23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
23 Moreover G1161 I G1473 call G1941 God G2316 for a record G3144 upon G1909 my G1699 soul, G5590 that G3754 to spare G5339 you G5216 I came G2064 not as yet G3765 unto G1519 Corinth. G2882
23 But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come unto Corinth.
23 And I for a witness on God do call upon my soul, that sparing you, I came not yet to Corinth;
23 But I call God to witness upon my soul that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth.
23 But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn't come to Corinth to spare you.
23 But God is my witness that it was in pity for you that I did not come to Corinth at that time.
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? And I wrote this same unto 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.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 1
After the introduction (v. 1, 2) the apostle begins with the narrative of his troubles and God's goodness, which he had met with in Asia, by way of thanksgiving to God (v. 3-6), and for the edification of the Corinthians (v. 7-11). Then he attests his and his fellow-labourers' integrity (v. 12-14), and afterwards vindicates himself from the imputation of levity and inconstancy (v. 15-24).
2Cr 1:1-2
This is the introduction to this epistle, in which we have,
2Cr 1:3-6
After the foregoing preface, the apostle begins with the narrative of God's goodness to him and his fellow-labourers in their manifold tribulations, which he speaks of by way of thanksgiving to God, and to advance the divine glory (v. 3-6); and it is fit that in all things, and in the first place, God be glorified. Observe,
2Cr 1:7-11
In these verses the apostle speaks for the encouragement and edification of the Corinthians; and tells them (v. 7) of his persuasion or stedfast hope that they should receive benefit by the troubles he and his companions in labour and travel had met with, that their faith should not be weakened, but their consolations increased. In order to this he tells them,
2Cr 1:12-14
The apostle in these verses attests their integrity by the sincerity of their conversation. This he does not in a way of boasting and vain-glory, but as one good reason for desiring the help of prayer, as well as for the more comfortably trusting in God (Heb. 13:18), and for the necessary vindication of himself from the aspersions of some persons at Corinth, who reproached his person and questioned his apostleship. Here,
2Cr 1:15-24
The apostle here vindicates himself from the imputation of levity and inconstancy, in that he did not hold his purpose of coming to them at Corinth. His adversaries there sought all occasions to blemish his character, and reflect upon his conduct; and, it seemed, they took hold of this handle to reproach his person and discredit his ministry. Now, for his justification,