Coffee & Devotions

2 Corinthians 13

2 Corinthians 13

With Bryan Schneider · Sharon RP Church

Published September 13, 2022

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Opening Prayer

Thank God for the blessing of 2 Corinthians and ask his Spirit to impress the Word permanently on our hearts.

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Scripture Passage



Coming with Authority

1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare— 3 since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Paul Prefers Gentleness

7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

Greetings and Benediction

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints greet you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.




The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 2 Co 13:1-14

A — About

What Is This Passage About?

As Paul prepares for a third visit, he urges the Corinthians to repent, examine whether they are in the faith, and recognize that Christian strength is found in Christ rather than self. His apostolic authority is for edification, not destruction. He closes by calling them to maturity, comfort, unity, peace, brotherly love, and fellowship with the triune God.

B — Best Verse

Which Verse Best Summarizes the Passage?

2 Corinthians 13:5, 10, 14

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you're disqualified. Therefore I write these things being absent, less being present I should use sharpness according to the authority which Lord has given me for edification, not for destruction. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. Be with you all. Amen.

Bryan divides the chapter into three sections and explicitly selects verses 5, 10, and 14. Together they call for self-examination, explain the edifying purpose of apostolic authority, and close with the triune blessing.

C — Called or Christ

C — Called to Do

Examine whether you are in Christ, find strength in him, receive the apostles' teaching as a firm foundation, turn from sin in repentance, pursue new obedience, and live in peace, comfort, unity, and love with fellow believers.

Devotional Study

Transcript of the devotion. Minor transcription errors may remain.

2 Corinthians 13:1-14

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Read

Coming with Authority

1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare— 3 since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Paul Prefers Gentleness

7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

Greetings and Benediction

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints greet you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.




The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 2 Co 13:1-14

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