2Cor 12:14, 13:1 | JFB | e4.org | 14. the third time —See to the first Epistle. His second visit was probably a short one ( ), and attended with humiliation through the scandalous conduct of some of his converts (compare ). It was probably paid during his three years' sojourn at Ephesus, from which he could pass so readily by sea to Corinth (compare ). The context here implies nothing of a third preparation to come; but, "I am coming, and the third time, and will not burden you this time any more than I did at my two previous visits " [ALFORD ]. not yours, but you — ( ). children . . . parents —Paul was their spiritual father ( ). He does not, therefore, seek earthly treasure from them, but lays up the best treasure (namely, spiritual) "for their souls" ( ).

‏ 2 Corinthians 12:14

14. the third time—See Introduction to the first Epistle. His second visit was probably a short one (1Co 16:7), and attended with humiliation through the scandalous conduct of some of his converts (compare 2Co 12:21; 2Co 2:1). It was probably paid during his three years' sojourn at Ephesus, from which he could pass so readily by sea to Corinth (compare 2Co 1:15, 16; 13:1, 2). The context here implies nothing of a third preparation to come; but, "I am coming, and the third time, and will not burden you this time any more than I did at my two previous visits" [ALFORD].

not yours, but you— (Php 4:17).

children . . . parents—Paul was their spiritual father (1Co 4:14, 15). He does not, therefore, seek earthly treasure from them, but lays up the best treasure (namely, spiritual) "for their souls" (2Co 12:15).

‏ 2 Corinthians 13:1

1. This is the third time I am coming to you—not merely preparing to come to you. This proves an intermediate visit between the two recorded in Ac 18:1; 20:2.

In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established—Quoted from De 19:15, Septuagint. "I will judge not without examination, nor will I abstain from punishing upon due evidence" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. I will no longer be among you "in all patience" towards offenders (2Co 12:12). The apostle in this case, where ordinary testimony was to be had, does not look for an immediate revelation, nor does he order the culprits to be cast out of the church before his arrival. Others understand the "two or three witnesses" to mean his two or three visits as establishing either (1) the truth of the facts alleged against the offenders, or (2) the reality of his threats. I prefer the first explanation to either of the two latter.