2 Corinthians 1:15-24

1:15 And with this confidence I intended to come to you first so that you would get a second opportunity to see us, ¹  1:16 and through your help to go on into Macedonia and then from Macedonia to come back ²  to you and be helped on our way into Judea by you. 1:17 Therefore when I was planning to do this, I did not do so without thinking about what I was doing, did I? ³  Or do I make my plans ⁴  according to mere human standards ⁵  so that I would be saying ⁶  both “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 1:18 But as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the one who was proclaimed among you by us – by me and Silvanus ⁷  and Timothy – was not “Yes” and “No,” but it has always been “Yes” in him. 1:20 For every one of God’s promises are “Yes” in him; therefore also through him the “Amen” is spoken, to the glory we give to God. 1:21 But it is God who establishes ⁸  us together with you in Christ and who anointed us, ⁹  1:22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment. ¹⁰ 

Why Paul Postponed His Visit

1:23 Now I appeal to God as my witness, ¹¹  that to spare ¹²  you I did not come again to Corinth. ¹³  1:24 I do not mean that we rule over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because by faith you stand firm. ¹⁴ 

¹ tn Grk “a second grace,” “a second favor” (used figuratively of a second visit by Paul).

² tn Grk “come again.”

³ tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative answer. This is indicated in the translation by the ‘tag’ question “did I?” at the end of the sentence.

⁴ tn Grk “the things that I plan, do I plan (them).”

⁵ tn Grk “according to the flesh.”

⁶ tn Grk “so that with me there should be.”

⁷ sn Silvanus is usually considered to be the same person as Silas (L&N 93.340).

⁸ tn Or “strengthens.”

⁹ tn Grk “But he who establishes us together with you in Christ and anointed us is God.”

¹⁰ tn Or “first installment,” “pledge,” “deposit.”

¹¹ tn Grk “I call upon God as witness against my soul.” Normally this implies an appeal for help (L&N 33.176).

¹² tn Here φειδόμενος (feidomeno") has been translated as a telic participle.

¹³ sn Paul had promised to come again to visit (see 2 Cor 1:15, 24) but explains here why he had changed his plans.

¹⁴ tn Or “because you stand firm in the faith.”