2 Corinthians 13:2

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

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:

3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward 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

    Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 10:8–11

    For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 10:1–2

    Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 12:20–21

    For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 5:5

    To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 13:10

    Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 4:19–21

    But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

    Read in context