Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in 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.
- BSB since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among 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 is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
- Luke 21:15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
- 2 Cor 12:12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
- 2 Cor 10:8–10For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
- 1 Cor 9:1–3Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
- 2 Cor 2:6Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
- 1 Cor 5:4–5In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
- 2 Cor 10:4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
- 2 Cor 3:1–3Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
- 2 Cor 2:10To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
- Matt 18:18–20Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Resources, by level
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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.