2 Corinthians 13:1-2
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them—
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul isn't just reminding them of a legalistic rule; he's building a case that his authority and message are legitimate, grounded in the very principles of justice God established. This "third visit" isn't a threat, but his final, solid proof, echoing the Old Testament requirement for truth to be verified by multiple credible voices.
Paul is writing to the Corinthian church, and this letter, his third to them, is about confronting ongoing issues and establishing his authority. He's just spent chapters detailing their problems and warning them about the need for repentance, and now he's preparing to visit them again, asserting that he will not spare them if they continue in sin. This verse sets up his final warning, reminding them of a principle of justice that will guide his actions during his upcoming visit.
Paul is about to deliver some serious correction to the Corinthian church. But before he does, he brings up a legal principle: 'Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.' Why is this so important?
This isn't just a random legalistic rule; it's a principle deeply embedded in how God establishes truth and justice.
Establishing Truth
In ancient Israelite law, a single witness was insufficient to convict someone. The Law of Moses explicitly stated that a matter needed the testimony of two or three witnesses to be considered true and actionable (Deuteronomy 19:15). This protected against false accusations and ensured that decisions were based on solid, corroborated evidence.
Divine Justice
Paul, as a Roman citizen and someone deeply versed in the Old Testament, understood this principle. He's signaling to the Corinthians that his upcoming pronouncements aren't just his personal opinions or hasty judgments. They are based on confirmed realities, and he's following a divinely ordained pattern for establishing truth, especially when dealing with serious issues within the church.
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Paul mentions this is his 'third time' coming to them. This isn't just a travel log entry. It carries weight, especially when linked to the witness principle. What's the connection?
Paul's declaration of his third visit serves as a deliberate and solemn warning. In the ancient world, a third visit often signified the final stage before more drastic action.
A Final Warning
Think of it like this: the first visit was for initial teaching and addressing issues. The second visit likely involved confrontation and attempts at correction. Now, on the third visit, Paul is prepared to act decisively based on the evidence he has gathered. His mention of witnesses underscores that he's not coming with a light heart or arbitrary authority, but with established facts.
Accountability and Authority
This approach highlights Paul's pastoral heart. He desires reconciliation and restoration, but he also carries apostolic authority entrusted to him by Christ. He’s following a process that ensures fairness while upholding the holiness and order of the church. The principle of witnesses lends weight and legitimacy to his impending actions.
Understand the original words
stoma · Greek Noun
A formal confirmation or verification of a matter, typically involving testimony that establishes the truth of a claim or accusation. In a legal and covenantal sense, it refers to the objective basis upon which judgment is rendered.
martys · Greek Noun
An individual who testifies to what they have seen, heard, or known. In biblical law, multiple witnesses are required to establish a charge, serving as a safeguard against false accusation and ensuring divine justice.
hamartanō · Greek Verb
To miss the mark of God's holy standard; a transgression against God's law. It encompasses both the internal state of rebellion and the external actions that violate God's will.
Paul's reference to a third visit and the need for witnesses highlights the deep relational issues and the need for apostolic authority to be firmly established in a church experiencing division and challenge.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's First Visit to Corinth
Paul establishes the church in Corinth during his approximately 18-month ministry in the city. This initial founding is crucial for understanding his later relationship with the community.
c. AD 53-55
Paul's "Painful Visit"
Paul makes a second, brief, and difficult visit to Corinth, often referred to as the "painful visit." This visit likely involved conflict and sorrow, contributing to the tense atmosphere addressed in the letter.
c. AD 55-56
Writing the "Severe Letter"
Following the painful visit, Paul writes a harsh letter to the Corinthians, likely intended to correct severe problems within the church. This letter, now lost, caused significant distress and further strained relationships.
c. AD 56— this verse
Third Visit to Corinth and Writing 2 Corinthians
Paul plans and potentially makes a third visit to Corinth. He writes 2 Corinthians, likely from Macedonia, to mend fences, explain his authority, and address lingering issues after the severe letter and painful visit.
This Old Testament passage lays out the principle Paul is referencing, establishing the rule that accusations require two or three witnesses to be valid, ensuring fairness and truth.
Matthew 18:16Jesus himself echoes this principle in His instructions for dealing with sin within the community, showing its importance for maintaining healthy relationships and discerning truth.
Numbers 35:30This passage from the Law reinforces the judicial principle that a single witness is not enough to convict someone of a capital crime, highlighting the gravity of accurate testimony.
Hebrews 10:28This New Testament passage uses a similar legalistic framework to condemn those who rejected the Mosaic Law, underscoring the seriousness of disregarding established truth and witness.
Paul isn't just reminding them of a legalistic rule; he's building a case that his authority and message are legitimate, grounded in the very principles of justice God established. This "third visit" isn't a threat, but his final, solid proof, echoing the Old Testament requirement for truth to be verified by multiple credible voices.
Paul is writing to the Corinthian church, and this letter, his third to them, is about confronting ongoing issues and establishing his authority. He's just spent chapters detailing their problems and warning them about the need for repentance, and now he's preparing to visit them again, asserting that he will not spare them if they continue in sin. This verse sets up his final warning, reminding them of a principle of justice that will guide his actions during his upcoming visit.
Paul is writing to the Corinthian church, and this letter, his third to them, is about confronting ongoing issues and establishing his authority. He's just spent chapters detailing their problems and warning them about the need for repentance, and now he's preparing to visit them again, asserting that he will not spare them if they continue in sin. This verse sets up his final warning, reminding them of a principle of justice that will guide his actions during his upcoming visit.
"This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my secon…" — Paul isn't just reminding them of a legalistic rule; he's building a case that his authority and message are legitimate, grounded in the very principles of justice God established. This "third visit"…
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