2 Corinthians 5:13 - How to interpret

[GodHeals]

Hi, Does this verse mean what I think it does? I am thinking it appears that we are “out of our minds” when we are doing God’s will, since it is contrary to the world and culture in which we live. If in the right mind, we are doing understandably worldly things.

Agreed or No?

Thoughts? God Bless You! Brian

2 Corinthians 5:13

New International Version (NIV)

13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

 

[Amphigoree]

I’m not really sure. But it reminds me of the story of St. Francis of Assissi.
He was from a rich family and he gave up everything for God. And everyone called him a madman.

"Francis, threw all his money in the alms box, exchanged his clothes for those of a beggar and started to beg in front of San Pietro’s.

Another event we know is when Francis was in the plains near Assisi, where he met a leper.

Francis was able to overcome his revulsion and his instinct of self-preservation which would have made him run away, so he came up to the leper and kissed him with love, then he continued on his way.

…

His friends gradually shut Francis out since they couldn’t understand what was happening to him.

His father was distraught because he had his expectations for his eldest son failed.

…

Francis went on behaving more and more strangely, up to when he start walking around Assisi dressed in rags and very dirty.

Poor Pietro Bernardone found, or better, picked up him in that condition.

Convinced that his son was mad, he took Francis home and locked him up in a room.
But his mother set him free.
…

He stripped off all his clothes – the clothes his father had given him – until he was wearing only a hair shirt. In front of the crowd that had gathered he said, “Pietro Bernardone is no longer my father. From now on I can say with complete freedom, ‘Our Father who art in heaven.’” Wearing nothing but castoff rags, he went off into the freezing woods – singing. And when robbers beat him later and took his clothes, he climbed out of the ditch and went off singing again. From then on Francis had nothing…and everything.

"

Sorry, if it’s a bit off topic.

 

[GodHeals]

I’m not really sure. But it reminds me of the story of St. Francis of Assissi.
He was from a rich family and he gave up everything for God. And everyone called him a madman.

"Francis, threw all his money in the alms box, exchanged his clothes for those of a beggar and started to beg in front of San Pietro’s.

Another event we know is when Francis was in the plains near Assisi, where he met a leper.

Francis was able to overcome his revulsion and his instinct of self-preservation which would have made him run away, so he came up to the leper and kissed him with love, then he continued on his way.

…

His friends gradually shut Francis out since they couldn’t understand what was happening to him.

His father was distraught because he had his expectations for his eldest son failed.

…

Francis went on behaving more and more strangely, up to when he start walking around Assisi dressed in rags and very dirty.

Poor Pietro Bernardone found, or better, picked up him in that condition.

Convinced that his son was mad, he took Francis home and locked him up in a room.
But his mother set him free.
…

He stripped off all his clothes – the clothes his father had given him – until he was wearing only a hair shirt. In front of the crowd that had gathered he said, “Pietro Bernardone is no longer my father. From now on I can say with complete freedom, ‘Our Father who art in heaven.’” Wearing nothing but castoff rags, he went off into the freezing woods – singing. And when robbers beat him later and took his clothes, he climbed out of the ditch and went off singing again. From then on Francis had nothing…and everything.

"

Sorry, if it’s a bit off topic.

It is okay, maybe God wanted me to read that! God Bless You and thank you for sharing as it seem what you wrote was good for me to read!

I wonder why St. Francis said he was free. I know family is important and God is always first. It seems St. Francis shamed his father in public a little bit?

 

[GodHeals]

Hi, Are there any other thoughts on how to interpret this verse? Thank you!
Brian

 

[garysibio]

Hi, Does this verse mean what I think it does? I am thinking it appears that we are “out of our minds” when we are doing God’s will, since it is contrary to the world and culture in which we live. If in the right mind, we are doing understandably worldly things.

Agreed or No?

Thoughts? God Bless You! Brian

My opinion for what it’s worth:

Paul is saying that some people are looking at him and saying he’s one can fry short of a Happy Meal. He’s blowing them off and saying that he does the things that make him look nuts in the eyes of those who don’t understand for the benefit of the Corinthians, in this instance, but really for all of us.

 

[fred_conty]

Maybe it has to do with speaking in tongues which noone understands and is done in praise of God. But speaking in our mind, that is, in our own native tongue, is for you.

Just a guess.

 

[garysibio]

Maybe it has to do with speaking in tongues which noone understands and is done in praise of God. But speaking in our mind, that is, in our own native tongue, is for you.

Just a guess.

Good possibility.

 

[Aloysium]

as i understand this:

being “out of our minds”, refers to the social label applied to a person who is behaving in a not normal (like everyone else) manner

i sometimes get elated thinking/talking about God, and not infrequently i lose ppl, but i try to make sense so that others can share in the joy i feel

 

[PJM]

=GodHeals;10223424]Hi, Does this verse mean what I think it does? I am thinking it appears that we are “out of our minds” when we are doing God’s will, since it is contrary to the world and culture in which we live. If in the right mind, we are doing understandably worldly things.

Agreed or No?

Thoughts? God Bless You! Brian

My friend; it seems to me you may not have the best Translation?

here is the D. R. Bible verses 11-15 "Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we use persuasion to men; but to God we are manifest. And I trust also that in your consciences we are manifest. We commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory in our behalf; that you may have somewhat to answer them who glory in face, and not in heart. [13] “For whether we be transported in mind, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for you.”… For the charity of Christ presseth us: judging this, that if one died for all, then all were dead. And Christ died for all; that they also who live, may not now live to themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again

AND here from the RSV Bible is verse 5:l3
" For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you."

 

[GodHeals]

My friend; it seems to me you may not have the best Translation?

here is the D. R. Bible verses 11-15 "Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we use persuasion to men; but to God we are manifest. And I trust also that in your consciences we are manifest. We commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory in our behalf; that you may have somewhat to answer them who glory in face, and not in heart. [13] “For whether we be transported in mind, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for you.”… For the charity of Christ presseth us: judging this, that if one died for all, then all were dead. And Christ died for all; that they also who live, may not now live to themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again

AND here from the RSV Bible is verse 5:l3
" For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you."

Hi Pat!

I like the RSV, I usually just go online and pull verses from biblegateway.com since it is easy to do. I still am trying to understand what it means…

Some people mentioned it had to do with tongues? I wonder if i am far off in what I said?
God Bless You,
Brian

 

[Glacies]

St. Thomas Aquinas in his commentary gives two explanations using a different form of the verse: “For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.” The first is that it indicates commending oneself for the honor of God or refraining from this for the sake of the neighbour, while the second is that it signifies contemplating God in order to receive graces or teaching people according to their state. Cf. Commentary on 2. Corinthians, 5:11-15

According to this he is saying: no matter how we teach, it is either for the honor of God or the benefit of his neighbor; for if we are beside ourselves, i.e., commend ourselves, it is for God, i.e., for the honor of God or for observing God’s judgment; if we are in our right mind [if we are sober], i.e., not saying great things about ourselves, this is for you, i.e., for your profit.

Hence it was necessary that sometimes they raised themselves to God by contemplation to obtain heavenly things, and sometimes conformed themselves to the people to deliver what they had received from God; and all this tended to their profit. Hence he says, for if we are beside ourselves, i.e., raised to the state of receiving gifts of graces, and this in order to be united to God, which is done by means of temporal things: “I said in my vision” (Ps. 116:11, Vulgate); Dionysius: “Divine love causes ecstasy.” If we are in our right mind, i.e., adapt ourselves to you by delivering God’s precepts, it is for you, i.e., for your benefit.

 

[PJM]

=GodHeals;10227601]Hi Pat!

I like the RSV, I usually just go online and pull verses from biblegateway.com since it is easy to do. I still am trying to understand what it means…

Some people mentioned it had to do with tongues? I wonder if i am far off in what I said?
God Bless You,
Brian

Hi Brian

Here’s Haydocks take on it: http://haydock1859.tripod.com/id183.html

Ver. 13. For whether we be transported in mind, and out of zeal for the good of others seem to exceed in speaking of ourselves, it is to God, for God’s honour and that of his ministers: or whether we be more moderate,[3] (literally, sober ) that is, if I speak not, even what with truth I might, of my own actions, it is to you, to give you an example of modesty and humility

I can see where one might think it has to do with tongues.

God Bless my friend,

pat/PJM

 

[Amphigoree]

It is okay, maybe God wanted me to read that! God Bless You and thank you for sharing as it seem what you wrote was good for me to read!

I wonder why St. Francis said he was free. I know family is important and God is always first. It seems St. Francis shamed his father in public a little bit?

I had to cut some parts because my post was very long. This explains Francis’ actions

"While he was praying there, he heard Christ on the crucifix speak to him, “Francis, repair my church.” Francis assumed this meant church with a small c – the crumbling building he was in. Acting again in his impetuous way, he took fabric from his father’s shop and sold it to get money to repair the church. His father saw this as an act of theft – and put together with Francis’ cowardice, waste of money, and his growing disinterest in money made Francis seem more like a madman than his son. Pietro dragged Francis before the bishop and in front of the whole town demanded that Francis return the money and renounce all rights as his heir. " And so Francis did.

God bless you too.

 

[GodHeals]

I had to cut some parts because my post was very long. This explains Francis’ actions

"While he was praying there, he heard Christ on the crucifix speak to him, “Francis, repair my church.” Francis assumed this meant church with a small c – the crumbling building he was in. Acting again in his impetuous way, he took fabric from his father’s shop and sold it to get money to repair the church. His father saw this as an act of theft – and put together with Francis’ cowardice, waste of money, and his growing disinterest in money made Francis seem more like a madman than his son. Pietro dragged Francis before the bishop and in front of the whole town demanded that Francis return the money and renounce all rights as his heir. " And so Francis did.

God bless you too.

Thank you, God Bless You! Brian

 

[GodHeals]

Thank you all for the postings!