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Thursday, October 3rd, 2024
the Week of Proper 21 / Ordinary 26
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Read the Bible

New King James Version

2 Corinthians 13:2

I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write [fn] to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare--

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Church;   Minister, Christian;   Thompson Chain Reference - Church;   Discipline;   Government;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Apostle;   Corinthians, letters to the;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Discipline;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Corinth;   Paul;   Timothy, the First Epistle to;   Holman Bible Dictionary - 2 Corinthians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Repentance;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Corinth;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Corinthians, Second Epistle to the;   Foretell;   Paul, the Apostle;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for April 4;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone,
Legacy Standard Bible
I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone,
Simplified Cowboy Version
When I was there before, I warned those who were still sinning. I may not be there yet, but let me offer another warning to stop before I arrive. If it is still happening when I get there, they will be dealt with accordingly.
Bible in Basic English
I said before, and still say it before I come, as being present for the second time, though I am still away from you, to those who have done wrong before, and to all the others, that if I come again I will not have pity;
Darby Translation
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.
Christian Standard Bible®
I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient,
World English Bible
I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, 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;
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
I told you before, and do tell before-hand (though now absent, as if I were present the second time) those who had sinned before, and all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
Weymouth's New Testament
Those who cling to their old sins, and indeed all of you, I have forewarned and still forewarn (as I did on my second visit when present, so I do now, though absent) that, when I come again, I shall not spare you;
King James Version (1611)
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 haue sinned, and to all other, that if I come againe I will not spare:
Literal Translation
I said before, and I say beforehand, as being present the second time and being absent now, I write to those having sinned before, and all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I haue tolde you before, & tell you before as present ye seconde tyme, & wryte it now beynge absent, vnto the which in tyme passed haue synned, & to all other: & yf I come agayne, I wil not spare,
Mace New Testament (1729)
I told you once before, and now being absent I write to forewarn you and all that have sinned, that when I shall arrive, I will not spare them;
Amplified Bible
I have already warned those who have sinned in the past and all the rest as well, and I warn them now even though I am absent [from you] as I did when I was with you the second time, that if I come back I will not spare anyone,
American Standard Version
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;
Revised Standard Version
I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them--
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
I tolde you before and tell you before: and as I sayde whe I was present with you the seconde tyme so wryte I now beynge absent to them which in tyme past have synned and to all other: yt if I come agayne I will not spare
Update Bible Version
I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to those that have sinned before, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
Webster's Bible Translation
I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them who heretofore have sinned, and to all others, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
Young's Literal Translation
I have said before, and I say [it] before, as being present, the second time, and being absent, now, do I write to those having sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare,
New Century Version
When I was with you the second time, I gave a warning to those who had sinned. Now I am away from you, and I give a warning to all the others. When I come to you again, I will not be easy with them.
New English Translation
I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,
Berean Standard Bible
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,
Contemporary English Version
During my second visit I warned you that I would punish you and anyone else who doesn't stop sinning. I am far away from you now, but I give you the same warning.
Complete Jewish Bible
To those who sinned in the past and to the rest I say beforehand while absent the same thing I said when I was with you the second time: if I come again I will not spare you —
English Standard Version
I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them—
Geneva Bible (1587)
I tolde you before, and tell you before: as though I had bene present the seconde time, so write I nowe being absent to them which heretofore haue sinned and to all others, that if I come againe, I will not spare,
George Lamsa Translation
I have told you before, and again I tell you in advance, just as I have told you on my two previous visits; and now even while I am far away I write to those who have sinned, and to all others, that if I come again, I will not spare any one:
Hebrew Names Version
I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, 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;
International Standard Version
I have already warned those who sinned previously and all the rest. Although I am absent now, I am warning them as I did on my second visit: If I come back, I will not spare you,2 Corinthians 1:23; 10:2; 12:21;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
I have foretold you, and again I foretell you; as also twice while I was with you I told you, (so) now also being distant I write to those who have sinned, and to the rest of the others; that if I come again I will not spare.
Murdock Translation
I have before said to you, and again I say to you beforehand, (as also I said to you a second time, while I was with you; and now also, while absent, I write to those who have sinned and to the others,) that if I come again, I will not spare:
New Living Translation
I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.
New Life Bible
During my second visit I talked to you who have been sinning and to all the others. While I am away, I tell you this again. The next time I come I will be hard on those who sin.
English Revised Version
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;
New Revised Standard
I warned those who sinned previously and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again, I will not be lenient—
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I have said beforehand, and do say beforehand, - as present the second time, although now absent, unto them who before sinned, and unto all the rest, - that, if I come again, I will not spare.
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have told before and foretell, as present and now absent, to them that sinned before and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare.
King James Version
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:
Lexham English Bible
I have already said when I was present the second time, and although I am absent now I also say in advance to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare anyone,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
I tolde you before, and tell you before, as though I had ben present with you the seconde tyme, so write I nowe beyng absent, to them which in time past haue sinned, and to all other, that yf I come agayne, I wyll not spare,
Easy-to-Read Version
When I was with you the second time, I gave a warning to those who had sinned. I am not there now, but I am giving another warning to them and to anyone else who has sinned: When I come to you again, I will punish you.
New American Standard Bible
I have previously said when I was present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone,
Good News Translation
I want to tell those of you who have sinned in the past, and all the others; I said it before during my second visit to you, but I will say it again now that I am away: the next time I come nobody will escape punishment.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Y seide bifor, and seie bifor, as present twies, and now absent, to hem that bifor han synned, and to alle othere; for if Y come eftsoone, Y schal not spare.

Contextual Overview

1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established." Deuteronomy 19:15">[fn] 2 I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write [fn] to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare-- 3 since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives 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. 5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

told: 2 Corinthians 1:23, 2 Corinthians 10:1, 2 Corinthians 10:2, 2 Corinthians 10:8-11, 2 Corinthians 12:20, 1 Corinthians 4:19-21, 1 Corinthians 5:5

being: 2 Corinthians 13:10

heretofore: 2 Corinthians 12:21

Reciprocal: Joshua 3:10 - Hereby ye Proverbs 26:3 - General Jeremiah 1:13 - the second time Acts 5:5 - hearing 1 Corinthians 4:21 - shall 1 Corinthians 5:3 - as absent 2 Corinthians 2:3 - lest 2 Corinthians 10:6 - in 2 Corinthians 10:11 - such Galatians 1:9 - so Philippians 4:4 - again Titus 3:10 - after 2 Peter 3:1 - second epistle 3 John 1:10 - I will

Cross-References

Genesis 13:1
Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. [fn]
Genesis 13:3
And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
Genesis 13:9
Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left."
Genesis 13:10
And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.
Genesis 13:12
Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom.
Genesis 13:13
But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.
Genesis 24:35
The LORD has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
Deuteronomy 8:18
"And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
1 Samuel 2:7
The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.
Job 1:3
Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I told you before, and foretell you as if I were present a second time,.... 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 2 Corinthians 12:21.

And to all other; that might since be drawn into a compliance with sinful practices, through their example; or as the Arabic version renders it, "to the rest of the congregation"; who would be witnesses for him, and against them, that he had admonished them a first, and a second time: and by his present writing declares,

that if I come again; for, not knowing what might fall out to prevent him, though he was bent upon coming, and ready for it, nor what was the will of God about it, he does not choose to be positive in the matter; and therefore writes conditionally, and with a guard, and no doubt with a submission to the divine will:

I will not spare; this was the reason why as yet he had not been at Corinth, because he was willing to spare them; see 2 Corinthians 1:23 being loath to come to severities, if gentler methods would take effect; but now having used all proper means, he is at a point, aud determined not to spare, but to use his apostolical rod, or that power which the Lord had given him in an extraordinary way, as an extraordinary officer, to punish incorrigible offenders, in such manner as the incestuous person, and Hymenaeus and Philetus had been used by him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 this passage, referred to above.

And being absent - see the note on 1 Corinthians 5:3.

To them which have heretofore sinned - To all the offenders in the church. They had supposed that he would not come to them 1 Corinthians 4:18, or that if he came he would not dare to inflict punishment, 2 Cor. 9-11. They had, therefore, given themselves greater liberty, and had pursued their own course, regardless of his authority and commands.

I will not spare - I will punish them. They shall not escape.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 13:2. I told you before, c.] As Calmet maintains that Paul had already been twice at Corinth, it is well to hear his reasons: "St. Paul came to Corinth the latter end of the year of our Lord 52, and remained there eighteen months, Acts 18:1, c. He came there a second time in the year 55, but stayed only a short time, as he had to return speedily to Ephesus, 1 Corinthians 16:7 hence it is that St. Luke makes no mention of this second journey in the Acts. Finally he determined to visit them a third time; as in effect he did about the year 57. Of his second voyage to Corinth, which is not mentioned in the Acts, he speaks expressly in this verse."

I do not see sufficient evidence to induce me to subscribe to this opinion of Calmet. I believe the apostle had been but once before at Corinth; and this matter is set in a clear point of view by Dr. Paley. See the Introduction, sec. xi.

I will not spare — I will inflict the proper punishment on every incorrigible offender. It does appear, from all the apostle's threatenings, that he was possessed of a miraculous power, by which he could inflict punishment on offenders; that he could deliver the body to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, 1 Corinthians 4:21; 1 Corinthians 5:5. What he says he told them before probably relates to 1 Corinthians 4:21: Shall I come with a rod, &c.


 
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