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<p id="Chapter13" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 13
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<p id="a2Co13_1"><a onclick="return mV('2Cr',13,'1-14');">2Cr 13:1-14</a>. HE THREATENS A SEVERE PROOF OF HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY, BUT PREFERS THEY WOULD SPARE HIM THE NECESSITY FOR IT.
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<p><b>1. This is the third time I am coming to you</b>—not merely <i>preparing</i> to come to you. This proves an <i>intermediate visit</i> between the two recorded in <a onclick="return mV('Act',18,1);">Act 18:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',20,2);">20:2</a>.
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<br><br><b>In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established</b>—Quoted from <a onclick="return mV('Deu',19,15);">Deu 19:15</a>, <i>Septuagint.</i> "I will judge not without examination, nor will I abstain from punishing upon due evidence" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. I will no longer be among you "in all patience" towards offenders (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',12,12);">2Cr 12:12</a>). The apostle in this case, where ordinary testimony was to be had, does not look for an immediate revelation, nor does he order the culprits to be cast out of the church before his arrival. Others understand the "two or three witnesses" to mean <i>his two or three visits</i> as establishing either (1) the truth of the facts alleged against the offenders, or (2) the reality of his threats. I prefer the first explanation to either of the two latter.
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<p id="a2Co13_2"><b>2.</b> Rather, "I have already said (at my second visit), and tell you (now) beforehand, AS (I did) WHEN I WAS PRESENT THE SECOND TIME, SO also NOW in my absence (the oldest manuscripts omit the 'I write,' which here wrongly follows in <i>English Version Greek</i> text) to them which heretofore have sinned (namely, before my second visit, <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',12,21);">2Cr 12:21</a>), and to all others (who have sinned since my second visit, or are in danger of sinning)." The <i>English Version,</i> "<i>as if I were</i> present the <i>second</i> time," namely, this next time, is quite inconsistent with <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',13,1);">2Cr 13:1</a>, "this is the <i>third</i> time I am coming to you," as Paul could not have called the same journey at once "the second" and "the third time" of his coming. The antithesis between "the second time" and "now" is palpable.
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<br><br><b>if I come again,</b> etc.—that is, <i>whensoever I come again</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Act',20,2);">Act 20:2</a>). These were probably the very words of his former threat which he now repeats again.
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<p id="a2Co13_3"><b>3. Since</b>—The reason why he will not spare: Since ye challenge me to give a "proof" that Christ speaks in me. It would be better if ye would "<i>prove</i> your own selves" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',13,5);">2Cr 13:5</a>). This disproves the assertion of some that Scripture nowhere asserts the infallibility of its writers when writing it.
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<br><br><b>which</b>—"who" (Christ).
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<br><br><b>is not weak</b>—in relation to you, by me and in this very Epistle, in exercising upon you strong discipline.
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<br><br><b>mighty in you</b>—has given many proofs of His power in miracles, and even in punishing offenders (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',5,11,20,21);">2Cr 5:11, 20-21</a>). Ye have no need to put me to the proof in this, as long ago Christ has exhibited great proofs of His power by me among you (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',12,12);">2Cr 12:12</a>) [GROTIUS]. It is therefore not me, but Christ, whom ye wrong: it is His patience that ye try in despising my admonitions, and derogating from my authority [CALVIN].
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<p id="a2Co13_4"><b>4. though</b>—omitted in some of the oldest manuscripts; then translate, "For He was even crucified," etc.
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<br><br><b>through weakness</b>—<i>Greek,</i> "from weakness"; that is, His assumption of our weakness was the source, or necessary condition, <i>from</i> which the possibility of His crucifixion flowed (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',2,14);">Hbr 2:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,7,8);">Phl 2:7-8</a>).
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<br><br><b>by</b>—<i>Greek,</i> "from"; "owing to."
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<br><br><b>the power of God</b>—the Father (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,4);">Rom 1:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',6,4);">6:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',1,20);">Eph 1:20</a>).
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<br><br><b>weak in him</b>—that is, in virtue of our union with Him, and after His pattern, weakness predominates in us for a time (exhibited in our "infirmities" and weak "bodily presence," <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',10,10);">2Cr 10:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',12,5,9,10);">12:5, 9-10</a>; and also in our not putting into immediate exercise our power of punishing offenders, just as Christ for a time kept in abeyance His power).
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<br><br><b>we shall live with him</b>—not only hereafter with Him, free from our present infirmities, in the resurrection life (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',3,21);">Phl 3:21</a>), but presently in the exercise of our apostolic authority against offenders, which flows to us <i>in respect to you</i> from <i>the power of God,</i> however "weak" we now seem to you. "With Him," that is, even as He now exercises His power in His glorified resurrection life, after His weakness for a time.
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<p id="a2Co13_5"><b>5. Examine</b>—<i>Greek,</i> "Try (make trial of) yourselves."
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<br><br><b>prove your own selves</b>—This should be your first aim, rather than "seeking a proof of Christ speaking <i>in me</i>" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',13,3);">2Cr 13:3</a>).
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<br><br><b>your own selves</b>—I need not speak much in proof of Christ being in me, your minister (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',13,3);">2Cr 13:3</a>), for if ye try <i>your own selves</i> ye will see that Christ is also in you [CHRYSOSTOM], (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,10);">Rom 8:10</a>). Finding Christ dwelling in yourselves by faith, ye may well believe that He speaks in me, by whose ministry ye have received this faith [ESTIUS]. To doubt it would be the sin of Israel, who, after so many miracles and experimental proofs of God's presence, still cried (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',17,7);">Exd 17:7</a>), "Is the Lord among us or not?" (Compare <a onclick="return mV('Mar',8,11);">Mar 8:11</a>).
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<br><br><b>except ye be reprobates</b>—The <i>Greek</i> softens the expression, "<i>somewhat</i> reprobates," that is, not <i>abiding the</i> "<i>proof</i>" (alluding to the same word in the context); failing <i>when tested.</i> Image from metals (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',6,30);">Jer 6:30</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',5,27);">Dan 5:27</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,28);">Rom 1:28</a>).
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<p id="a2Co13_6"><b>6. we...not reprobates</b>—not <i>unable to abide the proof</i> to which ye put us (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',13,6);">2Cr 13:6</a>). "I trust that" your own Christianity will be <i>recognized</i> by you (observe, "ye shall <i>know,</i>" answers to "<i>know</i> your own selves," <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',13,5);">2Cr 13:5</a>) as sufficient "proof" that ye are not reprobates, but that "Christ speaks in me," without needing a proof from me more trying to yourselves. If ye doubt my apostleship, ye must doubt your own Christianity, for ye are the fruits of my apostleship.
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<p id="a2Co13_7"><b>7. I pray</b>—The oldest manuscripts read, "we pray."
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<br><br><b>not that we should appear approved</b>—not to gain credit for ourselves, your ministers, by your Christian conduct; but for your good [ALFORD]. The antithesis to "reprobates" leads me to prefer explaining with BENGEL, "We do <i>not</i> pray <i>that</i> we may appear <i>approved,</i>" by restraining you when ye do evil; "but that ye should do what is <i>right</i>" (<i>English Version,</i> "honest").
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<br><br><b>though we be as reprobates</b>—though we be thereby deprived of the occasion for exercising our apostolic power (namely, in punishing), and so may appear "as reprobates" (<i>incapable of affording proof</i> of Christ speaking in us).
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<p id="a2Co13_8"><b>8.</b> Our apostolic power is given us that we may use it not against, but for the furtherance of, the truth. Where you are free from fault, there is no scope for its exercise: and this I desire. Far be it from me to use it against the innocent, merely in order to increase my own power (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',13,10);">2Cr 13:10</a>).
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<p id="a2Co13_9"><b>9. are glad</b>—<i>Greek,</i> "rejoice."
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<br><br><b>when we are weak</b>—having no occasion for displaying our power; and so seeming "weak," as being compassed with "infirmities" (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('2Cr',10,10);">2Cr 10:10</a>; <a href= "#" onclick="return mV('2Cr', 11,29,30);">11:29-30</a>).
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<br><br><b>ye...strong</b>—"mighty" in faith and the fruits of the Spirit.
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<br><br><b>and</b>—not in the oldest manuscripts.
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<br><br><b>we wish</b>—<i>Greek,</i> "pray for."
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<br><br><b>your perfection</b>—literally, "perfect restoration"; literally, that of a dislocated limb. Compare <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',13,11);">2Cr 13:11</a>, "Be perfect," the same <i>Greek</i> word; also in <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',1,10);">1Cr 1:10</a>, "perfectly joined together"; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',4,12);">Eph 4:12</a>, "the perfecting of the saints."
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<p id="a2Co13_10"><b>10. Therefore</b>—because I wish the "sharpness" to be in my <i>letters</i> rather than in <i>deeds</i> [CHRYSOSTOM].
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<br><br><b>edification...not to destruction</b>—<i>for building up...not for casting down.</i> To "use sharpness" would seem to be <i>casting down,</i> rather than <i>building up;</i> therefore he prefers not to have to use it.
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<p id="a2Co13_11"><b>11. farewell</b>—meaning in <i>Greek</i> also "rejoice"; thus in bidding farewell he returns to the point with which he set out, "we are helpers of your <i>joy</i>" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',1,24);">2Cr 1:24</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,4);">Phl 4:4</a>).
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<br><br><b>Be perfect</b>—Become perfect by filling up what is lacking in your Christian character (<a onclick="return mV('Eph',4,13);">Eph 4:13</a>).
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<br><br><b>be of good comfort</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',1,6);">2Cr 1:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',7,'8-13');">7:8-13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Th',4,18);">1Th 4:18</a>).
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<p id="a2Co13_14"><b>14.</b> The benediction which proves the doctrine of the Divine Trinity in unity. "The grace of Christ" comes first, for it is only by it we come to "the love of God" the Father (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,6);">Jhn 14:6</a>). The variety in the order of Persons proves that "in this Trinity none is afore or after other" [<i>Athanasian Creed</i>].
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<br><br><b>communion</b>—joint fellowship, or participation, in the same Holy Ghost, which joins in one catholic Church, His temple, both Jews and Gentiles. Whoever has "the fellowship of the Holy Ghost," has also "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," and "the love of God"; and vice versa. For the three are inseparable, as the three Persons of the Trinity itself [CHRYSOSTOM]. The doctrine of the Trinity was not revealed clearly and fully till Christ came, and the whole scheme of our redemption was manifested in Him, and we know the Holy Three in One more <i>in their relations to us</i> (as set forth summarily in this benediction), than in their <i>mutual relations to one another</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',29,29);">Deu 29:29</a>).
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<br><br><b>Amen</b>—omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Probably added subsequently for the exigencies of public joint worship.
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