2 Corinthians 13:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul tells them to turn the test inward and examine whether they are truly in the faith, with Christ dwelling in them.
What Does 2 Corinthians 13:5 Mean?
Having answered their demand for proof of his ministry, Paul redirects the inquiry. Instead of testing him, let them test themselves: are they in the faith? Is Jesus Christ truly in them? The question they should be asking is not about Paul's credentials but about their own standing before God.
Self-examination is the heart's honest mirror. It is not morbid doubt but loving vigilance, the readiness to ask whether our daily life matches our profession. Christ dwelling within is the deepest mark of belonging to Him, and a faith never examined can drift unnoticed. Paul calls them, and us, to look inward with courage, trusting that the One who searches us also strengthens what He finds.
2 Corinthians 13:5 in the Original Language
peirazo (πειράζω), 'examine' -- to test or try, to put to the proof in order to discover what is genuine.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 13:5
What does 2 Corinthians 13:5 mean?
Paul tells them to turn the test inward and examine whether they are truly in the faith, with Christ dwelling in them.