been. Paul here announces his determination to adhere, in the administration of discipline, strictly to the rule relating to testimony laid down in the ScrijDtures. There are two expla- nations, however, given of this passage. Some suppose that Paul merely alludes to the prescription in the Law, and says that his three visits answers the spirit of the divine injunction by being equivalent to the testimony of three witnesses. Tres mei adventus trium testimoniorum loco erunt, says Calvin. This interpretation is adopted by a great many commentators, ancient and modern. But the formality w^ith which the prin- ciple is announced, the importance of the principle itself, and his own recognition of it elsewhere, show that he intended to adhere to it in Cormth. Three visits are not the testimony of three witnesses. Every icord^ ttSv p^/>ta, every accusation^ a sense which, agreeably to the usage of the corresponding Hebrew word, the Greek word pij/xa has here in virtue of the context, as m Matt. 5, 11. 18,16. 27,14. Shall he estab- lished^ i. e. legally and conclusively j^roved.
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 mil not spare.
The meaning of this verse is doubtful. The words second time (to Sevrepov,) may be connected with bei?!// present (ws Trapw]/,) or with I foretell (TrpoXeyo)). If the former, the sense may be, "I foretold (i. e. when in Corinth), and I foretell, as though present the second time, although yet absent, to those who heretofore have sinned, &c." If the latter connection be preferred, the sense is, " I foretold you, and foretell you the second time, as if present, although now absent, etc." This is not consistent with the natural order of the words. Assum- ing Paul to have been already twice in Corinth, the simplest explanation of this verse is that given by Calvin, Meyer, Riickert, and others, "I have said before, and say before, as Avhen present the second time, so now when absent, to those who have sinned, I will not spare." Paul gives now when absent the same warning that he gave during his second visit. The words irpodirov and -rrpoXiyia are combined here as in Gal. 5,21 and 1 Thess. 3,4. "I said before, and I forewarn." TliosG loho heretofore have sinned ; Trpo-qiJiapTrjKoal, to those