2 Corinthians 1:23 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.

◄ 2 Corinthians 1:23 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
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
But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.

New American Standard Bible
But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth.

King James Bible
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I call on God as a witness, on my life, that it was to spare you that I did not come to Corinth.

International Standard Version
I call upon God as a witness on my behalf that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.

American Standard Version
But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come unto Corinth.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But I call God to witness upon my soul, that to spare you, I came not any more to Corinth:

Darby Bible Translation
But I call God to witness upon my soul that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth.

Young's Literal Translation
And I for a witness on God do call upon my soul, that sparing you, I came not yet to Corinth;

Cross References

Acts 18:1
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

Acts 18:8
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Romans 1:9
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

1 Corinthians 4:21
What will you? shall I come to you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

2 Corinthians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

2 Corinthians 2:1
But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

2 Corinthians 2:3
And I wrote this same to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

2 Corinthians 6:6
By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

2 Corinthians 11:10
As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

2 Corinthians 13:2
I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

1:15-24 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, and ascension of his Son, confirm faith. The Holy Spirit makes Christians firm in the faith of the gospel: the quickening of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life; and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. The apostle desired to spare the blame he feared would be unavoidable, if he had gone to Corinth before he learned what effect his former letter produced. Our strength and ability are owing to faith; and our comfort and joy must flow from faith. The holy tempers and gracious fruits which attend faith, secure from delusion in so important a matter.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

23. 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 come then.

I came not as yet—Greek, "no longer"; that is, I gave up my purpose of then visiting Corinth. He wished to give them time for repentance, that he might not have to use severity towards them. Hence he sent Titus before him. Compare 2Co 10:10, 11, which shows that his detractors represented him as threatening what he had not courage to perform (1Co 4:18, 19).