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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.

2 Corinthians 13:1.This is the third time I am coming to you— Or, as some understand it, am preparing to come: see on2 Corinthians 12:14. For in the Acts of the Apostles no mention is made of his being at Corinth more than once before this second epistle was written. It must be observed, however, that that history by no means contains all the apostle’s transactions: and it is not improbable that, as Macknight supposes, during the eighteen months which passed from St. Paul’s first coming to Corinth, to the insurrection in the proconsulship of Gallio, the apostle left Corinth for a while, and travelled through Laconia, Arcadia, and the other countries of the province of Achaia, where he converted many, (2 Corinthians 1:1,) having preached the gospel to them gratis, as at Corinth, (2 Corinthians 11:10,) and founded several churches, referred to2 Corinthians 9:2, and calledAchaia,that is,churches of Achaia.If therefore the apostle made the excursion here supposed, and spent some months in it, his return to Corinth would be his second visit; consequently, thecomingspoken of in this verse was his coming the third time to them.In the mouth of two or three witnesses— Agreeing in the attestation of any thing;shall every word be established— I will hold that to be true which shall be so proved.

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.This is the third time ... - see the note on2 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 onJohn 8:17; compareMatthew 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; see1 Corinthians 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.

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.2 Corinthians 13:1-4 Paul threateneth to vindicate his authority at his

coming by punishing severely unreclaimed offenders.

2 Corinthians 13:5,6 He adviseth the Corinthians to try if they had as

good proofs of their faith, as he trusted to have of

his mission.

2 Corinthians 13:7-10 He wisheth that by a blameless conversation they

might prevent him from using sharpness toward them,

whatever became of his proofs.

2 Corinthians 13:11-14 He concludeth with an exhortation, salutation, and

prayer.

Chapter Introduction

Not

the third time when he was upon his journey, (for he was not now travelling), but the third time that he had taken up thoughts of, and was preparing for, such a journey: which, it may be, he hinteth to them, that they might be the more afraid to continue in those sinful courses which he had blamed them for.In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established: he alludeth to the law of God,Deu 19:15, concerning witnesses in any case. God ordered, that the testimony of two or three persons should determine all questions in their law; and that should be taken for certain and established, which such a number of persons asserted. The apostle would from hence have them conclude, that he would certainly come, because this wasthe third time that he had resolved upon it, and was preparing for it.

This is the third time I am coming to you,.... Or "am ready to come to you", as the Alexandrian copy reads, as in2 Corinthians 12:14. Though he had been as yet but once at Corinth, and is to be reckoned and accounted for, either after this manner; he had been "once" with them when he first preached the Gospel to them, and was the means of their conversion, and laid, the foundation of their church state, of which there is some account inActs 18:1 he came to them a "second" time, by writing his first epistle, when he desired to be considered by them, as though he was present with them,1 Corinthians 5:3 and now a "third" time by this second epistle, in which he also speaks as if he was among them, see the following verse; or else in this way, he had been actually in person with them one time, and had been about to come in purpose and preparation a "second" time, but was prevented, and now was just ready a "third" time to set forward in his journey to them; see2 Corinthians 12:14 and so the Syriac version reads it here, "this is the third time that I am ready to come to you", and which our version also favours. The Alexandrian copy and some others, the Complutension edition, the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, read, "behold, this third time", &c. in order to raise and fix their attention to what he was saying, or about to say:

in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established; referring toDeuteronomy 19:15 which he applies much in the same manner Christ does inMatthew 18:16 and which it is probable he had in view; signifying hereby, that he proceeded in a judicial way, according to due form of law, and in such a manner as Christ had directed; and that they were to look upon his several comings in the sense now explained, to be as so many witnesses, whereby the several charges exhibited against them were fully attested and confirmed, so that things were now ripe for judgment, and for a final sentence to pass upon them.

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. As Paul has expressed himself byμήπως ἔρις κ.τ.λ. in2 Corinthians 12:20,and in2 Corinthians 12:21 has explained himself more precisely merely as regards thatμήπως ἐλθὼν οὐχ οἵους θέλω εὕρω ὑμᾶς (see on2 Corinthians 12:20), he still owes to his readers a more precise explanation regarding theκἀγὼ εὑρεθῶ ὑμῖν οἷον οὐ θέλετε,and this he now gives to them. Observe the asyndetic, sternly-measured form of his sentences in2 Corinthians 13:1-2.

τρίτον τοῦτο ἔρχομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς] The elaborate shifts of the expositors, who do not understand this of athird actual coming thither, inasmuch as they assume that Paul had been butonce in Corinth,[390] may be seen in Poole’sSynopsis and Wolf’sCurae. According to Lange,apost. Zeitalt. I. p. 202 f. (comp. also Märcker,Stellung der Pastoralbr. p. 14),τρίτον τοῦτο is intended to apply to the thirdproject of a journey, andἔρχομαι to its decidedexecution: “This third time in the series of projects laid before you aboveI come.” Linguistically incorrect, sinceτρίτον τοῦτο ἔρχ. cannot mean anything else than:for the third time I come this time, so that it does not refer to previousprojects, but to twojourneys that had taken place before. Onτρίτον τοῦτο,this third time (accusative absolute), that is, this time for a third time, comp. Herod. v. 76:τέταρτον δὴ τοῦτο …ἀπικόμενοι, LXX.Jdg 16:15 :τοῦτο τρίτον ἐπλάνησάς με,Numbers 22:28;John 21:14. Bengel correctly remarks on the present: “jam sum in procinctu.”

ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων κ.τ.λ.] On this my third arrival there is to be no further sparing (as at my second visit), but summary procedure. Comp.Matthew 18:16, where, however, the words of the law are used with another turn to the meaning. Paul announces with the words of the law well known to his readers,Deuteronomy 19:15, which he adopts as his own, that he, arrived for this third time, will, without further indulgence, institute a legal hearing of witnesses (comp.1 Timothy 5:19), and thaton the basis of the affirmation of two and three witnesses every point of complaint will be decided. Not as if he wished to set himself up as disciplinary judge (this power was vested ordinarily in thechurch,Matthew 18:16,1 Corinthians 5:12-13, and was, even in extraordinary cases of punishment, not exercisedalone on the part of the apostle,1 Corinthians 5:3-5), but he would set agoing and arrange the summary procedure in the way of discipline, which he had threatened. Nor did thenotoriety of the transgressions render the latter unnecessary, seeing that, on the one hand, they might notall be notorious, and, on the other, even those that were so needed a definiteform of treatment. Following Chrysostom and Ambrosiaster, Calvin, Estius, and others, including recently Neander, Olshausen, Raebiger, Ewald, Osiander, Maier, have understood the two or three witnesses ofPaul himself, who takes the various occasions of his presence among the Corinthians as testimonies, by which thetruth of the matters is made good,[391] or theexecution ofhis threats (Chrysostom, Theophylact, and others, comp. Bleek, Billroth, Ewald, Hofmann) is to be decided (Theophylact:ἐπὶ τῶν τριῶν μου παρουσιῶν πᾶν ῥῆμα ἀπειλητικὸν κατασταθήσεται καθʼ ἱμῶν καὶ κυρωθήσεται,ἐὰν μὴ μετανοήσατε·ἀντὶ μαρτύρων γὰρ τὰς παρουσίας αὐτοῦ τίθησι). But if Paul regarded himself, under the point of view of his different visits to Corinth respectively, as the witnesses, he could make himself pass forthree witnesses only in respect of those evils which he had already perceived at hisfirst visit (and then again on hissecond andthird), and fortwo witnesses only in respect of those evils which he had lighted upon in hissecond visit for thefirst time, and would on histhird visit encounter asecond time. But in this view precisely all those evils and sins would be left out of account, which hadonly come into prominenceafter his second visit; for as regards these, because he was only to become acquainted with them for thefirst time at histhird visit, he would only pass asone witness. Consequently this explanation, Pauline though it looks, is inappropriate; nor is the difficulty got over by the admission that the relations in question are not to be dealt with too exactly (Osiander), as, indeed, the objection, that the threat is directed against theπροημαρτηκότες, avails nothing on the correct view of2 Corinthians 12:21, and the continued validity of the legal ordinance itself (it holds, in fact, even at the present day in the common law) should not after1 Timothy 5:10 have been doubted. Nor does the refining of Hofmann dispose of the matter. He thinks, forsooth, that besides theπροημαρτηκότες, all the rest also, whom such a threat may concern, are nowtwice warned,orally (at the second visit of the apostle) andin writing (by this letter), and hisarrival will be to them thethird andlast admonition to reflect. This is not appropriate either to the words (see on2 Corinthians 13:2) or to the necessary unity and equality of the idea ofwitnesses, with which, in fact, Paul—and, moreover, in application of so solemn a passage of the law—would have dealt very oddly, if not onlyhe himself was to represent the three witnesses, but one of them was even to be hisletter.

καί] not in the sense ofἤ, as, following the Vulgate, many earlier and modern expositors (including Flatt and Emmerling) would take it, but:and, if, namely, there are so many.[392] Paul might have putἤ, as inMatthew 18:16, but, following the LXX., he has thought onand, and thereforeput i.

πᾶν ῥῆμα] everything that comes to be spoken of, to be discussed. Comp. onMatthew 4:4.

σταθήσεται]will be established (יַקוּם), namely, for judicial decision. This is more in keeping with the original text than (comp. onMatthew 26:25): will beweighed (Ewald).

[390] Most of them, like Grotius, Estius, Wolf, Wetstein, Zachariae, Flatt, were of opinion that Paul expresses here, too, simply a thirdreadiness to come, from which view also has arisen the readingἑτοίμως ἔχω ἐλθεῖν instead ofἔρχομαι in A, Syr. Erp. Copt. To this also Baur reverts, who explainsἔρχομαι:I am on the point of coming. But this would, in fact, be just a thirdactual coming, which Paul wason the point of, and would presuppose hishaving come already twice. Beza and others suggest: “Binas suas epistolas (!) pro totidem ad illos profectionibus recenset.”

[391] Grotius, in consistency with the view that Paul had been onlyonce there, quite at variance with the words of the passage pares down the meaning to this: “cum bis terve id dixerim, tandem ratum erit.” Compare also Clericus. The explanation of Emmerling: “Titum ejusque comites certissimum edituros esse testimonium de animo suo Corinthios invisendi,” is purely fanciful. The simple and correct view is given already by Erasmus in hisParaphr.: “Hic erit tertius meus ad vos adventus; in hunc se quisque praeparet. Neque enim amplius connivebo, sed juxta jus strictum atque exactum res agetur. Quisquis delatus fuerit, is duorum aut trium hominum testimonio vel absolvetur vel damnabitur.”

[392] It corresponds quite to the German expression “zweibis drei.” Comp. Xen.Anab. iv. 7. 10 :δύο καὶ τρία βήματα. See Krüger and Kühnerin loc. In this caseκαί isatque, notalso (Hofmann).

CHAPTER 13

2 Corinthians 13:2. Afterνῦν Elz. hasγράφω, in opposition to decisive evidence. A supplementary addition. Comp.2 Corinthians 13:10.—2 Corinthians 13:4.εἰ] is wanting in B D* F G Kא* min. Copt. Aeth. It. Eus. Dem. Theoph. Bracketed by Lachm. and Rück. Looking to the total inappropriateness of the sense ofκαὶ εἰ, those authorities of considerable importance sufficiently warrant the condemnation ofεἰ, although Tisch. (comp. Hofm.) holds the omission to be “manifesta correctio.” Offence was easily taken at the idea that Christ was crucifiedἐξ ἀσθενείας, and it was made problematical by the addition of anεἰ, which in several cases also was assigned a position beforeκαί (Or.:εἰ γὰρ καί).

καὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς] Elz. hasκαὶ γὰρ καὶ ἡμεῖς, in opposition to far preponderating evidence. The secondκαί is an addition, which arose out ofκαὶ γάρ being taken as a mere for, namque.

ἐν αὐτῷ] A F Gא, Syr. Erp. Copt. Boern. haveσὺν αὐτῷ. So Lachm. on the margin. An explanation in accordance with what follow.

ζησόμεθα] Lachm. Rück. Tisch. readζήσομεν, in favour of which the evidence is decisiv.

εἰς ὑμᾶς] is wanting only in B D*** E*** Arm. Clar. Germ. Chrys. Sedul., and is condemned by Mill, who derived it from2 Corinthians 13:3. But how natural was the omission, seeing that the first half of the verse contains no parallel element! And the erroneous reference ofζήσομεν to eternal life might makeεἰς ὑμᾶς appear simply as irrelevant.—2 Corinthians 13:7.εὔχομαι] Lachm. Tisch. and Rück., following greatly preponderant evidence, haveεὐχόμεθα, which Griesb. also approved. And rightly; the singular was introduced in accordance with the previousἐλπίζω.—2 Corinthians 13:9.τοῦτο δέ] Thisδέ is omitted in preponderant witnesses, is suspected by Griesb., and deleted by Lachm. Tisch. and Rück. Addition for the sake of connection, instead of which 73 hasδή and Chrys.γάρ.

In2 Corinthians 13:10, the position ofὁ κύριος beforeἐδωκ.μοι is assured by decided attestation.

CONTENTS.

Continuation of the close of the section as begun at2 Corinthians 12:19. At his impending third coming he will decide with judicial severity and not spare, seeing that they wished to have for once a proof of the Christ speaking in him (2 Corinthians 13:1-4). They ought to provethemselves; he hopes, however, that they will recognisehis proved character, and asks God that he may not need to show them its verification (2 Corinthians 13:5-9). Therefore he writes this when absent, in order that he may not be under the necessity of being stern when present (2 Corinthians 13:10). Concluding exhortation with promise (2 Corinthians 13:11); concluding salutation (2 Corinthians 13:12); concluding benediction (2 Corinthians 13:13).

2 Corinthians 13:1-10.

IF HE COMES AGAIN, HE WILL NOT SPARE: CHRIST IS HIS STRENGTH: LET THE CORINTHIANS SEE TO IT THAT HE BE THEIRS ALSO.

Ch.2 Corinthians 13:1.This is the third time I am coming to you] See note on ch.2 Corinthians 12:14. For the Greek present in the sense of anintention see1 Corinthians 16:5.

In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established] This is a quotation fromDeuteronomy 19:15, and is an intimation of St Paul’s intention to enter upon a full investigation of the condition of the Corinthian Church, if such a step be rendered necessary by their conduct. He will assume nothing, take nothing for granted of what he has heard, but will carry on his investigation on the principles alike of the Old Testament and of the New (Matthew 18:16).

2 Corinthians 13:1.Τρίτον) The decisive number,the third time. So the LXX.τρίτον τοῦτο,Numbers 22:28.—ἔρχομαι,I am coming) I am now in readiness to come.—μαρτύρων,of witnesses) Therefore in this matter the apostle thought of depending not on an immediate revelation, but on the testimony of men; and he does not command the culprits to be cast out of the Church before his arrival.

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 fromDeuteronomy 19:15. It has been explained as a reference toexaminations which he intended to hold on his arrival at Corinth. It is much more probable that St. Paul is representing his separate visits as separateattestations to the truths which he preaches. 2 Corinthians 13:1The 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.

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