2 Corinthians 13:1 kjv
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
2 Corinthians 13:1 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."
2 Corinthians 13:1 niv
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 esv
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
2 Corinthians 13:1 nlt
This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, "The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses" ).
2 Corinthians 13 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Corinthians 10:1 | Now I, Paul, myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek indeed when face to face with you, but bold towards you when absent— | Paul's approach contrasts boldness in absence vs. meekness in presence. |
| Acts 18:1 | After this Paul went on from Athens and came to Corinth. | First arrival of Paul in Corinth. |
| Acts 18:18 | When Paul had stayed many days longer, he took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, with Aquila and Priscilla attending him. He had his hair cut at Cenchreae, for he was under a vow. | Paul's departure after his initial stay. |
| Acts 19:1 | Now it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. | Paul's travels, possibly hinting at subsequent visits. |
| 1 Corinthians 4:18 | Some are puffed up, as though I were not going to come to you. | Paul's prior intent to visit the Corinthians. |
| 1 Corinthians 16:5 | I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia. For I intend to pass through Macedonia, | Paul's plan to visit after Macedonia. |
| 2 Corinthians 1:15 | And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit, | Paul mentions a previous intended visit. |
| 2 Corinthians 12:14 | This is the third time I am ready to come to you. | Paul states his readiness for a third visit. |
| 1 Thessalonians 3:11 | Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. | Paul's desire to see the Thessalonians. |
| Romans 15:23 | but now I no longer have room in these regions, and I have longed for many years to come to you whenever I go to Spain, | Paul's desire for pastoral engagement. |
| Philippians 4:1 | Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brothers, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. | Paul's affectionate regard for the believers. |
| Titus 1:5 | This is why I left you in Crete, that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— | Apostolic authority to establish order. |
| Hebrews 13:7 | Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. | Remembrance of spiritual leaders. |
| John 14:16 | And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, | Jesus promising the presence of the Spirit. |
| John 15:26 | "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. | The Spirit's role in testifying about Christ. |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. | Paul's call for unity. |
| 1 Corinthians 5:3 | For though absent in body, I am present in spirit, and as if I were present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this. | Apostolic judgment even when absent. |
| 2 Thessalonians 3:14 | If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, do not associate with him, that he may be put to shame. | Commands to disassociate from disobedient. |
| Ephesians 4:2 | with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, | Virtues of Christian conduct. |
| Galatians 1:11 | For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. | Paul's defense of his apostleship. |
| Jude 1:3 | Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I felt compelled to write to urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. | Urging to contend for the faith. |
| 1 Peter 5:2 | shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God chooses—not for shameful gain, but eagerly— | Shepherdly oversight and responsibility. |
2 Corinthians 13 verses
2 Corinthians 13 1 Meaning
This verse serves as a solemn declaration by Paul. He states that this is his third visit to them. He establishes this fact to provide a basis for the seriousness of his message and the authority he holds as an apostle. The implication is that this confrontation is not new or sudden but has been preceded by previous encounters, allowing for established patterns of behavior and relationships to be considered. It emphasizes accountability and the culmination of Paul's pastoral care and correction.
2 Corinthians 13 1 Context
This verse is the opening statement of the final chapter of 2 Corinthians. The epistle itself has been a complex mix of affection, defense of Paul's apostleship, confrontation with opposing influences (often termed "super-apostles"), and appeals for unity and reconciliation within the Corinthian church. Paul has previously faced challenges to his authority and teaching in Corinth, leading to strained relations and a sense of hurt on both sides. This chapter, particularly beginning with the declaration of a third visit, sets the stage for a final confrontation, a reiteration of his apostolic authority, and a challenge to the Corinthians to demonstrate repentance and maturity before his arrival. The emphasis on "third time" is a rhetorical tool to underscore the gravity of the situation and to signify a point of no return in the disciplinary process.
2 Corinthians 13 1 Word analysis
ἔρχομαι (erchomai):
- Meaning: To come, to go.
- Significance: In this context, it denotes Paul's intention to physically come to Corinth. It emphasizes his coming as an action he is about to undertake.
τοῦτο (touto):
- Meaning: This.
- Significance: Refers to the present statement or the current communication Paul is making, specifically the declaration of his impending third visit.
τρίτη (trite):
- Meaning: Third.
- Significance: This is a crucial word. It denotes the third instance of Paul coming to them. This implies previous visits and perhaps even earlier unfulfilled plans or warnings. It marks this occasion as the culmination of a sequence.
prepararion/ Readiness: While not a single word, the Greek word behind "ready" implies being prepared or established. Paul is stating that this third visit is not a vague possibility but a firm intention and a prepared reality.
ἐπι Σὲ (epi Se):
- Meaning: To you, upon you.
- Significance: "Epi" can indicate proximity, direction, or even supervision. It highlights that his visit is directed specifically at the Corinthian community.
"Once more" or "Again": Although not explicitly a single word in English translation here, the implication of a "third" visit naturally suggests that this is a repeated action, and the following verses will expound on this repeated action.
2 Corinthians 13 1 Bonus Section
The number three in scripture often signifies divine completeness, confirmation, or finality. This can be seen in God's three-day journey in Exodus 3:18, Jesus' three temptations in the wilderness, and His resurrection on the third day. Paul uses this number to underscore the seriousness of his intended visit, implying that this will be a definitive encounter where actions, not just words, will reveal the true spiritual state of the Corinthian believers. It’s a final call for repentance before a decisive confrontation, reflecting God's patience while also highlighting the consequences of continued rebellion or unfaithfulness. This emphasizes that Paul's authority is not his own but is delegated by Christ, and he wields it for building up, not tearing down.
2 Corinthians 13 1 Commentary
Paul's declaration of his impending third visit is not merely an announcement of travel plans. It is a weighty statement steeped in pastoral authority and biblical precedent. By stating it's his "third time," he invokes the Old Testament principle where a third confirmation often solidified a matter or represented a final warning (Deut 19:15). This established his right to speak authoritatively and to enforce discipline. He isn't boasting; he's grounding his final appeal in a pattern of governance and love that has already been demonstrated. The Corinthians are called to self-examination to ensure their reception of him would be in humility and obedience, rather than forcing him to use his apostolic authority to correct them sternly, as the following verses suggest he is prepared to do.