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2 Corinthians 13:2

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Corinthians 13:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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;
2 Corinthians 13:2 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Corinthians 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word established.
2I 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;
3seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you:
4for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you.
5Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.
← 2 Corinthians 13:12 Corinthians 13:3 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I told you before, and foretell you as if I were present a second time, etc..] 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 <471221>2 Corinthians 12:21). And to all other; that…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Rather, "I have already said (at my second visit), and tell you (now) beforehand, AS (I did) WHEN I WAS PRESENT THE SECOND TIME, SO also NOW in my absence (the oldest manuscripts omit the 'I write,' which here wrongly follows in English Version Greek text) to them which heretofore have sinned (namely, before my second visit, Co2 12:21), and to all others (who have sinned since my second visit, or are in danger of sinning)." The English Version, "as if I were present the second time," namely, this next time, is quite inconsistent with Co2 13:1, "this is the third time I am coming to you," as Paul could not have called the same journey at once "the second" and "the third time" of his coming.…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 5:1-13. 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 time. See the remarks of Paley on…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“All the rest - Who have since then sinned in any of these kinds. I will not spare - I will severely punish them. 2 Corinthians 13:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“told: Co2 1:23, Co2 10:1, Co2 10:2, Co2 10:8-11, Co2 12:20; Co1 4:19-21, Co1 5:5 being: Co2 13:10 heretofore: Co2 12:21 2 Corinthians 13:3”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Corinthians 13 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification