2 Corinthians 13:1

“This is the third time I am coming to you, etc..] Or “am ready to come to you”, as the Alexandrian copy reads, as in (<471214>2 Corinthians 12:14). Though he had been as yet but once at Corinth, and is to be reckoned and accounted for, either after this manner; he had been “once” with them when he first preached the Gospel to them, and was the means of their conversion, and laid, the foundation of their church state, of which there is some account in (<441801>Acts 18:1,17) he came to them a “second” time, by writing his first epistle, when he desired to be considered by them, as though he was present with them, (<460503>1 Corinthians 5:3) and now a “third” time by this second epistle, in…”

“HE THREATENS A SEVERE PROOF OF HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY, BUT PREFERS THEY WOULD SPARE HIM THE NECESSITY FOR IT. (Co2 13:1-14) This is the third time I am coming to you--not merely preparing to come to you. This proves an intermediate visit between the two recorded in Act 18:1; Act 20:2. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established--Quoted from Deu 19:15, Septuagint. "I will judge not without examination, nor will I abstain from punishing upon due evidence" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. I will no longer be among you "in all patience" towards offenders (Co2 12:12). The apostle in this case, where ordinary testimony was to be had, does not look for an immediate revelation,…”

“This is the third time ... - see the note on 2 Corinthians 12:14. For an interesting view of this passage, see Paley’s Horae Paulinae on this Epistle, No. 11: It is evident that Paul had been to Corinth but once before this, but he had resolved to go before a second time, but had been disappointed. In the mouth of two or three witnesses ... - This was what the Law of Moses required; Deuteronomy 20:16; see the note on John 8:17; compare Matthew 18:16. But in regard to its application here, commentators are not agreed. Some suppose that Paul refers to his own epistles which he had sent to them as the two or three witnesses by which his promise to them would be made certain; that he had…”

“I am coming this third time - He had been coming twice before, though he did not actually come. 2 Corinthians 13:2”

“13:1-2 Announcing his intention to return to Corinth the third time (see study note on 12:14-15), Paul found confirmation of his plan in the Scriptures. The reason for this quotation is not clear, but perhaps, given the context of Deut 19:15, Paul wanted to warn them that every transgression (listed in 2 Cor 12:20-21) would be judged on his arrival. The two or three witnesses against the Corinthian offenders were Paul’s letters or visits and the promise of his coming the third time.”

“the third: Co2 12:14 In: Num 35:30; Deu 17:6, Deu 19:15; Kg1 21:10, Kg1 21:13; Mat 18:16, Mat 26:60, Mat 26:61; Joh 8:17, Joh 8:18; Heb 10:28, Heb 10:29 2 Corinthians 13:2”