King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 13:5 Mean?

2 Corinthians 13:5 in the King James Version says “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Chris... — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 ?

2 Corinthians 13:5 · KJV


Context

3

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

4

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. in him: or, with him

5

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 ?

6

But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

7

Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves—Paul turns the tables: those demanding proof (dokimēn, v. 3) of Paul's authority must now dokimazete (δοκιμάζετε, "examine/test") themselves. The present imperative demands ongoing self-examination. The phrase whether ye be in the faith (ei este en tē pistei, εἰ ἐστὲ ἐν τῇ πίστει) questions their fundamental standing—not peripheral issues but salvation itself.

Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? The word adokimoi (ἀδόκιμοι, "reprobates/disqualified/failing the test") is the negative form of the dokimē they demanded—those failing the test are rejected. Paul's logic: if Christ is not in you (Christos en hymin, Χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν), you've failed the ultimate examination. This doctrine of Christ in you (compare Col 1:27, "Christ in you, the hope of glory") is the essence of Christian identity—union with Christ, not mere intellectual assent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Corinthian church exhibited all external marks of Christianity—spiritual gifts, church gatherings, even claims of superior knowledge (1 Cor 8:1)—yet struggled with fundamental sins (incest, factionalism, idolatry). Paul's call to self-examination addresses the dangerous possibility of religious activity without genuine conversion, a perennial danger in church history.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'examine yourself' whether you are 'in the faith'—what are you looking for?
  2. How does 'Christ in you' differ from mere intellectual belief in Christian doctrine?
  3. Why does Paul raise the possibility that professing Christians might be 'reprobates' who failed the test?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
ἑαυτοὺς1 of 24

your own selves

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

πειράζετε2 of 24

Examine

G3985

to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline

εἰ3 of 24

whether

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

ἐστε4 of 24

ye be

G2075

ye are

ἐν5 of 24

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ6 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστει7 of 24

the faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ἑαυτοὺς8 of 24

your own selves

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

δοκιμάζετε·9 of 24

prove

G1381

to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve

10 of 24
G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

οὐκ11 of 24

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐπιγινώσκετε12 of 24

Know ye

G1921

to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge

ἑαυτοὺς13 of 24

your own selves

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ὅτι14 of 24

how that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἰησοῦς15 of 24

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστὸς16 of 24

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἐν17 of 24

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὑμῖν18 of 24

you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἐστίν19 of 24

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

εἰ20 of 24

whether

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μή21 of 24
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

τι22 of 24
G5100

some or any person or object

ἀδόκιμοί23 of 24

reprobates

G96

unapproved, i.e., rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally)

ἐστε24 of 24

ye be

G2075

ye are


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 13:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 13:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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