Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 13:2

"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 (ASV)

After expressing his personal fears about the forthcoming third visit (12:20– 21), Paul issues two direct warnings relative to this issue: “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (v.1), and “On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others” (v.2).

What are the “two or three witnesses”? Some believe Paul is referring to his three comings to Corinth (two actual, one promised) as three separate witnesses at whose testimony justice would certainly fall on the dissidents at Corinth. Another possible view sees a reference to the threefold warning that Paul would not spare the Corinthians: the first was either 1 Corinthians 4:21 or the warning given on the “painful visit”; the second is the warning given here; and the final one is the proposed third visit. In any case, the general import is clear: “Sufficient warning has been given; punishment is imminent.” “Those who sinned earlier” are the immoral persons of 12:21b who did not repent during Paul’s “painful visit” and were evidently still indulging in their sexual sins. “The others” are probably those Corinthians who had been adversely influenced by the false apostles and were arrogantly fomenting unrest within the church (12:20b). Both groups receive their final warning here. If they remained unrepentant, he would be harsh in his use of authority (cf. v.10; cf. 1 Corinthians 5:5).