Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 1:23

What does 2 Corinthians 1:23 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 1:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 1:23 means

Paul solemnly calls God as witness on his soul: he delayed coming to Corinth in order to spare them. His change of plan was not evasion but mercy. A visit at the wrong time might have required severe rebuke; withholding it allowed room for repentance and avoided harsher measures. By appealing to God, Paul shows the gravity and sincerity of his motive. He is accountable to the Lord in pastoral choices. The aim is the church’s good, even if it risked misunderstanding. True shepherding sometimes postpones presence for the sake of healing rather than wounding, trusting God to work through the delay.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But God is my witness that it was in pity for you that I did not come to Corinth at that time.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But I call God to witness upon my soul that to spare you, I came not any more to Corinth: not because we exercise dominion over your faith: but we are helpers of your joy. For in faith you stand.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But I callGod to witness upon my soul that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth.

Context

After establishing that God secures both message and people, Paul explains the heart behind his altered itinerary. He swears before God that the delay was to spare the Corinthians. This counters accusations of cowardice or duplicity and transitions to his final clarification: he does not seek to control their faith but to serve their joy. The closing verse will frame his authority as supportive, not domineering, fitting the whole chapter’s theme of comfort and integrity.

v.22who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

v.23This passage

v.24Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 1:9

    For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers

  • Romans 9:1

    I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit,

  • 2 Corinthians 12:20

    For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;

  • 1 Corinthians 5:5

    to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:18

    But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:6

    and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full.

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