Second Corinthians shows Paul as a pastor. He passionately desires to win the Christians in Corinth back to himself, convinced that the Good News is above all a message of reconciliation. Paul faced criticism and accusations from fellow Christians who doubted him as a leader. Forced to defend himself, he opens his heart to this congregation to a degree not found in his other letters. Paul faced…
1Esta es la tercera vez que voy a vosotros. Por boca de dos o de tres testigos se decidirá todo asunto.
2He dicho antes, y ahora digo otra vez como si estuviera presente, y ahora ausente lo escribo a los que antes pecaron, y a todos los demás, que si voy otra vez, no seré indulgente;
3pues buscáis una prueba de que habla Cristo en mí, el cual no es débil para con vosotros, sino que es poderoso en vosotros.
4Porque aunque fue crucificado en debilidad, vive por el poder de Dios. Pues también nosotros somos débiles en él, pero viviremos con él por el poder de Dios para con vosotros.
5Examinaos a vosotros mismos si estáis en la fe; probaos a vosotros mismos. ¿O no os conocéis a vosotros mismos, que Jesucristo está en vosotros, a menos que estéis reprobados?
6Mas espero que conoceréis que nosotros no estamos reprobados.
7Y oramos a Dios que ninguna cosa mala hagáis; no para que nosotros aparezcamos aprobados, sino para que vosotros hagáis lo bueno, aunque nosotros seamos como reprobados.
8Porque nada podemos contra la verdad, sino por la verdad.
9Por lo cual nos gozamos de que seamos nosotros débiles, y que vosotros estéis fuertes; y aun oramos por vuestra perfección.
10Por esto os escribo estando ausente, para no usar de severidad cuando esté presente, conforme a la autoridad que el Señor me ha dado para edificación, y no para destrucción.
11Por lo demás, hermanos, tened gozo, perfeccionaos, consolaos, sed de un mismo sentir, y vivid en paz; y el Dios de paz y de amor estará con vosotros.
12Saludaos unos a otros con ósculo santo.
13Todos los santos os saludan.
14La gracia del Señor Jesucristo, el amor de Dios, y la comunión del Espíritu Santo sean con todos vosotros. Amén.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
I
Versículo 1
I. 13:1-2 Announcing his intention to return to Corinth the third time (see study note on 12:14-15),…
13:1-2 Announcing his intention to return to Corinth the third time (see study note on 12:14-15), Paul found confirmation of his plan in the Scriptures. The reason for this quotation is not clear, but perhaps, given the context of Deut 19:15, Paul wanted to warn them that every transgression (listed in 2 Cor 12:20-21) would be judged on his arrival. The two or three witnesses against the Corinthian offenders were Paul’s letters or visits and the promise of his coming the third time.
II
Versículo 3
II. 13:3-4 Christ speaks through me: Paul represented Christ to the Corinthian congregation, and he w…
13:3-4 Christ speaks through me: Paul represented Christ to the Corinthian congregation, and he would exercise God’s power in dealing with them. • Paul’s weakness was patterned on the humiliation of Christ, who was crucified in weakness (see 8:9). Paul’s judgment on the sinners would be tempered by the constraint of Christ’s love (5:14-21). • We, too, are weak: Paul’s humanity was frail, yet he could draw on Christ’s strength (12:10).
III
Versículo 5
III. 13:5-6 The issue is clear cut: If they cannot recognize that Jesus Christ is living among them, t…
13:5-6 The issue is clear cut: If they cannot recognize that Jesus Christ is living among them, they are the ones who have failed the test of genuine faith (literally are disproved). There is a play on words here: They were looking for “proof” of Paul’s apostolic authority, but Paul urges them, Test yourselves (or Prove yourselves). The lack of Christ’s presence would disprove their authenticity as Christians. But Paul himself has demonstrated that he has not failed the test of apostolic authority (literally not been disproved).
IV
Versículo 7
IV. 13:7-10 Whatever the problems Paul faced at Corinth, there is no doubt about his chief desire. He…
13:7-10 Whatever the problems Paul faced at Corinth, there is no doubt about his chief desire. He cherished the highest good for these people, that they would become mature and strong. Paul was always concerned to promote the welfare of his people, even when rebuking them.
13:7 that you will not do what is wrong: They would do wrong by embracing the false teachers who had appeared on the scene (11:5, 13-15; see study note on 10:1–13:13). • even if that makes it look like we have failed: Paul’s motivation in ministry is to be faithful, not to appear successful (1 Cor 4:2). He patterned his service on Jesus Christ himself (2 Cor 13:4), who was outwardly weak and an apparent failure in dying on the cross, but who is now victorious as he lives by the mighty power of God.
V
Versículo 9
V. 13:9 become mature: This Greek word sometimes carries the idea of repair or completion, of restor…
13:9 become mature: This Greek word sometimes carries the idea of repair or completion, of restoring something to its proper condition, as in a return to good health (a related word is used in 13:11, “grow to maturity”; Mark 1:19, “repairing”; 1 Thes 3:10, “fill”; Heb 13:21, “equip”; 1 Pet 5:10, “restore”).
VI
Versículo 10
VI. 13:10 Paul did not want to deal severely with the Corinthians by punishing the offenders (12:21).…
13:10 Paul did not want to deal severely with the Corinthians by punishing the offenders (12:21). He wanted to exercise his apostolic authority in a positive way, but his ministry required him both to strengthen and to tear . . . down (cp. Jer 1:10). • to strengthen you (or to build you up): This is Paul’s favorite expression for a stable Christian community (see Eph 4:12), in which the Lord lives both in and among the believers (2 Cor 13:5).
VII
Versículo 11
VII. 13:11-14 The letter’s conclusion includes Paul’s final appeal (13:11), greetings (13:12-13), and …
13:11-14 The letter’s conclusion includes Paul’s final appeal (13:11), greetings (13:12-13), and a blessing (13:14).
13:11 These last words are Paul’s final instructions. • Be joyful: See also Phil 3:1; 4:4. • Grow to maturity: See study note on 2 Cor 13:9—Paul’s encouragement might be that they aim for restoration. • Encourage each other: The need for encouragement has been very prominent in 2 Corinthians, beginning with 1:3-7. • Live in harmony: Literally Be of the same mind (as in Phil 2:1-4).
VIII
Versículo 12
VIII. 13:12-13 a sacred kiss: The kiss was a common Jewish form of salutation, not only a sign of perso…
13:12-13 a sacred kiss: The kiss was a common Jewish form of salutation, not only a sign of personal affection. Common in the New Testament church (Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 1 Thes 5:26; 1 Pet 5:14), it may have a significance in worship services in uniting fellow believers (the “kiss of peace”). The word for sacred (Greek hagiō) is the same word that is translated God’s people (literally the saints; Greek hagioi) in the next sentence. • God’s people here were the believers in the place from which Paul was writing in Macedonia.
IX
Versículo 14
IX. 13:14 Paul closes his letter with a prayer and blessing. He invokes the three persons of the Trin…
13:14 Paul closes his letter with a prayer and blessing. He invokes the three persons of the Trinity, with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (see 8:9) coming first. This is because we are always relying on Christ’s sacrificial love, which reconciles us to God the Father (5:18-21) and unites us through the fellowship of the Holy Spirit with all our fellow believers. • The love of God provides for our needs and graciously restores us to his family. • The fellowship of the Holy Spirit means our fellowship with the Spirit, who joins Christians together into a unity (Eph 4:3; Phil 2:1).
Nuevo Testamento
2 Corinthians — Capítulo 13
Second Corinthians shows Paul as a pastor. He passionately desires to win the Christians in Corinth back to himself, convinced that the Good News is above all a message of reconciliation. Paul faced criticism and accusations from fellow Christians who doubted him as a leader. Forced to defend himself, he opens his heart to this congregation to a degree not found in his other letters. Paul faced…
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Esta es la tercera vez que voy a vosotros. Por boca de dos o de tres testigos se decidirá todo asunto.
2He dicho antes, y ahora digo otra vez como si estuviera presente, y ahora ausente lo escribo a los que antes pecaron, y a todos los demás, que si voy otra vez, no seré indulgente;
3pues buscáis una prueba de que habla Cristo en mí, el cual no es débil para con vosotros, sino que es poderoso en vosotros.
4Porque aunque fue crucificado en debilidad, vive por el poder de Dios. Pues también nosotros somos débiles en él, pero viviremos con él por el poder de Dios para con vosotros.
5Examinaos a vosotros mismos si estáis en la fe; probaos a vosotros mismos. ¿O no os conocéis a vosotros mismos, que Jesucristo está en vosotros, a menos que estéis reprobados?
6Mas espero que conoceréis que nosotros no estamos reprobados.
7Y oramos a Dios que ninguna cosa mala hagáis; no para que nosotros aparezcamos aprobados, sino para que vosotros hagáis lo bueno, aunque nosotros seamos como reprobados.
8Porque nada podemos contra la verdad, sino por la verdad.
9Por lo cual nos gozamos de que seamos nosotros débiles, y que vosotros estéis fuertes; y aun oramos por vuestra perfección.
10Por esto os escribo estando ausente, para no usar de severidad cuando esté presente, conforme a la autoridad que el Señor me ha dado para edificación, y no para destrucción.
11Por lo demás, hermanos, tened gozo, perfeccionaos, consolaos, sed de un mismo sentir, y vivid en paz; y el Dios de paz y de amor estará con vosotros.
12Saludaos unos a otros con ósculo santo.
13Todos los santos os saludan.
14La gracia del Señor Jesucristo, el amor de Dios, y la comunión del Espíritu Santo sean con todos vosotros. Amén.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
Versículo 1
I. 13:1-2 Announcing his intention to return to Corinth the third time (see study note on 12:14-15),…
Versículo 3
II. 13:3-4 Christ speaks through me: Paul represented Christ to the Corinthian congregation, and he w…
Versículo 5
III. 13:5-6 The issue is clear cut: If they cannot recognize that Jesus Christ is living among them, t…
Versículo 7
IV. 13:7-10 Whatever the problems Paul faced at Corinth, there is no doubt about his chief desire. He…
Versículo 9
V. 13:9 become mature: This Greek word sometimes carries the idea of repair or completion, of restor…
Versículo 10
VI. 13:10 Paul did not want to deal severely with the Corinthians by punishing the offenders (12:21).…
Versículo 11
VII. 13:11-14 The letter’s conclusion includes Paul’s final appeal (13:11), greetings (13:12-13), and …
Versículo 12
VIII. 13:12-13 a sacred kiss: The kiss was a common Jewish form of salutation, not only a sign of perso…
Versículo 14
IX. 13:14 Paul closes his letter with a prayer and blessing. He invokes the three persons of the Trin…