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 with , "this is the third time I am coming." Paul could not have called the same journey "the second" and "the third time" of his coming. The antithesis between "the second time" and "now" is palpable.

If I come again - whensoever I come again (). These were probably the words of his former threat, which he now repeats.

I will not spare - in contrast to his forbearance toward transgressors at his second visit.