I call God as my witnessPaul often invokes God as a witness to affirm the truthfulness of his statements, reflecting the seriousness with which he approaches his apostolic duties. This practice is consistent with Jewish tradition, where oaths were made in God's name to confirm honesty (
Deuteronomy 6:13). It underscores Paul's integrity and the gravity of his message, as he seeks to assure the Corinthians of his sincerity and the divine authority behind his actions.
that it was in order to spare you
Paul's decision not to return to Corinth was motivated by a desire to spare the Corinthians from a severe rebuke. This reflects his pastoral heart and concern for their spiritual well-being. The context suggests that his previous visit had been painful due to issues within the church (2 Corinthians 2:1). By delaying his return, Paul hoped to give them time to address these issues, demonstrating his patience and love.
that I did not return to Corinth
Corinth was a major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral challenges. The church there faced significant internal strife and external pressures. Paul's decision not to return immediately was strategic, allowing the church time to resolve conflicts and grow spiritually. This decision aligns with his broader mission strategy, as seen in Acts, where he often revisited churches to strengthen them (Acts 15:36). His absence was not neglect but a deliberate choice to foster maturity and repentance among the believers.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PaulThe apostle who wrote the letter to the Corinthians. He is addressing the church in Corinth with a heartfelt explanation of his actions.
2.
GodInvoked by Paul as a witness to his sincerity and truthfulness, emphasizing the seriousness of his statement.
3.
CorinthA major city in ancient Greece where Paul had established a church. It was known for its diverse culture and moral challenges.
4.
The Corinthian ChurchThe recipients of Paul's letter, who were dealing with internal conflicts and needed guidance and correction.
5.
Paul's Previous VisitAn event that Paul references, indicating his decision not to return was to spare them from further distress.
Teaching Points
Integrity in CommunicationPaul demonstrates the importance of honesty and transparency in our interactions. We should strive to communicate with integrity, ensuring our words align with our actions.
Consideration for OthersPaul's decision not to return to Corinth was motivated by a desire to spare the church from further pain. We should consider the impact of our actions on others and act with compassion and sensitivity.
Accountability to GodBy calling God as his witness, Paul shows his accountability to a higher authority. We should live with an awareness that our actions and decisions are ultimately accountable to God.
Spiritual LeadershipPaul exemplifies responsible spiritual leadership by prioritizing the well-being of the church over his own plans. Leaders should seek the spiritual growth and health of those they lead.
Trust in God's TimingPaul's change of plans reflects a trust in God's timing and wisdom. We should be open to God's guidance, even when it means altering our own plans.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 1:23?
2.How does 2 Corinthians 1:23 demonstrate Paul's integrity and sincerity in his ministry?
3.What does "call God as my witness" teach about accountability in our actions?
4.How can we apply Paul's example of delaying plans for others' benefit today?
5.How does 2 Corinthians 1:23 connect with Matthew 5:37 on honesty?
6.In what ways can we ensure our decisions align with God's will and timing?
7.What does 2 Corinthians 1:23 reveal about Paul's relationship with the Corinthian church?
8.How does 2 Corinthians 1:23 demonstrate Paul's integrity and sincerity in his ministry?
9.Why does Paul call God as his witness in 2 Corinthians 1:23?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Corinthians 1?
11.What does the Bible say about debauchery?
12.In 2 Corinthians 2:1, how can Paul justify avoiding another painful visit if decisive church discipline was necessary?
13.Do you swear to tell the truth under oath?
14.What does "let your yes be yes" mean?What Does 2 Corinthians 1:23 Mean
I call God as my witness• Paul opens with a solemn appeal: “I call God as my witness” (2Colossians 1:23).
• This is not casual language. InRomans 1:9 andPhilippians 1:8 he uses the same kind of oath, underscoring that what follows is absolutely true before the God who “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2).
• The phrase assures the Corinthians—and us—that Paul’s motives and decisions are transparent and accountable to God, reflectingExodus 20:7’s command not to misuse His name.
• By invoking God, Paul also models integrity for believers, echoing Jesus’ call to let “your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No,’ no” (Matthew 5:37).
in order to spare you• Paul’s restraint is pastoral, not self-protective. He desires their spiritual well-being, mirroring his heart in2 Corinthians 2:1–4, where he explains he postponed a visit to avoid causing “another painful visit.”
• He is prepared to confront sin, yet prefers repentance over discipline, resonating with1 Corinthians 4:21: “Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?”
• The goal is always edification (2 Corinthians 13:10). Delaying the trip gives them space to respond to his earlier letter, sparing them the sorrow of severe correction (see2 Corinthians 7:8-10).
• This reflects the Lord’s own patience, “not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
that I did not return to Corinth•Acts 18 records Paul’s founding visit;1 Corinthians 16:5 shows he had planned another. The change could look fickle (2 Corinthians 1:17), but Paul clarifies it was deliberate, loving restraint.
• His delayed return highlights the balance between apostolic authority and servant-hearted care (Mark 10:42-45).
• When he finally does arrive (2 Corinthians 12:14; 13:1), it will be his third visit, and he will come ready to build them up, not tear them down (2 Corinthians 13:10).
• The episode demonstrates that Christian leadership may mean altering plans for the flock’s good, even at the cost of personal misunderstanding (Proverbs 19:21;James 4:13-15).
summaryPaul swears before God that his change of travel plans sprang from love, not inconsistency. By postponing his visit he spared the Corinthians a stern confrontation, granting time for repentance and preserving their joy. The verse reveals a shepherd’s heart guided by truth, patience, and accountability to God—an example for every believer who seeks to act in genuine, sacrificial love.
(23)
I call God for a record.--Better,
I call uponGod as a witness against my soul. The thought seems to come across St. Paul's mind that the Corinthians will require a more specific explanation of his change of plan, and he finds this in what had been in part suggested in
1Corinthians 4:21. Had he carried out his first purpose, he would have come to punish or chastise. He had been, on this account, reluctant to come. His not coming was an act of leniency.
I came not as yet.--Better,I came no more--i.e., not a second time after his first visit. The Greek adverb cannot possibly mean "not yet."
Verse 23. -
Moreover I call God for a record; rather,
But I call God for a witness. At this point, to
2 Corinthians 2:4, he enters for the first time on the kindly reasons which had led him to forego his intended earlier visit. He uses a similar adjuration in
2 Corinthians 11:31; and although these appeals (comp.
1 Corinthians 15:31;
Romans 1:9;
Galatians 1:20) may be due in part to the emotional fervour of his temperament, yet he would hardly have resorted to them in this self defence, if the calumnies of his enemies had not gained much credence. The French proverb,
Qui s'excuse s'accuse, is often grossly abused. The refutation of lies and slanders is often a duty, not because they injure us, but because, by diminishing our usefulness, they may injure others.
Upon my soul. Not "to take vengeance on my soul if I lie," but to confirm the appeal of its honesty and integrity. By the use of such "oaths for confirmation," St. Paul, no less than other apostles, shows that he understood our Lord's rule, "Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay," as applying to the principle of simple and unvarnished truthfulness of intercourse, which requires no further confirmation; but not as a rigid exclusion of the right to appeal to God in solemn cases and for good reasons.
To spare you. This postponement of the intended visit was a sign of .
forbearance, for which they should have been grateful. After all that he had heard of
them, if he had come at all, it could only have been "with a rod" (
1 Corinthians 4:21).
I came not as yet. The rendering is erroneous. It literally means "I no longer came,"
i.e. I forbore to come as I had intended.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
IἘγὼ(Egō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.callἐπικαλοῦμαι(epikaloumai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1941:(a) To call (name) by a supplementary (additional, alternative) name, (b) mid: To call upon, appeal to, address.GodΘεὸν(Theon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.asἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.myἐμὴν(emēn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1699:My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.witnessμάρτυρα(martyra)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3144:A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a 'martyr'.that [it was in order]ὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.to spareφειδόμενος(pheidomenos)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5339:To spare, abstain, forbear. Of uncertain affinity; to be chary of, i.e. to abstain or to treat leniently.youὑμῶν(hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.[that] I did not returnἦλθον(ēlthon)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2064:To come, go.toεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.Corinth.Κόρινθον(Korinthon)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2882:Corinthus, a city of Greece.
Links
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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 1:23 But I call God for a witness (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) 
