Fathers

2 Corinthians 13

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This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” 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; seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you. For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you. Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. But I hope that you will know that we aren’t disqualified. Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this: your becoming perfect. For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down. Finally, brothers, rejoice! Be perfected. Be comforted. Be of the same mind. Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 13:2

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For if at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word shall be established, and I have come twice and spoken, and speak now also by this Epistle; it follows, I must after this keep my word. For think not, I pray you, that my writing is of less account than my coming; for as I spoke when present, so now I write also when absent." Seest thou his fraternal solicitude? Seest thou forethought becoming a teacher? …

Homily 29 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

I previously told you, and I say again: as during my second visit, being with you, I said, so now also through this epistle I declare to you — to those who have sinned, as being in need of correction, and to the rest, as witnesses — that when I come again, I will not spare. He did not say: I will punish, but used the fatherly word of sparing; for if I find them, he says, uncorrected, then I will not delay for long.

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Cyprian

That all sins may be forgiven him who has turned to God with his whole heart... Also in the same [second Epistle of the blessed Paul to the Corinthians]: "I told you before, and foretell you as I sit present; and absent now from those who before have sinned, and to all others; as, ill shall come again, I will not spare."

Pseudo-Cyprian Exhortation to Repentance ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

But he threatens a severe sentence, saying: I warned those who sinned before and all the others. Here he first suggests the judicial process to be followed, which requires that three warnings have been given. In regard to this he says: I have warned you before twice, as I warned them when present, namely, when I was among you, so I warn them now, that is, while absent. Thus he warns them three times. I warn, I say, those who sinned before and all the others. As if to say: I warn everyone. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗