RSV ~ 2 Corinthians 13 Notes

2 Cor 13:1 | ISB Notes

two or three witnesses: Judicial criteria drawn from Deut 17:6 and 19:15.

• The Mosaic Law forbade Israel to punish crimes on the basis of a single witness. Accused persons were thus assured a fair criminal process and that punishment would not be administered without credible and corroborating testimony. Paul, like Jesus, applies this principle in a New Covenant context (Mt 18:16-17). He thus assures the Corinthians that detractors will not be expelled from their fellowship and liturgy without a just examination of the facts (1 Tim 5:19). Even so, Paul is ready to punish disobedience if necessary (10:6; 13:2). See note on 1 Cor 5:13.

2 Cor 13:3 | ISB Notes

you desire proof: This sums up all the criticisms leveled against Paul, since some of the Corinthians, under the deceitful influence of false teachers, doubted and even denied that Christ was speaking through him as a genuine apostle. Paul strategically applies this same standard to his critics in 13:5 to test whether or not Christ dwells within them.

2 Cor 13:4 | ISB Notes

crucified in weakness: The Cross of Christ stands behind many of Paul’s references to weakness (1 Cor 1:23-25; 2:2-3; 2 Cor 11:30; 12:5, 10). Just as the humiliating death of Jesus gave way to his powerful Resurrection, Paul and the other apostles willingly embrace suffering and shame so that the risen life of Jesus can flow out to others. The point is that God’s power operates through human weakness, not in spite of it (2 Cor 12:9).

2 Cor 13:9 | ISB Notes

your improvement: Paul wants most to restore his readers to spiritual health. Both Corinthian letters reveal his concern for them and the efforts he was willing to make to bring them from infancy to spiritual maturity (1 Cor 3:1-3).

2 Cor 13:12 | ISB Notes

a holy kiss: A gesture of affection and Christian brotherhood (Rom 16:16; 1 Pet 5:14). It is a common expression of hospitality in the Near East, equivalent to a friendly handshake in the modern Western world.

2 Cor 13:14 | ISB Notes

One of the earliest and clearest expressions of faith in the Trinity found in the NT. It has been used for centuries as a liturgical benediction (CCC 249, 1109).