A Proof of Christ Speaking 2 Corinthians 13:3

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:”, and in chapter thirteen and verse three of Second Corinthians, Paul shared how the church members were seeking, “a proof of Christ speaking in” him where we read:

Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

The verse begins, “Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, ...” Paul began with the word, “since” or “because, otherwise, else and forasmuch” “you seek a proof” which means “the church members aim for, strive after, require, demand and crave approval, tried character and a specimen of tried worth” “of Christ” which refers to “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “speaking” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” “in me” which refers to “Paul himself”. The church members in Corinth wanted “proof” that Jesus spoke through Paul.

The verse continues, “ … which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.” Paul added the words, “which to you-ward” which means “that toward the church members” “is not weak” or “is not feeble, without strength, powerless, needy and poor”, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, an exception, nay, rather and moreover” “is mighty” or “is powerful and able” “in you” which refers to “to the church members”. Paul's “proof” of Jesus speaking through him was that Christ was “strong and powerful” among the church members

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how the church members desired to know Jesus was “speaking” through him, so Paul referenced how the Lord Jesus was “powerful” among the church members. The church members only needed to look at Jesus' influence among them. Paul was used by the Lord to share the “gospel” with the church members in Corinth, and as he trained and worked with them, the church grew in their relationship with God. Jesus desires to change people's lives, and when He does, He uses them to share His “power and might” in and through others.

Next time Paul tells the church members though Jesus, “was crucified through weakness, yet he lives by the power of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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