2 Corinthians 1:23

2 Corinthians 1:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
• New International Version (NIV)I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.

Context of 2 Corinthians 1:23

21Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us. 22He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment. I call on God as a witness, on my life, that it was to spare you that I did not come to Corinth. 24I do not mean that we lord it over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because you stand firm in your faith.

2 Corinthians 1:23 word by word

Ἐγὼ δὲ μάρτυρα τὸν θεὸν ἐπικαλοῦμαι ἐπὶ τὴν ἐμὴν ψυχὴν ὅτι φειδόμενος ὑμῶν οὐκέτι ἦλθον εἰς Κόρινθον·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Moreoverδέde · thenG1161
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• callἐπικαλέωepikaleomai · to call (on)/nameG1941
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• for a recordμάρτυςmartus · witnessG3144
• uponἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• myἐμόςemos · mineG1699
• soulψυχήpsuchē · soulG5590
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• to spareφείδομαιpheidomai · to spareG5339
• youσύsu · youG4771
• I cameἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• not as yetοὐκέτιouketi · not any moreG3765
• untoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• CorinthΚόρινθοςKorinthos · CorinthG2882

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 1:23

• 2 Corinthians 1:18As God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes and no.”
• 2 Corinthians 11:11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do!
• Romans 1:9God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in telling the good news about his Son — that I constantly mention you,
• Romans 9:1I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying; my conscience testifies to me through the Holy Spirit —
• Galatians 1:20I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.
• Philippians 1:8For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:5For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives — God is our witness —
• 2 Corinthians 2:1In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit.
• 2 Corinthians 10:2I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are living according to the flesh.
• 2 Corinthians 12:20For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and you may not find me to be what you want. Perhaps there will be quarreling, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
• 2 Corinthians 13:2I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient,
• 1 Corinthians 4:21What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
• 1 Corinthians 5:5hand that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
• 1 Timothy 1:20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 1:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23I call God for a record upon my soul - The apostle here resumes the subject which he left 2 Corinthians 1:16, and in the most solemn manner calls God to witness, and consequently to punish, if he asserted any thing false, that it was through tenderness to them that he did not visit Corinth at the time proposed. As there were so many scandals among them, the apostle had reason to believe that he should be obliged to use the severe and authoritative part of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Moreover, I call God for a record upon my soul - It is well remarked by Rosenmuller, that the second chapter should have commenced here, since there is here a transition in the subject more distinct than where the second chapter is actually made to begin. Here Tyndale commences the second chapter. This verse, with the subsequent statements, is designed to show them the true reason why he had changed his purpose, and had not visited them according to his…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-24Verses 15-24 The apostle clears himself from the charge of levity and inconstancy, in not coming to Corinth. Good men should be careful to keep the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve, but on careful thought; and they will not change unless for weighty reasons. Nothing can render God's promises more certain: his giving them through Christ, assures us they are his promises; as the wonders God wrought in the life, resurrection…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23-24God as my witness: This mild oath shows he is telling the truth (see 1 Samuel 12:5; 20:12; Job 16:19; compare Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 14:44; 2 Samuel 3:35; 1 Kings 2:23; Jeremiah 42:5). Paul changed his travel plans to avoid giving them a severe rebuke (2 Corinthians 1:23) and to prevent another painful visit (2:1).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Moreover I--Greek, "But I (for my part)," in contrast to God who hath assured us of His promises being hereafter fulfilled certainly (2Co 1:20-22). call God--the all-knowing One, who avenges wilful unfaithfulness to promises. for a record upon my soul--As a witness as to the secret purposes of my soul, and a witness against it, if I lie (Mal 3:5). to spare you--in order not to come in a rebuking spirit, as I should have had to come to you, if I had…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 1:23

• Love
• Oath

In the dictionaries

• Corinth
• God
• Corinth, Corinthians
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Call
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Despair
• Fleshly
• Testimony
• Wisdom

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings