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 establishes us with you in Messiah. He anointed us, 22set His seal on us, and gave us the Ruach in our hearts as a pledge. But I call God as my witness—to spare you, I didn’t come to Corinth again. 24Not that we lord it over you in matters of faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy—for in the 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

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 1:18But as God is faithful, our message to you is not both “Yes” and “No.”
• 2 Corinthians 11:11Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
• Romans 1:9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the Good News of His Son. How unceasingly I make mention of you,
• Romans 9:1I tell the truth in Messiah—I do not lie, my conscience assuring me in the Ruach ha-Kodesh—
• Galatians 1:20(In what I’m writing you, before God, I do not lie.)
• Philippians 1:8For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Messiah Yeshua.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:5For as you know and God is witness, we never came with a word of flattery or a motive of greed—
• 2 Corinthians 2:1So I made up my mind that I would not come to you again causing sorrow.
• 2 Corinthians 10:2I beg of you that when I am present I won’t need to be bold with the courage I consider showing against some who judge us as walking in the flesh.
• 2 Corinthians 12:20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come, I may find you not as I wish, or I may be found by you not as you wish—that there may be strife, envy, outbursts of anger, self-seeking disputes, lashon ha-ra , gossip, arrogance, unruly commotions.
• 2 Corinthians 13:2I spoke a warning, when I was with you the second time. Though now I am away, I am again speaking a warning to those who have sinned before, as well as to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone—
• 1 Corinthians 4:21What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
• 1 Corinthians 5:5you are to turn such a fellow over to satan for the destruction of his fleshly nature, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Yeshua.
• 1 Timothy 1:20Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander—whom I have handed over to satan to be disciplined 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