The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 13:3 Explained

2 Corinthians 13:3

KJV: Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

YLT: since a proof ye seek of the Christ speaking in me, who to you is not infirm, but is powerful in you,

Darby: Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, (who is not weak towards you, but is powerful among you,

ASV: seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Since  ye seek  a proof  of Christ  speaking  in  me,  which  to  you-ward  is  not  weak,  but  is mighty  in  you. 

What does 2 Corinthians 13:3 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Then his critics would have first-hand proof of his divinely given power. Christ-like gentleness and humility ( 2 Corinthians 10:1) did not impress the Corinthians as displays of power did ( 2 Corinthians 11:20). Paul"s threatened judgment of the erring in the church would provide the proof that many of them required that the powerful Christ was working through Paul. Jesus Christ will Himself likewise experience vindication one day when He comes in judgment.

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 13:1-6 - "prove Your Own Selves"
Once more Paul refers to the charge that his ministry was characterized by weakness. This deeply wounded him. He admitted that in his personal appearance and speech he might be all that his enemies averred, but he contended that weakness did not count when married to the divine. Was not Christ weak when He was crucified? yet through that cross He has exerted His mighty saving power upon myriads! Through the weakness of death He passed to the right hand of power and bestowed the Pentecostal gift. Suppose, then, that the servant shared the weakness of his Lord, might not the divine power work through his poor, weak nature as through the Lord Himself? Let us not always be dwelling on our weakness and limitations; did not the divine fire tremble around the poor shrub of the wilderness?
Paul goes on to urge the Corinthians to prove-that is, to test-themselves by reminding them that unless they are reprobate, the Lord Jesus is truly and literally dwelling within them. This is the fundamental fact in a holy life. When we open our hearts, He enters, and becomes in us the Life of His life and the Light of all our seeing. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 13

1  Paul threatens severity, and the power of his apostleship, against obstinate sinners
5  And, advising them to a trial of their faith,
7  and to a reformation of their sins before his coming,
11  he concludes his epistle with a general exhortation and a prayer

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 13:3

A proof of Christ [δοκιμην του Χριστου]
He will give it to them. “I will not spare.” He will show that Christ speaks “in me” (εν εμοι — en emoi). [source]
A proof of Christ speaking in me [δοκιμὴν τοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ λαλοῦντος Χριστοῦ]
Lit., of the Christ that speaks in me. An experimental proof of what kind of a being the Christ who speaks in me is. [source]
In you [ἐν ὑμῖν]
Better, among you. He is speaking, not of Christ as He dwells in them, but as He works with reference to them ( εἰς ) and among their number, inflicting punishment for their sin. [source]
Through [ἐξ]
Lit., out of, marking the source of both death and life. [source]
Are weak in Him []
The parallel with 2 Corinthians 13:3must be carefully noted. Christ will prove Himself not weak, but mighty among you. He was crucified out of weakness, but He is mighty out of the power of God. A similar weakness and power will appear in our case. We are weak in Him, in virtue of our fellowship with Him. Like Him we endure the contradiction of sinners, and suffer from the violence of men: in fellowship with His risen life we shall be partakers of the power of God which raised Him from the dead, and shall exhibit this life of power toward you in judging and punishing you. [source]
Toward you []
Construe with we shall live. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 13:3

Romans 14:4 The servant of another [αλλοτριον οικετην]
Not another Future passive of ιστημι — histēmi In spite of your sharp criticisms of one another. Hath power Verb found only in Paul (2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Romans 14:4), from verbal adjective δυνατος — dunatos f0). [source]
Romans 14:4 Hath power [δυνατει]
Verb found only in Paul (2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Romans 14:4), from verbal adjective δυνατος — dunatos f0). [source]
2 Corinthians 13:3 Are weak in Him []
The parallel with 2 Corinthians 13:3must be carefully noted. Christ will prove Himself not weak, but mighty among you. He was crucified out of weakness, but He is mighty out of the power of God. A similar weakness and power will appear in our case. We are weak in Him, in virtue of our fellowship with Him. Like Him we endure the contradiction of sinners, and suffer from the violence of men: in fellowship with His risen life we shall be partakers of the power of God which raised Him from the dead, and shall exhibit this life of power toward you in judging and punishing you. [source]
2 Corinthians 2:9 That I might know the proof of you [ινα γνω την δοκιμην υμων]
Ingressive second aorist active subjunctive, come to know. Δοκιμη — Dokimē is proof by testing. Late word from δοκιμος — dokimos and is in Dioscorides, medical writer in reign of Hadrian. Earliest use in Paul and only in him in N.T. (2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 8:2; 2 Corinthians 9:13; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Romans 5:4; Philemon 2:22). [source]
2 Corinthians 9:8 Is able [δυνατει]
Late verb, not found except here; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Romans 14:4. So far a Pauline word made from δυνατος — dunatos able. [source]
Hebrews 1:1 Spake [λαλήσας]
See on Matthew 28:18. Often in the Epistle of the announcement of the divine will by men, as Hebrews 7:14; Hebrews 9:19; by angels, as Hebrews 2:2; by God himself or Christ, as Hebrews 2:3; Hebrews 5:5; Hebrews 12:25. In Paul, almost always of men: once of Christ, 2 Corinthians 13:3; once of the Law, personified, Romans 3:9. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 13:3 mean?

since a proof you seek - in me speaking of Christ who toward you not is weak but is powerful among you
ἐπεὶ δοκιμὴν ζητεῖτε τοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ λαλοῦντος Χριστοῦ ὃς εἰς ὑμᾶς οὐκ ἀσθενεῖ ἀλλὰ δυνατεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν

ἐπεὶ  since 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἐπεί  
Sense: when, since.
δοκιμὴν  a  proof 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δοκιμή  
Sense: proving, trial.
ζητεῖτε  you  seek 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ζητέω  
Sense: to seek in order to find.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐμοὶ  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
λαλοῦντος  speaking 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἀπολαλέω 
Sense: to utter a voice or emit a sound.
Χριστοῦ  of  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
εἰς  toward 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
ἀσθενεῖ  is  weak 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀσθενέω  
Sense: to be weak, feeble, to be without strength, powerless.
δυνατεῖ  is  powerful 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δυνατέω  
Sense: to be powerful or mighty.