Paul’s Third Visit to Corinth
1 This is the third time I am coming to visittn The word “visit” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. you. By the testimonytn Grk “By the mouth.” of two or three witnesses every matter will be established.sn A quotation from Deut 19:15 (also quoted in Matt 18:16; 1 Tim 5:19).
2 I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,tn The word “anyone” is not in the Greek text but is implied.
3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. Hetn Grk “who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. is not weak toward you but is powerful among you.
4 For indeed he was crucified by reason of weakness, but he lives because of God’s power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him, because of God’s power toward you.
5 Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test!tn Or “unless indeed you are disqualified.”
6 And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test!tn Or “that we are not disqualified.”
7 Now we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong, not so that we may appear to have passed the test,tn Or “that we may appear to be approved.” but so that you may do what is righttn Or “what is good.” even if we may appear to have failed the test.tn Or “even if we appear disapproved.”
8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth.
9 For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified.tn Or “fully equipped.”
10 Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrivetn Grk “when I am present,” but in the context of Paul’s third (upcoming) visit to Corinth, this is better translated as “when I arrive.” I may not have to deal harshly with youtn The words “with you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!
Final Exhortations and Greetings
11 Finally, brothers and sisters,tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:8. rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12sn The versification of vv. 12 and 13 in the NET Bible (so also NRSV, NLT) is according to the versification in the NA27 and UBS4 editions of the Greek text. Some translations, however, break the material up into three verses, i.e., 12-14 (NKJV, NASB, NIV). The same material has been translated in each case; the only difference is the versification of that material. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowshiptn Or “communion.” of the Holy Spirit be with you all.tc Most witnesses, especially later ones (א2 D Ψ Ï lat sy bo), conclude this letter with ἀμήν (amhn, “amen”), while several early and important mss (Ì46 א* A B F G 0243 6 33 630 1175 1739 1881 pc sa) lack the particle. Such a conclusion is routinely added by scribes to NT books because a few of these books originally had such an ending (cf. Rom 16:27; Gal 6:18; Jude 25). A majority of Greek witnesses have the concluding ἀμήν in every NT book except Acts, James, and 3 John (and even in these books, ἀμήν is found in some witnesses). It is thus a predictable variant. That so many diverse witnesses lacked the word here is strong testimony to its absence for the original text of 2 Corinthians.
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