since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
Parallel translations
- WEB seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.
- KJV Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
- NKJV since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.
- NASB since you are seeking proof of the Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.
- NLT I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Since they demand proof that Christ speaks through Paul, he reminds them that Christ is not weak toward them but powerful among them. It matters because to test Paul's authority is ultimately to test Christ's own power.
Overview
The Corinthians wanted evidence of Christ's presence in Paul's ministry; Paul warns they may receive it in disciplinary power. Christ, who once worked mightily in founding the church, is no weakling. Their challenge therefore risks experiencing the very strength of the Lord they doubted.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Matt 10:20For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
- Luke 21:15For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
- 2 Cor 12:12The true marks of an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.
- 2 Cor 10:8–10For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
- 1 Cor 9:1–3Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord?
- 2 Cor 2:6The punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient for him.
- 1 Cor 5:4–5When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of the Lord Jesus,
- 2 Cor 10:4The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
- 2 Cor 3:1–3Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
- 2 Cor 2:10If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,
- Matt 18:18–20Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 13:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.