Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 13:5

What does 2 Corinthians 13:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 13:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 13:5 means

Rather than constantly testing Paul, the Corinthians must examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith. The true question is whether “Jesus Christ is in you.” If not, they are “reprobate,” meaning they fail the test—disapproved, not standing the trial of authenticity. This is not a call to anxious doubt but to honest, Spirit-led evaluation. Evidence of Christ within includes repentance, love, growth in holiness, and perseverance in the gospel. Paul’s aim is pastoral: he wants them to be real, not merely formal members. If Christ dwells in them, that reality will bear fruit and will also vindicate Paul’s ministry among them.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Make a test of yourselves, if you are in the faith; make certain of yourselves. Or are you not conscious in yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you, if you are truly Christ's?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Your own selves try ye, if ye are in the faith; your own selves prove ye; do ye not know your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you, if ye be not in some respect disapproved of?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Try your own selves if you be in the faith: prove ye yourselves. Know you not your own selves, that Christ Jesus is in you, unless perhaps you be reprobates?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

examine your own selves if ye be in the faith; prove your own selves: do ye not recognise yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed ye be reprobates?

Context

After laying out Christ’s power in apparent weakness (verse 4), Paul turns the spotlight to the Corinthians. The issue is not merely proving Paul but proving themselves. Verse 5 reframes the entire debate: authenticity is measured by Christ’s indwelling presence. This prepares verse 6, where Paul expresses hope that they will find him not disapproved. The shift invites first-time readers to consider personal faith examination as the proper response to apostolic warnings and to Christ’s work.

v.4for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you.

v.5This passage

v.6But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 12:15

    looking carefully lestthere beany man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled;

  • 1 Corinthians 6:15

    Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ? shall I then take away the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:28

    But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:27

    but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

  • John 6:56

    He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:16

    And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

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