This is the third time I am coming to you.Paul's statement indicates his persistent commitment to the Corinthian church. The mention of a third visit underscores the seriousness of the issues he is addressing. In the context of the early church, travel was arduous, and repeated visits were significant. This reflects Paul's pastoral care and his desire to resolve ongoing problems within the church. Historically, Corinth was a major city in Greece, known for its wealth and immorality, which posed challenges for the early Christians there. Paul's repeated visits highlight his dedication to guiding the church through these challenges.
“Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
This phrase is a direct reference toDeuteronomy 19:15, which establishes a legal principle in Jewish law requiring multiple witnesses to confirm a matter. This principle was intended to ensure fairness and prevent false accusations. In the context of the Corinthian church, Paul applies this standard to address accusations and disputes within the community. It emphasizes the importance of truth and justice in church discipline. This principle is echoed in the teachings of Jesus inMatthew 18:16, where He instructs His followers on resolving conflicts. The use of this Old Testament law in the New Testament context shows the continuity of God's standards for justice and truth.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter, addressing the Corinthian church. He is preparing for his third visit to Corinth.
2.
CorinthA major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral challenges. The church in Corinth faced various issues, including divisions and moral lapses.
3.
Corinthian ChurchThe recipients of Paul's letter, a community of believers struggling with internal conflicts and the need for spiritual discipline.
4.
WitnessesRefers to the principle of establishing truth through multiple testimonies, rooted in Jewish law.
5.
Paul's Previous VisitsPaul's earlier visits to Corinth, which were marked by both teaching and addressing issues within the church.
Teaching Points
The Importance of AccountabilityPaul emphasizes the need for accountability within the church. Just as in legal matters, spiritual issues should be addressed with careful consideration and corroboration.
The Role of Community in TruthThe principle of two or three witnesses highlights the communal aspect of discerning truth. Believers are called to support one another in maintaining integrity and righteousness.
Preparation for CorrectionPaul’s mention of his third visit serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared to address issues within the church. Leaders and members alike should be ready to confront sin with love and truth.
Consistency in LeadershipPaul’s consistent approach to visiting and addressing the Corinthian church demonstrates the importance of steadfast leadership. Leaders should be persistent in guiding their communities towards spiritual maturity.
Biblical Foundations for Church DisciplineThe reference to witnesses provides a biblical foundation for church discipline, ensuring that actions are taken justly and with proper evidence.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 13:1?
2.How does 2 Corinthians 13:1 emphasize the importance of multiple witnesses in judgment?
3.What Old Testament principle is Paul referencing in 2 Corinthians 13:1?
4.How can we apply "every matter must be established" in church discipline today?
5.Why is it crucial to seek confirmation before accepting accusations against others?
6.How does 2 Corinthians 13:1 guide us in resolving conflicts within the church?
7.How does 2 Corinthians 13:1 emphasize the importance of multiple witnesses in establishing truth?
8.Why is the principle of "two or three witnesses" significant in biblical and legal contexts?
9.How does 2 Corinthians 13:1 relate to accountability within the church?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Corinthians 13?
11.2 Corinthians 13:1 – If Paul visited Corinth multiple times, why does historical and archeological evidence seem insufficient to confirm these repeated visits?
12.Why does Josephus’ reference to Jesus appear to be a later Christian interpolation?
13.What evidence supports Jesus Christ's resurrection?
14.How many witnesses are needed, two or three?What Does 2 Corinthians 13:1 Mean
This is the third time I am coming to youPaul reminds the Corinthians that he has already ministered among them twice and is preparing for a third visit (2 Corinthians 12:14;Acts 18:1-18;Acts 20:2-3).
• Repetition underscores seriousness. Like a loving father who warns his children more than once (1 Corinthians 4:14-21), Paul’s repeated return shows both patience and resolve.
• It also highlights accountability. Each visit gives opportunity to repent and realign with the gospel Paul first preached (Galatians 1:8-9).
• The statement carries apostolic authority; Paul’s presence is not casual travel but shepherding oversight (Philippians 1:24-25).
Every matter must be establishedHere Paul quotes a well-known judicial principle from the Law—justice is never based on rumor but on verified evidence (Deuteronomy 19:15).
• He applies that courtroom standard to church life. Issues such as immorality, divisiveness, and false teaching require careful confirmation (1 Corinthians 5:1-13;Titus 3:10-11).
• This guards against hasty judgments while also preventing sin from being ignored (Proverbs 18:13, 17).
• The phrase reminds believers that God values truth in both doctrine and relationships.
By the testimony of two or three witnessesPaul’s citation sets out how the evidence is to be gathered (Matthew 18:16;John 8:17;1 Timothy 5:19).
• In Corinth’s case, those witnesses include
– Paul’s three personal appearances,
– his earlier letters (1 Corinthians; the “severe letter,”2 Corinthians 2:3-4), and
– faithful coworkers like Titus who reported back (2 Corinthians 7:6-16).
• The witness principle ensures that discipline, if required on Paul’s arrival, will be righteous and irrefutable (2 Corinthians 13:2-3).
• Ultimately, God Himself stands behind true testimony; when He judges, no charge is uncertain (Revelation 19:11).
summary2 Corinthians 13:1 reveals Paul’s pastoral method: repeated personal engagement, unwavering commitment to scriptural justice, and reliance on confirmed testimony. He is coming a third time, not to threaten but to ensure that truth prevails and the church matures in holiness—always on the solid foundation God laid for orderly, righteous judgment among His people.
XIII.
(1)This is the third time I am coming to you.--The words may point either to three actual visits--(1) that ofActs 18:1; (2) an unrecorded visit (of which, however, there is no trace), during St. Paul's stay at Ephesus; and (3) that now in contemplation--or (1) to one actual visit, as before; (2) the purposed visit which had been abandoned (see Notes on2Corinthians 1:16); and (3) that which he now has in view. The latter interpretation falls in best with the known facts of the case, and is in entire accordance both with his language in2Corinthians 12:14, and with his mode of expressing his intentions, as in1Corinthians 16:5.
In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.--There seems no adequate reason for not taking these words in their simple and natural meaning. The rule, quoted fromNumbers 35:30,Deuteronomy 17:6;Deuteronomy 19:15, was of the nature of an axiom of Jewish, one might almost say of natural, law. And it had received a fresh prominence from our Lord's reproduction of it in giving directions as for the discipline of the society which He came to found. (See Note onMatthew 18:16.) What more natural than that St. Paul should say, "When I come, there will be no more surmises and vague suspicions, but every offence will be dealt with in a vigorous and full inquiry"? There seems something strained, almost fantastic, in the interpretation which, catching at the accidental juxtaposition of "thethird time" and the "three witnesses," assumes that the Apostle personifies his actual or intended visits, and treats them as the witnesses whose testimony was to be decisive. It is a fatal objection to this view that it turns the judge into a prosecutor, and makes him appeal to his own reiteration of his charges as evidence of their truth. . . .
Verse 1. -
This is the third time I am coming to you. I have thrice formed the intention, though the second time I had to forego my plan (
2 Corinthians 1:15-17).
In the mouth of two or three witnesses. The quotation is from
Deuteronomy 19:15. It has been explained as a reference to
examinations which he intended to hold on his arrival at Corinth. It is much more probable that St. Paul is representing his separate visits as separate
attestations to the truths which he preaches.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
This [is]τοῦτο(touto)Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.[the] third [time]Τρίτον(Triton)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5154:Third. Ordinal from treis; third; neuter a third part, or a third time, thirdly.I am comingἔρχομαι(erchomai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2064:To come, go.toπρὸς(pros)Preposition
Strong's 4314:To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.you.ὑμᾶς(hymas)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.“Everyπᾶν(pan)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.matterῥῆμα(rhēma)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4487:From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever.must be establishedσταθήσεται(stathēsetai)Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2476:A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.byἘπὶ(Epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.[the] testimonyστόματος(stomatos)Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4750:The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword.of twoδύο(dyo)Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1417:Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.orκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.threeτριῶν(triōn)Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5140:Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; 'three'.witnesses.”μαρτύρων(martyrōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3144:A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a 'martyr'.
Links
2 Corinthians 13:1 NIV2 Corinthians 13:1 NLT2 Corinthians 13:1 ESV2 Corinthians 13:1 NASB2 Corinthians 13:1 KJV
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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) 
