits.
How certain? strongWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
The verse does not make asserted spiritual power sufficient evidence or justify intimidation.
What Remains True
Claims of authority remain connected to Christ's work in the community.
How It Can Shape Life
- Test proof claims without equating force or spectacle with Christ.
Teach It Back
Explain how 2 Corinthians 13:3 contributes to 2 Corinthians 13:1–4. Include what the surrounding verses add, the stated uncertainty, and what this verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read 2 Corinthians 13:1–4 — Witness-Governed Warning Follows Christ's Cruciform PatternSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 2 Corinthians 13:1–4, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 2Co.txt, 13:1–4
Open the 2 Corinthians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - 2 Corinthians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 2 Corinthians chapter print views, 13:1–4, including attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open NET 2 Corinthians 13 notesmodern open commentary
2 Corinthians
Peter Balla
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, 2023
Supports: Whole-letter setting, literary movement, Greek observations, and passage-level evangelical interpretation.
Exact location: Balla, TGC Bible Commentary, 2 Corinthians, introduction and section on 13:1–4
Open source ↗modern annotated new testament
2 Corinthians introduction and annotations in The Jewish Annotated New Testament
Alan J. Avery-Peck; edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler
Oxford University Press, 2011
Supports: Jewish and Greco-Roman context, scriptural echoes, composition questions, and concise verse-level alternatives.
Exact location: Avery-Peck, Jewish Annotated New Testament, print pp. 315–331, introduction and annotations on 13:1–4
Open source ↗peer reviewed open access social scientific study
The Social Construction of Paul's Apostolic Leadership in Corinth
Jack Barentsen
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 74.4, 2018
Supports: Social-scientific analysis of negotiated authority, community response, suffering, patronage, collection, and unity claims.
Exact location: Barentsen, 'The Social Construction of Paul's Apostolic Leadership in Corinth,' HTS 74.4 (2018), article a5191, pp. 1–13
Open source ↗peer reviewed open access rhetorical and social study
'Walking the Talk': Paul's Authority in Motion in 2 Corinthians 10-13
Stephan J. Joubert
In die Skriflig 49.2, 2015
Supports: Ancient physiognomic status expectations and Paul's cruciform re-description of bodily weakness and authority.
Exact location: Joubert, 'Walking the Talk: Paul's Authority in Motion in 2 Corinthians 10–13,' In die Skriflig 49.2 (2015), article a1899, complete article, especially the weak-body and power-in-weakness sections
Open source ↗Lexical and grammatical evidence
STEP Bible Data
Tyndale House Cambridge
Tyndale House Cambridge, repository snapshot verified 2026
Supports: Independent morphology, form, and lexical-range cross-check for material Greek claims.
Exact location: STEP Bible Data repository, Greek morphology and lexical records for 2 Corinthians 13:1–4
Open source ↗