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2 Corinthians 13:1
“This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”
The existence of 1 and 2 Corinthians demonstrates that Paul dealt with many issues in the Corinthian church from afar, being away from the church and unable to exercise discipline in person. That truth, coupled with what the Corinthians wrongly thought to be Paul’s inconsistent visitation schedule, would have led many of them to think that they would never see the Apostle again after his painful visit to Corinth (see 2 Cor. 1:12–2:1). Lest they continue in that false assumption, Paul notes again in today’s passage that he will come to see them again (13:1).
Paul then says that “every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses” (v. 1). We must understand this statement in light of the immediate context where he has said that he is afraid that he will find some ongoing sin in the congregation. The Apostle, of course, has praised the Corinthians because they have shown some willingness to repent regarding how they did not stand with him during his confrontation with an opponent during his last visit to Corinth (see 2:1–11; 7:5–13). However, he has heard that other problems may still exist, and he is aware that some in the church might believe the false apostles (chs. 10–12). But he will not rush to judgment too quickly, and he will not take disciplinary action unless there is sufficient evidence to back up the charge.
The principle of establishing charges by multiple witnesses comes from Deuteronomy 19:15, demonstrating that the Mosaic law has an ongoing validity in the new covenant even if its application has changed. As under the old covenant, the church today cannot entertain accusations lightly but must establish the credibility of every charge. This is one reason that every church should have well-thought-out standards of church discipline. Without them, guilty parties may be missed and innocent parties convicted. Furthermore, Paul’s point should not be read woodenly. He does not mean we must find several eyewitnesses of the sin in question. Civil authorities should also be contacted when criminal allegations are made.
We can make a broader application of the biblical teaching on witnesses as well. How often are we quick to believe gossip or entertain accusations against people that have little credible basis or that have not been established by many witnesses? As Christians, we should not do this but rather should look for evidence when people are being charged with wrongdoing.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
How much less rancor would we experience in our churches if instead of believing every accusation we looked for it to be established before we believed it? We should not quickly believe charges but should be careful to establish their veracity. The church has its courts for investigating such matters, and we are not to adjudicate them on our own.
For Further Study
- Matthew 18:15–20
- 1 Timothy 5:19