The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 13:5 Explained

2 Corinthians 13:5

KJV: 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?

YLT: 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?

Darby: 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?

ASV: 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 Reverse Interlinear

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? 

What does 2 Corinthians 13:5 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 13:1-6 - "prove Your Own Selves"
Once more Paul refers to the charge that his ministry was characterized by weakness. This deeply wounded him. He admitted that in his personal appearance and speech he might be all that his enemies averred, but he contended that weakness did not count when married to the divine. Was not Christ weak when He was crucified? yet through that cross He has exerted His mighty saving power upon myriads! Through the weakness of death He passed to the right hand of power and bestowed the Pentecostal gift. Suppose, then, that the servant shared the weakness of his Lord, might not the divine power work through his poor, weak nature as through the Lord Himself? Let us not always be dwelling on our weakness and limitations; did not the divine fire tremble around the poor shrub of the wilderness?
Paul goes on to urge the Corinthians to prove-that is, to test-themselves by reminding them that unless they are reprobate, the Lord Jesus is truly and literally dwelling within them. This is the fundamental fact in a holy life. When we open our hearts, He enters, and becomes in us the Life of His life and the Light of all our seeing. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 13:5

Unless indeed ye be reprobate [ει μητι αδοκιμοι εστε]
Paul challenged his opposers in Corinth to try (πειραζετε — peirazete) themselves, to test (δοκιμαζετε — dokimazete) themselves, whether they were “in the faith” (εν τηι πιστει — en tēi pistei), a much more vital matter for them than trying to prove Paul a heretic. Such tests can be made, unless, alas, they are “reprobate” (αδοκιμοι — adokimoi the very adjective that Paul held up before himself as a dreadful outcome to be avoided, 1 Corinthians 9:27). [source]
Examine yourselves [ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε]
Yourselves is emphatic. Instead of putting Christ to the test, test yourselves. Rev., try, is better than examine. Examination does not necessarily imply a practical test. It may be merely from curiosity. Trial implies a definite intent to ascertain their spiritual condition. [source]
The faith []
See on Acts 6:7. In a believing attitude toward Christ. [source]
Prove [δοκιμάζετε]
As the result of trying. [source]
Or know ye not, etc. []
Assuming that you thus prove yourselves, does not this test show you that Christ is in you as the result of your faith in him? [source]
Reprobates [ἀδόκιμοι]
An unfortunate translation. A reprobate is one abandoned to perdition. The word is kindred to the verb prove ( δοκιμάζετε ), and means disapproved on trial. See on Romans 1:28. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 13:5

Matthew 6:13 Temptation [πειρασμόν]
It is a mistake to define this word as only solicitation to evil. It means trial of any kind, without reference to its moral quality. Thus, John 6:6); Paul and Timothy assayed to go to Bithynia (Acts 16:7); “Examine yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Here, generally of all situations and circumstances which furnish an occasion for sin. We cannot pray God not to tempt us to sin, “for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” (James 1:13). [source]
Romans 1:28 Unto a reprobate mind [εις αδοκιμον νουν]
Play on ουκ εδοκιμασαν — ouk edokimasan They rejected God and God rejected their mental attitude and gave them over (Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28). See this adjective already in 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 13:5-7. Like an old abandoned building, the home of bats and snakes, left “to do those things which are not fitting” (ποιειν τα μη κατηκοντα — poiein ta mē kathēkonta), like the night clubs of modern cities, the dives and dens of the underworld, without God and in the darkness of unrestrained animal impulses. This was a technical term with Stoics (2 Maccabees 6:4). [source]
Romans 1:28 Knowledge [επιγνωσει]
Full knowledge They had a dim memory that was a caricature. Unto a reprobate mind (εις αδοκιμον νουν — eis adokimon noun). Play on ουκ εδοκιμασαν — ouk edokimasan They rejected God and God rejected their mental attitude and gave them over (Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28). See this adjective already in 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 13:5-7. Like an old abandoned building, the home of bats and snakes, left “to do those things which are not fitting” (ποιειν τα μη κατηκοντα — poiein ta mē kathēkonta), like the night clubs of modern cities, the dives and dens of the underworld, without God and in the darkness of unrestrained animal impulses. This was a technical term with Stoics (2 Maccabees 6:4). [source]
1 Corinthians 9:27 And bring it into bondage [και δουλαγωγω]
Late compound verb from δουλαγωγος — doulagōgos in Diodorus Siculus, Epictetus and substantive in papyri. It is the metaphor of the victor leading the vanquished as captive and slave. Lest by any means (μη πως — mē pōs). Common conjunction for negative purpose with subjunctive as here (γενωμαι — genōmai second aorist middle). After that I have preached to others First aorist active participle of κηρυσσω — kērussō (see note on 1 Corinthians 1:23), common verb to preach, from word κηρυχ — kērux (herald) and that is probably the idea here. A κηρυχ — kērux at the games announced the rules of the game and called out the competitors. So Paul is not merely a herald, but a competitor also. I myself should be rejected (αυτος αδοκιμος γενωμαι — autos adokimos genōmai). Literally, “I myself should become rejected.” Αδοκιμος — Adokimos is an old adjective used of metals, coin, soil (Hebrews 6:8) and in a moral sense only by Paul in N.T. (1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 13:5-7; Romans 1:28; Titus 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:8). It means not standing the test (δοκιμος — dokimos from δοκιμαζω — dokimazō). Paul means rejected for the prize, not for the entrance to the race. He will fail to win if he breaks the rules of the game (Matthew 7:22.). What is the prize before Paul? Is it that reward (μιστος — misthos) of which he spoke in 1 Corinthians 9:18, his glorying of preaching a free gospel? So Edwards argues. Most writers take Paul to refer to the possibility of his rejection in his personal salvation at the end of the race. He does not claim absolute perfection (Philemon 3:12) and so he presses on. At the end he has serene confidence (2 Timothy 4:7) with the race run and won. It is a humbling thought for us all to see this wholesome fear instead of smug complacency in this greatest of all heralds of Christ. [source]
1 Corinthians 9:27 After that I have preached to others [αλλοις κηρχας]
First aorist active participle of κηρυσσω — kērussō (see note on 1 Corinthians 1:23), common verb to preach, from word κηρυχ — kērux (herald) and that is probably the idea here. A κηρυχ — kērux at the games announced the rules of the game and called out the competitors. So Paul is not merely a herald, but a competitor also. I myself should be rejected (αυτος αδοκιμος γενωμαι — autos adokimos genōmai). Literally, “I myself should become rejected.” Αδοκιμος — Adokimos is an old adjective used of metals, coin, soil (Hebrews 6:8) and in a moral sense only by Paul in N.T. (1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 13:5-7; Romans 1:28; Titus 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:8). It means not standing the test (δοκιμος — dokimos from δοκιμαζω — dokimazō). Paul means rejected for the prize, not for the entrance to the race. He will fail to win if he breaks the rules of the game (Matthew 7:22.). What is the prize before Paul? Is it that reward (μιστος — misthos) of which he spoke in 1 Corinthians 9:18, his glorying of preaching a free gospel? So Edwards argues. Most writers take Paul to refer to the possibility of his rejection in his personal salvation at the end of the race. He does not claim absolute perfection (Philemon 3:12) and so he presses on. At the end he has serene confidence (2 Timothy 4:7) with the race run and won. It is a humbling thought for us all to see this wholesome fear instead of smug complacency in this greatest of all heralds of Christ. [source]
1 Corinthians 9:27 I myself should be rejected [αυτος αδοκιμος γενωμαι]
Literally, “I myself should become rejected.” Αδοκιμος — Adokimos is an old adjective used of metals, coin, soil (Hebrews 6:8) and in a moral sense only by Paul in N.T. (1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 13:5-7; Romans 1:28; Titus 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:8). It means not standing the test Paul means rejected for the prize, not for the entrance to the race. He will fail to win if he breaks the rules of the game (Matthew 7:22.). What is the prize before Paul? Is it that reward (μιστος — misthos) of which he spoke in 1 Corinthians 9:18, his glorying of preaching a free gospel? So Edwards argues. Most writers take Paul to refer to the possibility of his rejection in his personal salvation at the end of the race. He does not claim absolute perfection (Philemon 3:12) and so he presses on. At the end he has serene confidence (2 Timothy 4:7) with the race run and won. It is a humbling thought for us all to see this wholesome fear instead of smug complacency in this greatest of all heralds of Christ. [source]
Colossians 1:27 Which is Christ in you []
The readings differ. Some read ὅς , masculine, which, referring to the riches: others ὃ , neuter, which, referring to mystery. The latter corresponds with Colossians 2:2, the mystery of God, Christ, etc. In either case the defining words are Christ in you, i.e., in the Gentiles; either as constituting the richness of glory in this mystery, or as being the essence of the myself itself. In you may be either within you, dwelling in your hearts, or among you. The latter accords with among the Gentiles, the former with dwell in your hearts, Ephesians 3:17. Compare Romans 8:10; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 4:19. [source]
1 Timothy 1:2 My own son in the faith [γνησίῳ τέκνῳ ἐν πίστει]
More correctly, “my true child in faith.” Comp. Titus 1:4. With these two exceptions, τέκνον or υἱός ἐν πίστει does not occur in N.T. Ἑν πίστει or τῇ πίστει is not come on Paul; see 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 2:20; 2 Thessalonians 2:13. In the Pastorals, nine times. In Paul joined with ζῇν tolive, εἶναι tobe, στήκειν tostand, βεβαιοῦσθαι tobe established. For γνήσιος truesee 2 Corinthians 8:8; Philemon 2:20; Philemon 4:3. It means natural by birth-relation, therefore true or genuine. [source]
1 John 4:1 Prove the spirits [δοκιμαζετε τα πνευματα]
Put them to the acid test of truth as the metallurgist does his metals. If it stands the test like a coin, it is acceptable (δοκιμος — dokimos 2 Corinthians 10:18), otherwise it is rejected (αδοκιμος — adokimos 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 13:5-7). [source]
1 John 4:1 Believe not every spirit [μη παντι πνευματι πιστευετε]
“Stop believing,” as some were clearly carried away by the spirits of error rampant among them, both Docetic and Cerinthian Gnostics. Credulity means gullibility and some believers fall easy victims to the latest fads in spiritualistic humbuggery.Prove the spirits (δοκιμαζετε τα πνευματα — dokimazete ta pneumata). Put them to the acid test of truth as the metallurgist does his metals. If it stands the test like a coin, it is acceptable (δοκιμος — dokimos 2 Corinthians 10:18), otherwise it is rejected (αδοκιμος — adokimos 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 13:5-7).Many false prophets Jesus had warned people against them (Matthew 7:15), even when they as false Christs work portents (Matthew 24:11, Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22). It is an old story (Luke 6:26) and recurs again and again (Acts 13:6; Revelation 16:13; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10) along with false teachers (2 Peter 2:1).Are gone out (εχεληλυτασιν — exelēluthasin). Perfect active indicative of εχερχομαι — exerchomai Cf. aorist in 1 John 2:19. They are abroad always. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 13:5 mean?

Yourselves examine whether you are in the faith test Or not do you recognize that Jesus Christ [is] you if not unapproved you are
Ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε εἰ ἐστὲ ἐν τῇ πίστει δοκιμάζετε οὐκ ἐπιγινώσκετε ὅτι Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ὑμῖν εἰ μήτι ἀδόκιμοί ἐστε

Ἑαυτοὺς  Yourselves 
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἑαυτοῦ  
Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves.
πειράζετε  examine 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: πειράζω  
Sense: to try whether a thing can be done.
εἰ  whether 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: εἰ  
Sense: if, whether.
ἐστὲ  you  are 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
πίστει  faith 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις  
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.
δοκιμάζετε  test 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: δοκιμάζω 
Sense: to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals.
ἐπιγινώσκετε  do  you  recognize 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἐπιγινώσκω  
Sense: to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
Ἰησοῦς  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
Χριστὸς  Christ  [is] 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
ἀδόκιμοί  unapproved 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀδόκιμος  
Sense: not standing the test, not approved.
ἐστε  you  are 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.