2 Corinthians 13:3
New International Version
since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

Berean Standard Bible
since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is powerful among you.

Berean Literal Bible
since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you but is powerful among you.

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

New King James Version
since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.

New American Standard Bible
since you are seeking proof of the Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.

NASB 1995
since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.

NASB 1977
since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.

Legacy Standard Bible
since you are seeking proof that Christ speaks in me; He is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.

Amplified Bible
since you seek [forensic] proof that Christ is speaking in and through me. He is not weak or ineffective in dealing with you, but powerful within you.

Christian Standard Bible
since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but powerful among you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you.

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

Contemporary English Version
This should prove to you that I am speaking for Christ. When he corrects you, he won't be weak. He will be powerful!

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Since you want proof that Christ is speaking through me, that's what you'll get. Christ isn't weak in dealing with you. Instead, he makes his power felt among you.

Good News Translation
You will have all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. When he deals with you, he is not weak; instead, he shows his power among you.

International Standard Version
since you want proof that the Messiah is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is making his power felt among you.

Majority Standard Bible
since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

NET Bible
since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you but is powerful among you.

New Heart English Bible
seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.

Webster's Bible Translation
Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who toward you is not weak, but is mighty in you.

Weymouth New Testament
since you want a practical proof of the fact that Christ speaks by my lips--He who is not feeble towards you, but powerful among you.

World English Bible
seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me who is not weak, but is powerful in you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
since you seek a proof of the Christ speaking in me, who is not weak to you, but is powerful in you,

Berean Literal Bible
since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you but is powerful among you.

Young's Literal Translation
since a proof ye seek of the Christ speaking in me, who to you is not infirm, but is powerful in you,

Smith's Literal Translation
Since seek proof of Christ speaking in me, who to you is no weak, but has power in you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Do you seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me, who towards you is not weak, but is mighty in you?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do you seek evidence that it is Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak with you, but is powerful with you?

New American Bible
since you are looking for proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you but powerful in you.

New Revised Standard Version
since you desire proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful in you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, he has never been weak among you, but is mighty in you.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because you seek a proof of The Messiah that he speaks in me, he who is not weak among you, but is mighty among you;
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
since you seek a proof of Christ's speaking in me, who toward you is not weak, but who is mighty in you:

Godbey New Testament
since you are seeking the approval of Christ, who is speaking in me, who is not weak towards you, bit mighty among you.

Haweis New Testament
since ye demand a proof that Christ speaketh in me, who to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

Mace New Testament
since you demand a proof of my mission from Christ, who with regard to you has shown no want of power among you.

Weymouth New Testament
since you want a practical proof of the fact that Christ speaks by my lips--He who is not feeble towards you, but powerful among you.

Worrell New Testament
since ye seek a proof of Christ's speaking in me, Who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you;

Worsley New Testament
since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but is powerful among you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Examine Yourselves
2I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone, 3since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.…

Cross References
Acts 18:9-10
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”

1 Corinthians 9:1-2
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? / Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Galatians 1:1
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—

Romans 15:18-19
I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, / by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:37
If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.

1 Thessalonians 2:13
And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.

1 Corinthians 5:4
When 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,

1 Corinthians 2:4-5
My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, / so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

2 Corinthians 12:12
The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.

1 Corinthians 1:6
because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.

2 Corinthians 4:2
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 10:8
For 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.

2 Corinthians 11:10
As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22
Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, / placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.

John 10:37-38
If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. / But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

ye seek.

2 Corinthians 10:8-10
For 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: …

Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:10
To 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;

Matthew 10:20
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Matthew 18:18-20
Verily 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…

which.

2 Corinthians 2:6
Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

2 Corinthians 3:1-3
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? …

2 Corinthians 12:12
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Jump to Previous
Christ Dealing Demanding Desire Fact Feeble Infirm Lips Mighty Powerful Practical Proof Relation Seek Seeking Sign Speaketh Speaking Speaks Towards Want Weak Word You-Ward
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Christ Dealing Demanding Desire Fact Feeble Infirm Lips Mighty Powerful Practical Proof Relation Seek Seeking Sign Speaketh Speaking Speaks Towards Want Weak Word You-Ward
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.














since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me.
Paul addresses the skepticism of some Corinthians who questioned his apostolic authority. This demand for proof reflects a broader cultural context where rhetorical skill and visible signs were often valued as evidence of divine favor. In 1 Corinthians 1:22, Paul notes that Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, highlighting the cultural expectations of his audience. The demand for proof also echoes the challenges faced by other prophets and leaders in the Bible, such as Moses in Exodus 4:1-9, where God provides signs to validate his mission. Paul's assertion that Christ speaks through him aligns with his earlier defense of his apostleship in 2 Corinthians 3:1-3, where he describes the Corinthians themselves as a letter from Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.

He is not weak in dealing with you
Paul contrasts the perceived weakness of his physical presence with the spiritual power of Christ working through him. This reflects the paradox of strength in weakness, a recurring theme in 2 Corinthians, particularly in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where Paul speaks of Christ's power being made perfect in weakness. The idea that Christ is not weak in dealing with the Corinthians underscores the transformative power of the Gospel, which transcends human frailty. Historically, the city of Corinth was known for its wealth and immorality, presenting a challenging environment for the early church. Paul's message emphasizes that Christ's power is sufficient to address the moral and spiritual issues within the Corinthian church.

but is powerful among you.
The power of Christ among the Corinthians is evidenced by the spiritual gifts and transformations occurring within the community, as described in 1 Corinthians 12-14. This power is not merely theoretical but is manifested in the lives of believers, demonstrating the active presence of Christ. The phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's power being displayed among His people, such as in the miracles of Jesus and the acts of the apostles in the Book of Acts. Theologically, this power is a testament to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as promised in John 14:16-17, and serves as a foretaste of the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, as prophesied in Revelation 21:3-4.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter, addressing the Corinthian church. He is defending his apostolic authority and the authenticity of his message.

2. The Corinthian Church
The recipients of the letter, who are questioning Paul's authority and seeking proof of Christ's work through him.

3. Christ
Central to Paul's message, whose power and presence are affirmed in Paul's ministry.

4. Apostolic Authority
The event or issue at hand, where Paul is challenged to prove his authority and the presence of Christ in his ministry.
Teaching Points
The Power of Christ in Ministry
Paul emphasizes that Christ is not weak but powerful among the believers. This serves as a reminder that true ministry is marked by the power and presence of Christ, not human strength or wisdom.

The Importance of Apostolic Authority
The questioning of Paul's authority by the Corinthians highlights the need for discernment and recognition of true spiritual leadership, which is validated by the work of Christ.

Faith and Evidence
While the Corinthians demanded proof, Paul points to the transformative power of Christ as the ultimate evidence. Believers are encouraged to seek and recognize the evidence of Christ's work in their lives and communities.

Christ's Strength in Weakness
The passage underscores a recurring theme in Paul's writings: Christ's strength is made perfect in weakness. Believers can find encouragement in knowing that Christ's power is most evident in their own weaknesses.(3) Which to you-ward is not weak.--There is still a touch of indignant sadness in the tone in which the words are uttered. Men will not be able to cast that reproach of weakness upon Him whose might they will feel all too keenly.

Verse 3. - Of Christ speaking in me; rather, of the Christ who speaketh in me. Which; rather, who. But is mighty in you. The spirit of Christ, in spite of all their shortcomings, had not deserted them (see 1 Corinthians 1:6, 7; 1 Corinthians 2:4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
since
ἐπεὶ (epei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1893: Of time: when, after; of cause: since, because; otherwise: else. From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since.

you are demanding
ζητεῖτε (zēteite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

proof
δοκιμὴν (dokimēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1382: A trial, proof; tried, approved character. From the same as dokimos; test; by implication, trustiness.

that
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Christ
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

is speaking
λαλοῦντος (lalountos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

through
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

me.
ἐμοὶ (emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

[He]
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

is not weak
ἀσθενεῖ (asthenei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 770: To be weak (physically: then morally), To be sick. From asthenes; to be feeble.

in dealing with
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

you,
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

is powerful
δυνατεῖ (dynatei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1414: To be powerful, have power, be able, be mighty. From dunatos; to be efficient.

among
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

you.
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 13:3 Seeing that you seek a proof (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 13:2
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