2 Corinthians 13:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

NIV: This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority--the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

NASB: For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

CSB: This is why I am writing these things while absent, so that when I am there I may not have to deal harshly with you, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

NLT: I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

KJV: Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

NKJV: 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.

Before turning to his closing words, Paul sums up the purpose for this letter to the church in Corinth. He has written everything for their good and to build them up, not to tear them down. More urgently, he seeks to convince them to repent of sin before he arrives. That way, he will not need to be severe in judging and disciplining those who remain unrepentant of ongoing sinful choices (2 Corinthians 12:19—13:2).

Despite charges against him by false apostles and other critics, Paul asserts once more that he is a true apostle, given valid authority to act on Christ's behalf when he is with them. He warned that, acting on this authority, he will spare no one who is still following sinful ways when he arrives (2 Corinthians 13:2). They will see that, in Christ, Paul can be as strident as necessary to hold them accountable for betraying their devotion to Christ. This, as well, is meant for their good. Even if severe discipline is required, Paul makes clear his purpose will not be to dole out ruin and misery. As God does for all who are in Christ, Paul will only act to benefit them, even if that requires some temporary pain.

It's also very clear that Paul does not want a severe confrontation with the believers of Corinth. It's not something he wants to be forced into. He truly hopes that all will repent so their time together can be pleasant for everyone.

Second Corinthians 13:1–10 contains Paul's final warning to the Corinthians: repent from sin before he arrives to visit them. None will be spared from Christ's discipline if they remain unrepentant. They will see that Christ speaks through Paul when he executes Christ's powerful discipline among them. He urges them to examine themselves to see if Christ is in them and he prays for their restoration. Paul knows he has God-given authority to represent Christ among them, but he hopes he will not have to do so in a severe way when he arrives.

The final chapter of Paul's letter begins with a harsh warning. Nobody living in unrepentant sin when Paul arrives will be spared Paul's discipline. All will learn that Christ speaks through Paul—because Christ will deal powerfully with their sinfulness despite Paul's own weakness. Paul urges them to examine themselves and verify that Christ is in them and, by extension, that he is a true apostle. He prays for their restoration and hopes they will repent of all sin before he arrives so that he will not have to be severe in the use of his authority.

Second Corinthians 13 follows Paul's listing of two sets of sins he is concerned he will find among the Corinthians when he arrives. These are personal divisions and sexual immorality. He warns them once more that nobody will be spared from Christ's discipline if they remain in sin. Paul urges them to examine and test themselves to see if Christ is in them. He prays for their restoration and hopes they will repent of sin so that he does not have to be severe with them in his authority as Christ's representative when he arrives.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.