2 Corinthians 13:1 This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."

◄ 2 Corinthians 13:1 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."

English Standard Version
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

New American Standard Bible
This is the third time I am coming to you. EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES.

King James Bible
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

International Standard Version
This will be the third time I am coming to you. "Every accusation must be verified by two or three witnesses."

American Standard Version
This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word established.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold, this is the third time I am coming to you: In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word stand.

Darby Bible Translation
This third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every matter be established.

Young's Literal Translation
This third time do I come unto you; on the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every saying be established;

Cross References

Deuteronomy 17:6
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

Deuteronomy 19:15
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Matthew 18:16
But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

2 Corinthians 12:14
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

13:1-6 Though it is God's gracious method to bear long with sinners, yet he will not bear always; at length he will come, and will not spare those who remain obstinate and impenitent. Christ at his crucifixion, appeared as only a weak and helpless man, but his resurrection and life showed his Divine power. So the apostles, how mean and contemptible soever they appeared to the world, yet, as instruments, they manifested the power of God. Let them prove their tempers, conduct, and experience, as gold is assayed or proved by the touchstone. If they could prove themselves not to be reprobates, not to be rejected of Christ, he trusted they would know that he was not a reprobate, not disowned by Christ. They ought to know if Christ Jesus was in them, by the influences, graces, and indwelling of his Spirit, by his kingdom set up in their hearts. Let us question our own souls; either we are true Christians, or we are deceivers. Unless Christ be in us by his Spirit, and power of his love, our faith is dead, and we are yet disapproved by our Judge.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

CHAPTER 13

2Co 13:1-14. He Threatens a Severe Proof of His Apostolic Authority, but Prefers They Would Spare Him the Necessity for It.

1. This is the third time I am coming to you—not merely preparing to come to you. This proves an intermediate visit between the two recorded in Ac 18:1; 20:2.

In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established—Quoted from De 19:15, Septuagint. "I will judge not without examination, nor will I abstain from punishing upon due evidence" [Conybeare and Howson]. I will no longer be among you "in all patience" towards offenders (2Co 12:12). The apostle in this case, where ordinary testimony was to be had, does not look for an immediate revelation, nor does he order the culprits to be cast out of the church before his arrival. Others understand the "two or three witnesses" to mean his two or three visits as establishing either (1) the truth of the facts alleged against the offenders, or (2) the reality of his threats. I prefer the first explanation to either of the two latter.