Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who toward you is not weak, but is mighty in you.
Read Chapter 13
Ambrosiaster
AD 400
The Corinthians are seeking proof that Christ is speaking in the apostles. When they do not obey Paul’s teachings, they want to test him to see whether he will dare to exact retribution. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me. Do you mean to disregard my injunctions, in order to see whether I dare and have power to punish the disobedient by the power given me by Christ? So may a teacher say to his rebellious pupil, "Do you wish to feel the weight of my arm, and to try the birch?"
Which to you-ward is not weak. Christ has already shown Himself not weak but powerful, by powerfully working through me so many wonderful miracles, and by so recently punishing the fornicator by my excommunication, and handing him over to Satan as his tormentor. He refers principally to this power of punishing possessed by him.
Do you seek a proof? By the Greek it signifies for you, or in your regard. The sense is, that he has left me power enough to chastise those among you who shall deserve it, when I come. (Witham)
I do not know why you delay your conversion. Can you doubt whether it is God who speaks to you by my mouth, who has great power among you, and who is very capable of punishing you. (Bible de Vence)
Paul will not punish the Corinthians just to prove that he has the power to do so. His patience with them does not stem from weakness but from love and longsuffering.
Seeing that you seek a proof of Christ that speaks in me.
For he said this, dealing at once a blow at these, and at the same time lashing those also. Now what he means is this; 'Since you are desirous of proving whether Christ dwells in me, and call me to an account, and on this score make a mock of me as mean and despicable, as if I were destitute of that Power; you shall know that we are not destitute, if you give us occasion, which God forbid.' What then? Tell me. Do you therefore punish, because they seek a proof? 'No,' he says; for had he sought this, he would have punished them at the first on their sinning, and would not have put off. But that he does not seek this, he has shown more clearly as he proceeds, saying, Now I pray that you do no evil, not that we may appear approved, but that you may be approved, though we be as reprobates. 2 Corinthians 13:7
He does not employ those words then as assigning a reason, but rather in indignation, rather as attacking those that des...
