2 Corinthians 1:23

Now I appeal to God as my witness, ¹  that to spare ²  you I did not come again to Corinth. ³ 

I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.

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

Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke.

Now, are you ready for the real reason I didn't visit you in Corinth? As God is my witness, the only reason I didn't come was to spare you pain. I was being [considerate] of you, not indifferent, not manipulative.

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

But I call on God as witness against me: it was to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth.

Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.

Now I appeal to God as my witness, ¹  that to spare ²  you I did not come again to Corinth. ³ 

¹ tn Grk “I call upon God as witness against my soul.” Normally this implies an appeal for help (L&N 33.176).

² tn Here φειδόμενος (feidomeno") has been translated as a telic participle.

³ sn Paul had promised to come again to visit (see 2 Cor 1:15, 24) but explains here why he had changed his plans.

map For location see JP1 C2; JP2 C2; JP3 C2; JP4 C2.