The Corinthians, by their rebellious spirit, were putting Paul to the proof; in ver. 5 he reminds them sharply that it is their own standing as Christians which is in question, and not his. "Try _yourselves_," he says, with abrupt emphasis, "_not me_; try _yourselves_, if ye are in the faith; put _yourselves_ to the proof; or know ye not as to _your own selves_, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless, indeed, ye be reprobate." The meaning here is hardly open to doubt:[113] the Apostle urges his readers individually to examine their Christian standing. "Let each," he virtually says, "put himself to the proof, and see whether he is in the faith." There is, indeed, a difficulty in the clause, "Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless, indeed, ye be reprobate." This may be read either as a test, put into their hands to direct them in their self-scrutiny; or as an appeal to them after--or even before--the scrutiny has been made. The manner in which the alternative is introduced--"unless, indeed, ye are reprobates"--a manner plainly suggesting that the alternative in question is _not_ to be assumed, is in favour of taking it in the sense of an appeal. After all, they are a Christian Church with Christ among them, and they cannot but know it. Paul, again, on his side cannot think that they are reprobate, and he hopes they will recognise that _he_ is not, but on the contrary a genuine Apostle, attested by God, and to be acknowledged and obeyed by the Church. Very often that temper which judges others, and calls legitimate spiritual authority in question, is due, as in part it was among the Corinthians, to inward misgivings. It is when people ought to be putting themselves to the proof, and are with cause afraid to begin, that they are most ready to challenge others. It was a kind of self-defence--the self-defence of a bad conscience--when the Corinthians required Paul to demonstrate his apostolic claims before he meddled with their affairs. It was a plea, the sole purpose of which was to enable them to live on as they were, immoral and impenitent. It is properly retorted when he says, "Try _yourselves_ if ye are in the faith; it is in every sense of the word an impertinence to drag in anybody else."