Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 13:1
This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian congregation while preparing for his third visit, following two prior trips and a previous warning. The words — The Greek τρίτον (triton) literally means "third," marking this specific arrival, while ἐπὶ στόματος (epi stomatos) translates to "by the mouth of," denoting the oral testimony required for validation. The thread — This standard mirrors Deuteronomy 19:15 and Deuteronomy 17:6 regarding legal testimony, and is quoted in Matthew 18:16 for resolving disputes. Why it lands — The text requires that Paul's upcoming warnings and judgments be validated by multiple corroborating accounts rather than a single assertion.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Cross-references
- Matthew 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
- Deuteronomy 19:15 A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- Deuteronomy 17:6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.
- John 8:17 Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.
- Numbers 35:30 If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness.
- 2 Corinthians 12:14 See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
- 1 Kings 21:10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
- Matthew 26:60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
- Hebrews 10:28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- 1 Kings 21:13 And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.