Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:1 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 2Co 13:1 |
Strong Concordance |
This [5124] is the third [5154] time I am coming [2064] to [4314] you [5209]. In [1909] the mouth [4750] of two [1417] or [2532] three [5140] witnesses [3144] shall [2476] every [3956] word [4487] be established [2476]. |
| |
King James |
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
HE THREATENS A SEVERE PROOF OF HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY, BUT PREFERS THEY WOULD SPARE HIM THE NECESSITY FOR IT. (Co2 13:1-14)
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 Act 18:1; Act 20:2.
In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established--Quoted from Deu 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 (Co2 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. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
This is the third time ... - see the note on Co2 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; Deu 20:16; see the note on Joh 8:17; compare Mat 18:16. But in regard to its application here, commentators are not agreed. Some suppose that Paul refers to his own epistles which he had sent to them as the two or three witnesses by which his promise to them would be made certain; that he had purposed it and promised it two or three times, and that as this was all that was required by the Law, it would certainly be established. This is the opinion of Bloomfield, Rosenmuller, Grotius, Hammond, Locke, and some others. But, with all the respect due to such great names, it seems to me that this would be trifling and childish in the extreme. Lightfoot supposes that he refers to Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who would be witnesses to them of his purpose; see Co1 16:17. But the more probable opinion, it seems to me, is that of Doddridge, Macknight, and others, that he anticipated that there wound be necessity for the administration of discipline there, but that he would feel himself under obligation in administering it to adhere to the reasonable maxim of the Jewish Law. No one should be condemned or punished where there was not at least two or three witnesses to prove the offence. But where there were, discipline would be administered according to the nature of the crime. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
The third time
The great mass of modern expositors hold that Paul made three visits to Corinth, of the second of which there is no record.
I am coming
The third visit which I am about to pay. Alford observes that had not chronological theories intervened, no one would ever have thought of any other rendering. Those who deny the second visit explain: this is the third time that I have been intending to come. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| I am coming this third time - He had been coming twice before, though he did not actually come. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
This is the third time I am coming to you - These words are nearly the same with those Co2 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 the Christian Church. By his second coming we are to understand his first epistle to them; and, by his being now ready to come to them the third time, we are to understand this second epistle, which he was then going to send them. These were the two witnesses, and the apostle the third, which he gave to the Corinthians concerning the truth of his own ministry, or the falsity of the ministry of the pretended apostle.
Calmet contends that the apostle had been twice before at Corinth, and that he now purposed to go a third time; and that these visits were the two or three witnesses to which the apostle appeals.
Dr. Lightfoot thinks that the two or three witnesses were Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, sent to assure them of his coming. But this opinion cannot be supported.
With respect to the two or three witnesses establishing the subject, Dr. Whitby says. "Though these words seem to be cited from Deu 19:15, rather than from Mat 18:16, it being rare to find this apostle citing any thing from the New Testament, without calling it an ordinance of the Lord, yet it is probable that he here alludes to the practice there prescribed for the reclaiming of offenders. And then his first epistle being written with this introduction: Paul an apostle, and Sosthenes; his second thus: Paul and Timotheus; may pass for two or three witnesses; and his presence the third time in person, to exercise his censures on those offenders, before the body of the Church, may bear a fair resemblance to our Lord's prescription in the above case: If thy brother offend," etc. - So far Whitby. See my notes on Mat 18:16 (note). |
12 Truly [3303] the signs [4592] of an apostle [652] were wrought [2716] among [1722] you [5213] in [1722] all [3956] patience [5281], in [1722] signs [4592], and [2532] wonders [5059], and [2532] mighty deeds [1411].
15 One [0259] witness [05707] shall not rise up [06965] against a man [0376] for any iniquity [05771], or for any sin [02403], in any sin [02399] that he sinneth [02398]: at the mouth [06310] of two [08147] witnesses [05707], or at the mouth [06310] of three [07969] witnesses [05707], shall the matter [01697] be established [06965].
2 And [1161] when he had gone over [1330] those [1565] parts [3313], and [2532] had given [4183] them [846] much [4183] exhortation [3870] [3056], he came [2064] into [1519] Greece [1671],
1 [1161] After [3326] these things [5023] Paul [3972] departed [5563] from [1537] Athens [116], and came [2064] to [1519] Corinth [2882];
1 This [5124] is the third [5154] time I am coming [2064] to [4314] you [5209]. In [1909] the mouth [4750] of two [1417] or [2532] three [5140] witnesses [3144] shall [2476] every [3956] word [4487] be established [2476].
2 I told you before [4280], and [2532] foretell you [4302], as if [5613] I were present [3918], the second [1208] time; and [2532] being absent [548] now [3568] I write [1125] to them which heretofore have sinned [4258], and [2532] to all [3956] other [3062], that [3754], if [1437] I come [2064] again [1519] [3825], I will [5339] not [3756] spare [5339]:
3 Since [1893] ye seek [2212] a proof [1382] of Christ [5547] speaking [2980] in [1722] me [1698], which [3739] to [1519] you-ward [5209] is [770] not [3756] weak [770], but [235] is mighty [1414] in [1722] you [5213].
4 For [1063] [2532] though [1487] he was crucified [4717] through [1537] weakness [769], yet [235] he liveth [2198] by [1537] the power [1411] of God [2316]. For [1063] we [2249] also [2532] are weak [770] in [1722] him [846], but [235] we shall live [2198] with [4862] him [846] by [1537] the power [1411] of God [2316] toward [1519] you [5209].
5 Examine [3985] yourselves [1438], whether [1487] ye be [2075] in [1722] the faith [4102]; prove [1381] your own selves [1438]. [2228] Know ye [1921] not [3756] your own selves [1438], how that [3754] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] is [2076] in [1722] you [5213], except [1509] ye be [2075] reprobates [5100] [96]?
6 But [1161] I trust [1679] that [3754] ye shall know [1097] that [3754] we [2249] are [2070] not [3756] reprobates [96].
7 Now [1161] I pray [2172] to [4314] God [2316] that ye [5209] do [3361] [4160] no [3367] evil [2556]; not [3756] that [2443] we [2249] should appear [5316] approved [1384], but [235] that [2443] ye [5210] should do [4160] that which is honest [2570], though [1161] we [2249] be [5600] as [5613] reprobates [96].
8 For [1063] we can do [1410] nothing [3756] [5100] against [2596] the truth [225], but [235] for [5228] the truth [225].
9 For [1063] we [2249] are glad [5463], when [3752] we are weak [770], and [1161] ye [5210] are [5600] strong [1415]: and [1161] this [5124] also [2532] we wish [2172], even your [5216] perfection [2676].
10 Therefore [5124] [1223] I write [1125] these things [5023] being absent [548], lest [3363] being present [3918] I should use [5530] sharpness [664], according [2596] to the power [1849] which [3739] the Lord [2962] hath given [1325] me [3427] to [1519] edification [3619], and [2532] not [3756] to [1519] destruction [2506].
11 Finally [3063], brethren [80], farewell [5463]. Be perfect [2675], be of good comfort [3870], be of one [846] mind [5426], live in peace [1514]; and [2532] the God [2316] of love [26] and [2532] peace [1515] shall be [2071] with [3326] you [5216].
12 Greet [782] one another [240] with [1722] an holy [40] kiss [5370].
13 All [3956] the saints [40] salute [782] you [5209].
14 The grace [5485] of the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], and [2532] the love [26] of God [2316], and [2532] the communion [2842] of the Holy [40] Ghost [4151], be with [3326] you [5216] all [3956]. Amen [281].
17 [1161] I am glad [5463] of [1909] the coming [3952] of Stephanas [4734] and [2532] Fortunatus [5415] and [2532] Achaicus [883]: for that [3754] which was lacking [5303] on your part [5216] they [3778] have supplied [378].
16 But [1161] if [3362] he will [191] not [3362] hear [191] thee, then take [3880] with [3326] thee [4675] one [1520] or [2228] two [1417] more [2089], that [2443] in [1909] the mouth [4750] of two [1417] or [2228] three [5140] witnesses [3144] every [3956] word [4487] may be established [2476].
17 [2532] It is [1125] also [1161] written [1125] in [1722] your [5212] law [3551], that [3754] the testimony [3141] of two [1417] men [444] is [2076] true [227].
16 But of the cities [05892] of these people [05971], which the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] doth give [05414] thee for an inheritance [05159], thou shalt save alive [02421] nothing that breatheth [05397]:
14 Behold [2400], the third time [5154] I am [2192] ready [2093] to come [2064] to [4314] you [5209]; and [2532] I will [2655] not [3756] be burdensome [2655] to you [5216]: for [1063] I seek [2212] not [3756] yours [5216], but [235] you [5209]: for [1063] the children [5043] ought [3784] not [3756] to lay up [2343] for the parents [1118], but [235] the parents [1118] for the children [5043].
16 But [1161] if [3362] he will [191] not [3362] hear [191] thee, then take [3880] with [3326] thee [4675] one [1520] or [2228] two [1417] more [2089], that [2443] in [1909] the mouth [4750] of two [1417] or [2228] three [5140] witnesses [3144] every [3956] word [4487] may be established [2476].
16 But [1161] if [3362] he will [191] not [3362] hear [191] thee, then take [3880] with [3326] thee [4675] one [1520] or [2228] two [1417] more [2089], that [2443] in [1909] the mouth [4750] of two [1417] or [2228] three [5140] witnesses [3144] every [3956] word [4487] may be established [2476].
15 One [0259] witness [05707] shall not rise up [06965] against a man [0376] for any iniquity [05771], or for any sin [02403], in any sin [02399] that he sinneth [02398]: at the mouth [06310] of two [08147] witnesses [05707], or at the mouth [06310] of three [07969] witnesses [05707], shall the matter [01697] be established [06965].
14 Behold [2400], the third time [5154] I am [2192] ready [2093] to come [2064] to [4314] you [5209]; and [2532] I will [2655] not [3756] be burdensome [2655] to you [5216]: for [1063] I seek [2212] not [3756] yours [5216], but [235] you [5209]: for [1063] the children [5043] ought [3784] not [3756] to lay up [2343] for the parents [1118], but [235] the parents [1118] for the children [5043].