2 Corinthians 1:23

Why Paul Postponed His Visit

1:23 Now I appeal to God as my witness, ¹  that to spare ²  you I did not come again to Corinth. ³ 

2 Corinthians 9:14

9:14 And in their prayers on your behalf they long for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown to you. ⁴ 

2 Corinthians 13:1

Paul’s Third Visit to Corinth

13:1 This is the third time I am coming to visit ⁵  you. By the testimony ⁶  of two or three witnesses every matter will be established. ⁷ 

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.

⁴ tn Grk “the extraordinary grace of God to you”; the point is that God has given or shown grace to the Corinthians.

⁷ tn The word “visit” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.

⁸ tn Grk “By the mouth.”

⁹ sn A quotation from Deut 19:15 (also quoted in Matt 18:16; 1 Tim 5:19).