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 13:1

Paul’s Third Visit to Corinth

13:1 This is the third time I am coming to visit ⁴  you. By the testimony ⁵  of two or three witnesses every matter will be established. ⁶ 

[1:23]  ¹ tn Grk “I call upon God as witness against my soul.” Normally this implies an appeal for help (L&N 33.176).

[1:23]  ² tn Here φειδόμενος (feidomeno") has been translated as a telic participle.

[1:23]  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.

[13:1]  ⁴ tn The word “visit” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.

[13:1]  ⁵ tn Grk “By the mouth.”

[13:1]  ⁶ sn A quotation from Deut 19:15 (also quoted in Matt 18:16; 1 Tim 5:19).