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 He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth. 24Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

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

• I callἐπικαλέωepikaleomai · to call (on)/nameG1941
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• as witnessμάρτυςmartus · witnessG3144
• to my soulψυχήpsuchē · soulG5590
• to spareφείδομαιpheidomai · to spareG5339
• you I did not comeἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• againοὐκέτιouketi · not any moreG3765
• CorinthΚόρινθοςKorinthos · CorinthG2882

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 1:23

• 2 Corinthians 1:18But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no.
• 2 Corinthians 11:11Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
• Romans 1:9For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,
• Romans 9:1I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,
• Galatians 1:20(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)
• Philippians 1:8For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:5For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness--
• 2 Corinthians 2:1But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again.
• 2 Corinthians 10:2I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh.
• 2 Corinthians 12:20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;
• 2 Corinthians 13:2I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone,
• 1 Corinthians 4:21What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
• 1 Corinthians 5:5I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
• 1 Timothy 1:20Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will 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