(13:1) "In the mouth of two or three
witnesses shall every word be established." Jehovah's Witnesses use this verse
(along with Dt.19:15, 1 Tim.5:19,
and Mt.18:16)
to justify their refusal to report or investigate incidents of child molestation unless two or three
JWs have witnessed the event. If witnesses do not come forward (and they are
discouraged from doing so since it would embarrass the organization), then the
victim is told to be quiet about it -- or risk being disfellowshipped.
(13:2) "To them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare."
Paul says he "will not spare" when he comes back to punish those who have sinned.
13:1
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three
witnesses shall every word be established.
13:2
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:
13:3
Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not
weak, but is mighty in you.
13:4
For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power
of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power
of God toward you.
13:5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be
reprobates?
(13:5) "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
Are you a reprobate? Here's the test: if you know for sure that Jesus is in you, you're not a
reprobate. Otherwise you are.
13:6
But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
13:7
Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved,
but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
13:8
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
13:9
For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we
wish, even your perfection.
13:10
Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should
use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to
edification, and not to destruction.
