2 Corinthians Chapter 1 · Verse 23

Authorized King James Version

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Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

Original Language Analysis

Ἐγὼ I G1473
Ἐγὼ I
Strong's: G1473
Word #: 1 of 17
i, me
δὲ Moreover G1161
δὲ Moreover
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 17
but, and, etc
μάρτυρα for a record G3144
μάρτυρα for a record
Strong's: G3144
Word #: 3 of 17
a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸν God G2316
θεὸν God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 5 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐπικαλοῦμαι call G1941
ἐπικαλοῦμαι call
Strong's: G1941
Word #: 6 of 17
to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.)
ἐπὶ upon G1909
ἐπὶ upon
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 7 of 17
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐμὴν my G1699
ἐμὴν my
Strong's: G1699
Word #: 9 of 17
my
ψυχήν soul G5590
ψυχήν soul
Strong's: G5590
Word #: 10 of 17
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 11 of 17
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
φειδόμενος to spare G5339
φειδόμενος to spare
Strong's: G5339
Word #: 12 of 17
to be chary of, i.e., (subjectively) to abstain or (objectively) to treat leniently
ὑμῶν you G5216
ὑμῶν you
Strong's: G5216
Word #: 13 of 17
of (from or concerning) you
οὐκέτι not as yet G3765
οὐκέτι not as yet
Strong's: G3765
Word #: 14 of 17
not yet, no longer
ἦλθον I came G2064
ἦλθον I came
Strong's: G2064
Word #: 15 of 17
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς unto G1519
εἰς unto
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 16 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Κόρινθον Corinth G2882
Κόρινθον Corinth
Strong's: G2882
Word #: 17 of 17
corinthus, a city of greece

Analysis & Commentary

Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul (μάρτυρα τὸν θεὸν ἐπικαλοῦμαι ἐπὶ τὴν ἐμὴν ψυχήν)—martyra...epikaloumai (μάρτυρα...ἐπικαλοῦμαι, "I call as witness") is oath formula (Rom 1:9, Phil 1:8, 1 Thess 2:5). Epi tēn emēn psychēn (ἐπὶ τὴν ἐμὴν ψυχήν, "upon my soul/life") stakes Paul's existence—may God judge if he lies.

That to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth—pheidomenos (φειδόμενος, "sparing/forbearing") shows merciful restraint. Paul's delay wasn't fickleness (v. 17) but pastoral care: premature return during unresolved conflict would require severe discipline.

Historical Context

Written around AD 55-56 from Macedonia after Paul's 'painful visit' to Corinth (2:1). The Corinthian church faced challenges to Paul's apostolic authority from 'super-apostles' (11:5) who valued eloquence over cruciform ministry. Paul writes to defend his ministry, explain his changed travel plans, and restore relationship with this fractious congregation.

Questions for Reflection