2 Corinthians 13:1

2 Corinthians 13:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
• New International Version (NIV)This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
• New King James Version (NKJV)This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

Context of 2 Corinthians 13:1

This is the third time that I am coming to you. On the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter shall be confirmed. 2I have previously said when I was present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, 3since you are seeking proof of the Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.

2 Corinthians 13:1 word by word

Τρίτον τοῦτο ἔρχομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς. ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων καὶ τριῶν σταθήσεται πᾶν ῥῆμα.Read the interlinear

• Thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• is the thirdτρίτοςtritos · thirdG5154
• that I am comingἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• testimonyστόμαstoma · mouthG4750
• of twoδύοduo · twoG1417
• orκαίkai · andG2532
• threeτρεῖςtreis tria · ThreeG5140
• witnessesμάρτυςmartus · witnessG3144
• everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• matterῥῆμαrhēma · declarationG4487
• shall be confirmedἵστημιhistēmi · to standG2476

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 13:1

• 2 Corinthians 12:14Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
• Numbers 35:30‘If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
• Deuteronomy 17:6On the testimony of two witnesses or three witnesses, the condemned shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
• Deuteronomy 19:15“A single witness shall not rise up against a person regarding any wrongdoing or any sin that he commits; on the testimony of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.
• 1 Kings 21:10and seat two worthless men opposite him, and have them testify against him, saying, ‘You cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
• Matthew 18:16But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be confirmed.
• Matthew 26:60They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward,
• John 8:17Even in your Law it has been written that the testimony of two people is true.
• Hebrews 10:28Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1This is the third time I am coming to you - These words are nearly the same with those 2 Corinthians 12:14; and probably refer to the purpose which he had twice before formed of seeing them. But the latter clause seems to attach a different meaning to the passage; at least so it has been understood by some learned men. Schoettgen thus interprets the whole: the first coming of the apostle to Corinth was when he personally visited them, and there founded…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1This is the third time … - see the note on 2 Corinthians 12:14. For an interesting view of this passage, see Paley‘s Horae Paulinae on this Epistle, No. 11: It is evident that Paul had been to Corinth but once before this, but he had resolved to go before a second time, but had been disappointed. In the mouth of two or three witnesses … - This was what the Law of Moses required; Deuteronomy 20:16; see the note on John 8:17; compare Matthew 18:16. But in…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The apostle threatens obstinate offenders. (1-6) He prays for their reformation. (7-10) And ends the epistle with a salutation and blessing. (11-14) Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2Paul announced his plan to return to Corinth for the third time (see study note on 12:14–15). He found support for his plan in the Scriptures. The reason for this quote is unclear. However, considering the context of Deuteronomy 19:15, Paul might have wanted to warn them. He intended to judge every wrongdoing (listed in 2 Corinthians 12:20–21) upon his arrival. The two or three witnesses against the Corinthian wrongdoers were Paul's letters or visits and…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-142Co 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…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 13:1

• Church
• Corinth
• Quotations and Allusions
• Witness

In the dictionaries

• Corinth
• Examine
• Prove
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Judge
• Paul, the Apostle
• Witness

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings