2 Corinthians 5:13
in 2 Corinthians 5If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.
KJV
For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 5
Commentary
13 notes on this verseIf we say something lofty (this is what the apostle calls "being beside ourselves," or, in other places, "madness"), we do this for God, so that you, considering us weak, may not become proud and perish; but if we say something humbly and with self-abasement, …
This site's exposition
what it means to fear the Lord
on 2 Corinthians 5:11-13
Paul writes since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. The judgment seat of verse 10 gives that fear its weight.
This site's exposition
out of our mind
Albert Barnes thinks the rival teachers had called Paul mad. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown note the change of tense, one past moment of being beside himself set against a settled soundness of mind.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
And if, saith he, we have uttered any great thing, (for this is what he here calls being beside himself, as therefore in other places also he calls it folly) for God's sake we do this, lest ye thinking us to be worthless should despise us and perish; or if again any modest and lowly thing, it is for your sakes that ye may learn to be lowly-minded. Or else, again, he means this. If any one thinks us to be mad, we seek for our reward from God, for Whose sake we are of this suspected; but if he thinks us sober, let him reap the advantage of our soberness. And again, in another way. Does any one say we are mad? For God's sake are we in such sort mad.
What Paul has said is sane from his hearers' point of view, as long as it is understood in the sense in which it was uttered, but if it is thought to have been spoken out of boastfulness, it is insane. For all pride is …
The Medieval Church1 voice
Now we must see how he procured their salvation even in the way he taught. Hence he says, for if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. This is explained in two ways: …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
For whether we be besides ourselves,.... As some took them to be, and as Festus thought the Apostle Paul was, because of the doctrines they preached, and the self-commendation they were obliged to enter into through the calumnies of their adversaries; in which they did not so much seek their own reputation, as the honour and glory of God, which was struck at through them: it is to God; it is for his glory, and not our own, that we act this part, for which we are condemned as madmen.
For if we are transported beyond ourselves - Or at least, appear so to others, treated of, 2 Cor. v, 15-21, speaking or writing with uncommon vehemence. It is to God - He understands (if men do not) the emotion which himself inspires.
5 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
But the apostle tells them, 1. It was for the glory of God, and the good of the church, that he was thus zealous and industrious: " Whether we be beside ourselves, or whether we be sober (whether you or others do think the one or the other), it is to God, and for his glory: and it is for your cause, or to promote your good,"
If they manifested the greatest ardour and vehemency at some times, and used the greatest calmness in strong reasonings at other times, it was for the best ends; and in both methods they had good reason for what they did. The love of Christ constrained them,
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
For whether we be beside ourselves - This is probably designed to meet some of the charges which the false teachers in Corinth brought against him, and to furnish his friends there with a ready answer, as well as to show them the true principles on which he acted, and his real love for them. It is altogether probable that he was charged with being deranged; that many who boasted themselves of prudence, and soberness, and wisdom, regarded him as acting like a madman.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
be--rather as Greek, "have been." The contrast is between the single act implied by the past tense, "If we have ever been beside ourselves," and the habitual state implied by the present, "Or whether we be sober," that is, of sound mind. beside ourselves--The accusation brought by Festus against him (Ac 26:24).
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
Beside ourselves - Probably he was reputed by some to be deranged. Festus thought so: Paul, thou art beside thyself; too much learning hath made thee mad. And his enemies at Corinth might insinuate not only that he was deranged, but attribute his derangement to a less worthy cause than intense study and deep learning. It is to God - If we do appear, in speaking of the glories of the eternal world, to be transported beyond ourselves, it is through the good hand of our God upon us, and we do it to promote his honor. Whether we be sober - Speak of Divine things in a more cool and dispassionate manner, it is that we may the better instruct and encourage you.
The words behind it
7 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| εἴτε | eite | If | G1535 → | 65 times |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| ἐξέστημεν, | exestemen | we are crazy, | G1839 → | |
| θεῷ· | theo | [it is] for God; | G2316 → | 1312 times |
| εἴτε | eite | or if | G1535 → | 65 times |
| σωφρονοῦμεν, | sophronoumen | we are sober-minded | G4993 → | |
| ὑμῖν. | humin | [it is] for you. | G4771 → | 2973 times |
εἴτεIf
eiteG1535 →65 times
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
ἐξέστημεν,we are crazy,
exestemenG1839 →
θεῷ·[it is] for God;
theoG2316 →1312 times
εἴτεor if
eiteG1535 →65 times
σωφρονοῦμεν,we are sober-minded
sophronoumenG4993 →
ὑμῖν.[it is] for you.
huminG4771 →2973 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Romans 12:3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure…
it leads to
- Galatians 6:3
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- Philippians 2:3–8
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
- Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- 1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.
- Galatians 6:3
Through
2 Corinthians 11:1I hope you will bear with a little of my foolishness, but you are already doing that.
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 1:21
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
- 2 Corinthians 11:4
For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you…
- 1 Corinthians 1:21
Through
2 Corinthians 12:6Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in…
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 11:16
I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
- 2 Corinthians 11:16
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies12
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily 11 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.