2 Corinthians 5:13
For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
Cross-references
In 2 Corinthians 12:11, Paul admits making a fool of himself, directly connecting to the 'out of our mind' statement.
2 Corinthians 12:6 discusses refraining from boasting to avoid being thought a fool, relating to the 'out of mind' vs 'right mind'.
In 2 Corinthians 11:17, Paul speaks as a fool in boasting, directly continuing the foolishness theme.
2 Corinthians 11:16 continues the theme of being considered a fool and boasting, echoing the 'out of our mind' concept.
In 2 Corinthians 11:1, Paul asks to bear with his 'foolishness,' directly linking to the 'out of our mind' statement.
In 2 Corinthians 12:19, Paul clarifies his speaking is for God and your upbuilding—reinforcing that being 'beside ourselves' (5:13) is for God and others.
Acts 26:24 shows Festus calling Paul 'out of your mind,' the very accusation Paul references.
1 Corinthians 4:10-13 describes apostles as fools for Christ, enduring suffering and shame — amplifying the 'beside ourselves for God' aspect.
Romans 12:3 urges sober judgment (same Greek root as 'in our right mind'), directly reinforcing Paul's call to balanced, humble thinking.
Acts 26:25 shows Paul defending himself against the charge of madness, directly mirroring the 'beside ourselves' scenario in the main verse.
2 Samuel 6:21 shows David willing to appear foolish before the Lord, prefiguring Paul's readiness to be 'beside ourselves for God'.
2 Samuel 6:22 deepens David's humility — 'even more undignified' — echoing Paul's abandonment to God's glory.
In Mark 3:21, Jesus' own family thought he was out of his mind—a strong parallel to Paul's being considered mad for his ministry.
In Hosea 9:7, the prophet is called a fool and the man of the spirit mad—directly parallel to Paul's admission of being 'beside ourselves' for God.
In Jeremiah 29:26, false prophets are called 'madmen'—showing how prophetic zeal was labeled as madness, paralleling Paul's experience.
In 2 Kings 9:11, a prophet is called 'this mad fellow'—showing that those zealous for God are often dismissed as mad, just as Paul acknowledges here.
In 1 Chronicles 15:29, David's ecstatic worship is despised by Michal—a parallel to Paul's being 'beside ourselves' for God, criticized by some.
In Jeremiah 20:9, a burning fire compels Jeremiah to speak—similar to Paul's being driven by God even if it appears irrational.
In Job 32:18, Elihu says the spirit compels him to speak—echoing Paul's inner compulsion that might seem 'beside oneself' for God.