2 Corinthians 1:23

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 1:23-24

2 Corinthians 1:23-24 . Moreover, I call God to record As if he had said, That you may believe me in what I am going to affirm, I call God as a witness, upon, or against my soul If I do not speak the truth. Was not Paul now speaking by the Spirit? And can a more solemn oath be conceived? Who then can imagine that Christ ever designed to forbid swearing? That to spare you That out of tenderness to you, and to avoid punishing you; I came not as yet to Corinth That is, I deferred... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:12-24

1:12-2:17 PAUL EXPLAINS HIS RECENT ACTIONSReasons for changing his plans (1:12-2:4)Certain people in Corinth had accused Paul of insincerity. According to them, Paul tried to give the impression through his conduct and his letters that he felt in a certain way, when he did not feel that way at all. Paul denies this. In all his behaviour, whether in dealing with people in general or in dealing with the Corinthians in particular, he has been sincere and straightforward. The same is true of his... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Corinthians 1:23

call God for a record = invoke God as a witness. call. Greek. epikaleomai . See Acts 2:21 , Compare Acts 25:11 , Acts 25:12 , Acts 25:21 , Acts 25:25 ; &c. record. Greek. martur. Compare Romans 1:9 . upon , Greek. epi. App-104 . soul . Greek. psuche. App-110 . spare . Greek. pheidomai. See Acts 20:29 . as yet . Greek. ouketi . unto . Greek. eis . App-104 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:23

But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come to Corinth. Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast.I call God for a witness ... Some call this an oath; but others deny it. Even God himself, for a righteous purpose, "interposed with an oath" (Hebrews 6:17); and Paul's appeal to God as witness in this passage would seem to indicate that the prohibition of Christ in Matthew 5:34ff should not be applied to... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:23-24

2 Corinthians 1:23-24. Moreover, I call God for a record— Or, to witness. Nothing but the great importance of St. Paul's vindicating his character to such a church, would have justified the solemnity of an oath of this kind. The meaning of these verses is as follows: "With respect to that change in my purpose of coming to you, which some would represent as an instance of a contrary conduct, I call God to witness, and declare to you, even as I have hope that he will have mercy on my soul, that... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:23

23. Moreover I—Greek, "But I (for my part)," in contrast to GOD who hath assured us of His promises being hereafter fulfilled certainly (2 Corinthians 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 ( :-). 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... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 1:23

Paul’s use of an oath should not disturb us."Our Lord’s prohibition of swearing in Matthew 5:33 ff. is directed against the casuistry that was prevalent among the Jews of His time, in accordance with which not only was swearing frequent in ordinary speech, but also oaths were regarded as not binding provided the Divine Name had not been invoked and even lies were condoned if unaccompanied by an oath. Such a situation was a grave scandal in the name of religion and truth." [Note: Ibid.] Swearing... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:1-24

Introductory Section2 Corinthians 1:1-11. Salutation and ThanksgivingAfter the usual epistolary introduction, St. Paul makes pointed reference to a severe trouble he has lately endured, and gives thanks to God for deliverance from it.1. By the will of God] He asserts his divine call to office in presence of opposition: cp. 1 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1, and contrast Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, in cases where his relations to the Church were happy. Saints] A common designation of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Corinthians 1:23

(23) I call God for a record.—Better, I call upon God 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 1 Corinthians 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... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Corinthians 1:1-24

Comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 I. The Relation of Comfort to Trouble. When we deal with sorrow, not merely as a practical but as a personal fact, no general considerations suffice; speculation is powerless to assuage grief. We only know it is there, and we must either have it taken away or must be taught how to bear it; in other words, we feel the pain, and we long after either happiness or comfort. And of the two it is not happiness but comfort that God has appointed for us. With Christ,... read more

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