2 Corinthians 13:1-2; Them Which Heretofore Have Sinned
2 Corinthians 13:1-2 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 2 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:
The Apostle Paul sought to visit the church in Corinth a third time. And he sought to address the prevailing sins in the church. He therefore was writing with the prayer that these who have sinned will turn from their sin and turn to God. He sought their repentance.
He quoted Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. MacDonald observed well, “When he did, the cases of sin among the believers would be investigated. Such investigations would proceed according to the divine principle laid down Deuteronomy 19:15… On his second visit, otherwise unrecorded, Paul had warned them he would deal severely with the offenders. Now although absent, he foretells them all that when he comes again he will not spare those who have been sinning.”