Donald Trump faced laughter as he quoted the Bible in a speech at America's most prominent evangelical Christian college.
Mr Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, was referring to the official verse of Liberty University.
He said: "I hear this is a major theme right here, Two Corinthians, 3:17 that's the whole ball game..."
There were chuckles in the crowd of 11,000 students and some pointed out that the New Testament book is generally referred to by American Christians as "Second Corinthians".
Guys give @realDonaldTrump a break with his "Two Corinthians" gaff at Liberty. It's his first time reading the book.
— James Wightman (@James_Wightman)
January 18, 2016
Corinthians 2 Trump 0 RT @KatyTurNBC After "Two Corinthians" student tells me "it's a little much to say [Donald Trump] is a Christian."
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann)
January 18, 2016
Free headline idea: "Two Corinthians, One Trump"
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs)
January 18, 2016
Mr Trump persevered and said: "You know, when you think, and that's really, is that the one? Is that the one you like? I think that's the one you like, because I loved it."
He did correctly identify the verse, saying: "Now the Lord is the Spirit."
Two Corinthians walk into a bar... https://t.co/ogkBlSpHh9
— Paul Begala (@PaulBegala)
January 18, 2016
Well, you know, I say: Where's freedom? And these two Corinthians — sharp guys, really know what they're talking about — they say, God.
— Katherine Miller (@katherinemiller)
January 18, 2016
Mr Trump's visit to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia came two weeks ahead of the first Republican vote in Iowa, which has a large population of evangelical Christians.
Nacci Palloto, a Liberty student, said Mr Trump seemed on the "lower side" of being authentic when talking about his Christianity.
But Jerry Falwell, Jr., the Chancellor of Liberty University, called Mr Trump, who has been married three times, a "breath of fresh air".
Mr Fallwell said his televangelist father Jerry Fallwell, the founder of the college, had supported divorced Hollywood actor Ronald Reagan over Jimmy Carter, a southern Baptist Sunday school teacher.
He said: "Jesus pointed out that we are all sinners, every one of us. Jimmy Carter was a great Sunday school teacher but look what happened when he was president."
Dr Steve Parson, part of the Black American Ministers Coalition for Trump, said: "This guy has a heart for Christianity. He's a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ."