2 Corinthians 13:2

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”

I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,

3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

4 For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,
KJV
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:
WEB
I have warned previously, and I warn again, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now and to all the rest that if I come again, I will not spare,
ASV
I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
DARBY
I have declared beforehand, and I say beforehand as present the second time, and now absent, to those that have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare.
BLB
I have said before, and I say [it] before as being present the second time and being absent now, to those having sinned before and to all the rest, that if I come to the [same] again, I will not spare [anyone],
ÅB
Når jeg var hos dere for andre gang sa jeg dette til de som har syndet. Nå sier jeg det igjen i mitt fravær, til dem og alle dere andre; at når jeg kommer tilbake vil jeg ikke vise skånsel -
OTB
Jeg sa tidligere da jeg var til stede andre gang, og selv om jeg nå er fraværende, sier jeg på forhånd til dem som har syndet tidligere og til alle de andre også, at hvis jeg kommer igjen, vil jeg ikke spare noen,
B1930
Jeg har sagt det forut og sier forut, likesom ved mitt annet nærvær, så og nu i mitt fravær, til dem som før har syndet, og til alle de andre at når jeg nu atter kommer, vil jeg ikke vise skånsel -

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Corinthians 1:23

    I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 10:8–11

    For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 10:1–2

    Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 12:20–21

    For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 5:5

    hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 13:10

    This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 4:19–21

    But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.

    Read in context