Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

2 Corinthians 13
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

Overview of 2 Corinthians

- E. PAUL’S CONCLUDING WORDS TO THE CORINTHIANS (13:1-14)
  - Paul urges the Corinthians to examine themselves (13:1-10)
  - Final exhortations and greetings (13:11-14)

2 Corinthians 13:1

the third time: See study note on 2Co 12:14.

On the testimony of two or three witnesses: Under the Mosaic Law, the rule governing evidence in a case was that “on the testimony” (lit., “at the mouth”) of two witnesses, or even three, a matter was established before the judges. (De 17:6; 19:15) Jesus agreed with that standard. (Mt 18:16; Joh 8:17, 18) The word “mouth” was used as a figure of speech (a metonymy) for what the witnesses said, or their testimony. When discussing his visits to Corinth, Paul quoted De 19:15 and indicated that this principle was followed in the Christian congregation.—1Ti 5:19.

+De 19:15; Mt 18:16

Research Guide

Insight, Volume 1, pp. 511-512
Publications Index
it-1 511-512

2 Corinthians 13:2

*
Or “come back.”

+2Co 10:2

2 Corinthians 13:4

was executed on the stake: Or “was fastened on a stake (pole).”—See study note on Mt 20:19 and Glossary, “Stake”; “Torture stake.”

+Ro 6:4; 1Pe 3:18
+2Ti 2:11, 12
+1Co 1:18; 6:14

2 Corinthians 13:5

Keep testing: Some in Corinth had been challenging Paul, seeking proof that he really represented Christ. (2Co 13:3) Paul points out that they needed to “keep testing” themselves. One lexicon states that the word Paul here uses for “testing” means “to endeavor to discover the nature or character of someth[ing].” They could discover the nature of their own spiritual standing by comparing their daily conduct, attitudes, and decisions with the sacred truths they were taught. Doing such testing would help them to keep proving that they were true Christians. For “proving,” Paul uses a word that could refer to testing whether something is genuine, as one might test metals.

in the faith: As Paul uses it here, the expression “the faith” refers to the body of Christian teachings and beliefs. (Ac 6:7; Ga 6:10; Eph 4:5; Jude 3) It is synonymous with “the truth,” as used at Ga 5:7, 2Pe 2:2, and 2Jo 1. Paul here stresses that it is not enough to know the truths and principles that Jesus taught; a Christian needs to be “in the faith,” that is, to live by those truths.—2Co 12:20, 21.

+1Co 11:28; Ga 6:4

2 Corinthians 13:6

Publications Index
w41 104

2 Corinthians 13:7

Research Guide

The Watchtower,
11/15/1990, pp. 21-22
5/1/1984, p. 16
Publications Index
w90 11/15 22;

w84 5/1 16; g62 6/8 7

2 Corinthians 13:8

Research Guide

The Watchtower,
6/1/1997, pp. 8-9
11/15/1965, pp. 681-683
Publications Index
w97 6/1 9;

w65 682

2 Corinthians 13:9

being readjusted: Or “brought into proper alignment.” The Greek term ka·tarʹti·sis, rendered “being readjusted,” appears only here in the Christian Greek Scriptures. This and related terms are used to describe the restoring of something to a proper condition. For instance, at Mt 4:21, the verb ka·tar·tiʹzo is used to describe “mending” nets. At Ga 6:1, the same verb is used of the need to readjust spiritually a fellow believer who has taken a false step. The related noun ka·tar·ti·smosʹ, rendered “readjustment” at Eph 4:12, was a term sometimes used in medical texts to describe the setting of a bone, a limb, or a joint.

+Eph 4:11, 12

Research Guide

The Watchtower,
11/1/1990, pp. 29-31
Publications Index
w90 11/1 29-31

2 Corinthians 13:10

+1Co 4:21

Research Guide

The Watchtower,
8/15/1973, p. 504
Publications Index
w73 504; or 57-58

2 Corinthians 13:11

continue . . . to be readjusted: See study note on 2Co 13:9.

+2Co 1:3, 4
+Php 2:2
+1Th 5:13; Jas 3:17; 1Pe 3:11; 2Pe 3:14
+1Co 14:33

Research Guide

The Watchtower (Study),
11/2020, pp. 18-23

The Watchtower,
9/1/2008, p. 5
6/1/1996, p. 25
3/1/1991, pp. 21-22
11/1/1990, pp. 29-31
6/1/1973, pp. 330-331, 335
8/15/1964, pp. 499-501
5/15/1963, pp. 317-318
1/1/1961, pp. 12-14
Publications Index
w20.11 18-23; w08 9/1 5; w96 6/1 25; w91 3/1 22; w90 11/1 29-31;

w73 331, 335; g68 11/8 27; w64 500; w63 317; w61 13; yb61 20

2 Corinthians 13:12

with a holy kiss: See study note on Ro 16:16.

Research Guide

Insight, Volume 2, p. 177

The Watchtower,
6/15/1968, p. 384
Publications Index
it-2 177;

w68 384

2 Corinthians 13:14

Research Guide

Trinity, p. 23

The Watchtower,
12/15/1961, pp. 739-740
2/1/1960, p. 94
Publications Index
ti 23;

w61 740; ns 270; w60 94; g57 11/22 5

Parallel Translations

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Quotation

General

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

2 Corinthians 13:1-14

The Second to the Corinthians

13 This is the third time I am coming to you. “On the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter must be established.”+ 2 Although I am absent now, it is as if I were present for the second time, and I give my warning in advance to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if ever I come again* I will not spare them,+ 3 since you are seeking proof that Christ, who is not weak toward you but strong among you, is really speaking through me. 4 For, indeed, he was executed on the stake because of weakness, but he is alive because of God’s power.+ True, we also are weak with him, but we will live together with him+ because of God’s power toward you.+

5 Keep testing whether you are in the faith; keep proving what you yourselves are.+ Or do you not recognize that Jesus Christ is in union with you? Unless you are disapproved. 6 I truly hope you will recognize that we are not disapproved.

7 Now we pray to God that you may do nothing wrong, not that we may appear approved, but that you may do what is fine, even if we may appear disapproved. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We certainly rejoice whenever we are weak but you are powerful. And this is what we are praying for, your being readjusted.+ 10 That is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present, I may not have to be severe in using the authority that the Lord gave me,+ to build up and not to tear down.

11 Finally, brothers, continue to rejoice, to be readjusted, to be comforted,+ to think in agreement,+ to live peaceably;+ and the God of love and of peace+ will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the holy ones send you their greetings.

14 The undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the sharing in the holy spirit be with all of you.