This [is] the third [time] I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (KJV)
Paul is speaking to the Corinthian saints and declares that each of his visits to them constitutes a separate witness of his message. The word ‘established’ means ‘strengthened.’
1) To cause or make to stand, to place, put, set (like sitting in a chair)
2) To make firm, fix establish (like sitting firmly in a chair; or standing firmly)
3) To establish a thing, cause it to stand
4) To set or place in a balance
This is the third time I am coming to visit you. As the Scriptures say, "The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. [NLT]
Quoting Deuteronomy 19:15
From WEBSTER’S we find this definition of witness:
1wit-ness ’wit-nes n [ME witnesse, fr. OE witnes knowledge, testimony, witness, fr. wit intelligence] (bef. 12c) 1: attestation of a fact or event: testimony 2: one that gives evidence; specif: one who testifies in a cause or before a judicial tribunal 3: one asked to be present at a transaction so as to be able to testify to its having taken place 4: one who has personal knowledge of something 5 a: something serving as evidence or proof: sign b: public affirmation by word or example of usu. religious faith or conviction. 2WITNESS vt (14c) 1: to testify to: attest 2: to act as legal witness of 3: to furnish proof of: betoken 4 a: to have personal or direct cognizance of: see for oneself
In the Mosaic Law, it was required that two witnesses establish legal evidence. (Deut. 17:6, Deut. 19:15)
Jesus even confirmed this law in Matthew 18:15-16 – confirming how to handle a brother or sister who have sinned against you.
So, when you witness a word and agree with a 2nd or 3rd party on that word, you are legally establishing that word as truth!
Establishing a Word requires no less than two witnesses. Paul quotes the Law of Moses indicating the need to have two or even three witnesses to establish a word.
From a Legal Standpoint:
I Timothy 5:19 says: “Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.” (NLT)
Hebrews 10:28-29 says: “For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit Who brings God’s mercy to us!” (NLT)
John 8:12-18
The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus into implying that He could not be Who He said He was since He had no witnesses. And, according to the Law of Moses, there had to be two or three who bear witness of that Word – that He was Who He said He was.
The Pharisees were trying to find a loophole in the fact that the Word – the Living Word – was established by three witnesses! I John 5:7-12
Jesus – the Word –was established out of the mouth of two or three witnesses! The Father, the Son Himself and the Holy Spirit!
The Jewish rulers tried this with Jesus just a few chapters earlier. Look at Jesus’ words to them in John 5:31-32
Jesus – knowing the Law – stated that He could not –in the eyes of man – bear witness of Himself alone – for His own witness is not a valid witness – since the law requires the word of no less than two witnesses. That’s why He said in verse 32: “There is another Who bears witness of Me…”
Continue reading John 5:33-38
They could not receive the witness of the Father –because the Father’s Word was not in them. (Verse 38) So, even if God’s Word confirmed that Jesus was the Messiah, they still wouldn’t receive the Word – because they didn’t know His voice.
So we’ve got our legal minimum of two witnesses: the Father and the Son. But why stop at two; why not the full complement of "three witnesses" Moses commanded?
Skip over to John 15:26-27“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” [NKJV]
In God’s court of His Law (His Word) – the Father, Son & the Holy Ghost have legal right to corroborate the Word (Jesus)!
If they testify a legal fact – and then one of them goes back on their testimony – they have then perjured themselves in a court of law.
And these three witnesses rise above any suspicion of perjury, their testimony must provide the genuine corroboration Moses demanded: God in Three Witnesses, Blessed Trinity!
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. Deuteronomy 17:6
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. Deuteronomy 19:15
The first reference above is specified for use in the case of a death penalty, and previously in verse three of Deuteronomy 17 the Lord states that he is discussing the case of a man or a woman who has transgressed his covenant, for which the penalty was death. It is in this same regard which the reference is cited by Paul in Hebrews.
He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: [Heb 10:38]
HOWEVER, when the Father, the Son Himself and His Spirit speak the Word of Jesus Christ – it is to establish the Word of Life – not death!
This law does not give us license to be waiting for confirmation from others every time God tells us to do something. The only confirmation we need is the testimony and witness of God’s Word in our lives. If God speaks something over us – His Word is our confirmation – and Who is His Word made flesh? His Son! And His Spirit bears witness with our Spirit.
But, I ask you – based upon this law – how is the Word of God established in our lives then? To answer that – we have to go back to our original Scripture text:
II Corinthians 13:1 In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
If you want the Word of God established in your life – you need to hear it from the mouth of two witnesses. Well – God has already spoken His Word over your life. So, that’s One witness right there! And Jesus always comes to confirm the Word of God- since He is the Word made flesh – And…the Holy Spirit only comes to speak of the Word Himself – So, if we have God speaking the Word over our life – we need another witness to speak that Word.
What does the scripture say about walking in faith?
Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God…”
Faith in the Word of God – establishing faith and establishing the Word of God in your life – comes by hearing the Word. You need to hear God speak it – to witness it – and you need to hear yourself speak the Word in faith. When you speak what God speaks, your spirit is bearing witness with His Spirit – and your faith and His Word is established in your life! Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses a word is established………
[Mark 7:13] Jesus told the Pharisees that their traditions made the Word of God to have no effect in their lives.
Notice the text says “In the mouth…” A word is established the moment it leaves your mouth – and when you have someone come into agreement with that Word – it is solidified.
Matthew 18:18-19 (just after 18:16 where Jesus quoted Deut. 19:15) "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
The word “agree” here in the Greek is symphôneô. Can you guess which English word derives from this word? Symphony. It means ‘to sound together,’ or ‘to be in one accord;’ ‘to harmonize;’
You need to hear yourself speak His Word. Faith comes by hearing……and that applies whether the word is a positive word or not. Faith will still come by hearing a carnal word. If you hear it –your faith connects with it. Faith can be found in two places – your heart and your mouth. That is what establishes a word – your confession and the witness of another.
That’s why –in Matthew 4 - Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 –and said: "It is written, ’Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ [Matthew 4:4, NKVJ]
And, Jesus said: "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." [Matthew 12:36-37, NKJV]
So, when you witness a word and agree with a 2nd or 3rd party on that word, you are legally establishing that word as truth!
So, the Father, Son & Holy Spirit have agreed as witnesses and have established God’s Word in the heavens and on the earth – and under the earth for that matter. But, for a word to be established in your heart, and in your life, and in your family – you need to agree with God on His Word over your life! Part of establishing that Word is believing it, trusting in it and speaking it over your life in faith.
Remember, Jesus said, if two of us agree – it is established! God will always agree on His Word. Jesus will always agree with you on the Father’s Word. And, the Holy Spirit only comes to speak the Father’s Word, so we know He agrees. You just need to agree with them and establish that Word in your life!
