2 Corinthians 13:2

I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: Rather, 'I have already said (at my second visit), and declare (now) beforehand, AS (I did) WHEN I WAS PRESENT THE SECOND TIME, so also (I declare) NOW in my absence ('Aleph (') A B Delta G f g, Vulgate, omit the "I write," wrongly in the English version, Greek text) to them which heretofore have sinned (namely, before my second visit, ), and to all others,' (who have sinned since my second visit, or are in danger of sinning, etc.) 'I have said already' applies chiefly to 'them which have sinned heretofore;' 'I declare' (now) to 'all others' who have sinned since, etc. The English version, "as if I were present, the second time" - namely, this time-is inconsistent...

2._I told you before, and foretell you. _The friendly and agreeable admonitions, that he had addressed to them so frequently, had been of no advantage. He, accordingly, betakes himself to a more severe remedy, with which he had previously threatened them in words when present with them. When we see him act with so much strictness, we need have no doubt, that they were surprisingly ungovernable and obstinate; for it appears from his writings, what mildness, and what unwearied patience he was otherwise prepared to manifest. As, however, it is the part of a good parent to forgive and bear with many things, so it is the part of a foolish parent, and one that has no proper regard for the welfare of his children, to neglect to use severity, when there is occasion for it, and to mingle strictness with mildness. We are well aware, that nothing is more hurtful than excessive indulgence (945) Let...

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 C...

Verse 2 Corinthians 13:2. _I TOLD YOU BEFORE_, c.] As _Calmet_ maintains that Paul had already been _twice_ at Corinth, it is well to hear his reasons: "St. Paul came to Corinth the latter end of the year of our Lord 52, and remained there eighteen months, Acts 18:1, c. He came there a _second_ time in the year 55, but stayed only a short time, as he had to return speedily to Ephesus, 1 Corinthians 16:7 hence it is that St. Luke makes no mention of this _second_ journey in the Acts. Finally he determined to visit them a _third_ time; as in effect he did about the year 57. Of his _second_ voyage to Corinth, which is not mentioned in the Acts, he speaks expressly in this...

I TOLD YOU BEFORE - That I would not spare offenders; that I would certainly punish them. He had intimated this before in the First Epistle 1Co 4:21; 1 Corinthians 5:1. AND FORETELL YOU - Now apprise you of my fixed determination to punish every offender as he deserves. AS IF I WERE PRESENT, THE SECOND TIME - The mention of the second time here proves that Paul had been with them but once before. He had formed the resolution to go to them, but had been disappointed. The time when he had been with them is recorded in Acts 18:1 ff. He now uses the same language to them which he says he would use if he were with them, as he had expected to be, the second

CONCLUDING APPEALS AND EXHORTATIONS, EXPOSITION 2 CORINTHIANS 13:1 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). 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 preache

I TOLD YOU BEFORE, AND FORETELL YOU AS IF I WERE PRESENT A SECOND TIME,.... He means, that he had in his former epistle faithfully told them of their evils, and admonished them for them; and now he sends to them a second time before his coming, and again admonishes them, as if he was upon the spot with them; so that they had, as before, three witnesses, also a first and second admonition; which, should they be without success, he must proceed further: AND BEING ABSENT NOW, I WRITE TO THEM WHICH HERETOFORE HAVE SINNED; before he wrote his first epistle, of which he had information, and had faithfully reproved and admonished them; see 2 Corinthians 12:21. AND TO ALL OTHER; that might since be drawn into a compliance with sinful practices, through their example; or as the Arabic version renders it, "to the rest of the congregation"; who woul

2 CORINTHIANS 13:2 nu/n The Textus Receptus, following Dc E K L P Y most minuscules syrp, h copsa goth arm, adds gra,fw. Since there is no reason why, if present originally, the word should have been omitted, the shorter text, strongly supported by î46 a A B D* F G 33 424c 1906* itd, g vg ethro, is to be preferred....

4. STILL ABSENT - YET COMING. THE CONCLUSION. CHAPTER 13 _ 1. Being Absent; Expecting to Come. (2 Corinthians 13:1 .)_ 2. The Conclusion. (2 Corinthians 13:11 .) He speaks in conclusion of his coming to them. “This third time I am coming to you.” And when he comes again he will not spare them. He reminds them once more of their doubtings about Christ speaking in him and using him as an apostle. They themselves were proof of this. If it were that Christ had not spoken to them through him (by preaching the Gospel), then Christ also did not dwell in them. But if Christ really was in them then it was an evidence that Christ had spoken by him. Notice that part of the third verse and the fourth verse are parenthetical. Leaving out the parenthetical words

WARNINGS IN VIEW OF A VISIT. This closing chapter starts from a vivid realisation of that which is only too likely to be the situation when he arrives for the third time. With increased emphasis, and added detail, he reiterates his solemn warning, and with biting irony turns against his adversaries one of the sarcastic demands they level at him. They ask for proof that Christ speaks in him. They shall have it (_cf._ Isaiah 28:9 ff.). Christ will show Himself not weak among them, as they have reckoned His apostle, but powerful for judgment. His experience, dying to reign, will repeat itself in Paul, who has already put this interpretation on his own weakness, that in it he fills up that which is lacking of the sufferings of Christ. Let them examine themselves whether they are truly Christians; let them get back the primal Christian experience, and ascertain whether Christ is really in the...