Deep Dive

II Corinthians 13:4

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For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 4

though--omitted in some of the oldest manuscripts; then translate, "For He was even crucified," &c. through weakness--Greek, "from weakness"; that is, His assumption of our weakness was the source, or necessary condition, from which the possibility of His crucifixion flowed (Heb 2:14; Phi 2:7-8). by--Greek, "from"; "owing to." the power of God--the Father (Rom 1:4; Rom 6:4; Eph 1:20). weak in him--that is, in virtue of our union with Him, and after His pattern, weakness predominates in us for a time (exhibited in our "infirmities" and weak "bodily presence," Co2 10:10; Co2 12:5, Co2 12:9-10; and also in our not putting into immediate exercise our power of punishing offenders, just as Christ for a time kept in abeyance His power). we shall live with him--not only hereafter with Him, free from our present infirmities, in the resurrection life (Phi 3:21), but presently in the exercise of our apostolic authority against offenders, which flows to us in respect to you from the power of God, however "weak" we now seem to you. "With Him," that is, even as He now exercises His power in His glorified resurrection life, after His weakness for a time.

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 4

In this chapter the apostle threatens to be severe against obstinate sinners, and assigns the reason thereof (Co2 13:1-6); then he makes a suitable prayer to God on the behalf of the Corinthians, with the reasons inducing him thereto (Co2 13:7-10), and concludes his epistle with a valediction and a benediction (Co2 13:11-14).

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

I Peter 3:18rank 12

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,

Romans 6:4rank 8

We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

I Corinthians 2:3rank 5

I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

Hebrews 5:7rank 5

During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.

I Corinthians 15:43rank 5

It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.

Romans 14:9rank 4

For this reason Christ died and returned to life, that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

John 10:18rank 4

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”

Philippians 3:10rank 4

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,

Acts 2:36rank 3

Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”

Romans 1:4rank 3

and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

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