23 I call God as my witness-and I stake my life on it-that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
23 But I call God to witness against me--it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.
23 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.
23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.
23 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.
21 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.
21 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
21 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.
21 That's why I decided not to make another visit that could only be painful to both of us.
21 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow.
21 So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit.
(Read 2 Corinthians 2:1-4)
The apostle desired to have a cheerful meeting with them; and he had written in confidence of their doing what was to their benefit and his comfort; and that therefore they would be glad to remove every cause of disquiet from him. We should always give pain unwillingly, even when duty requires that it must be given.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1:23
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1:15-24
(Read 2 Corinthians 1:15-24)
The apostle clears himself from the charge of levity and inconstancy, in not coming to Corinth. Good men should be careful to keep the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve, but on careful thought; and they will not change unless for weighty reasons. Nothing can render God's promises more certain: his giving them through Christ, assures us they are his promises; as the wonders God wrought in the life, resurrection, and ascension of his Son, confirm faith. The Holy Spirit makes Christians firm in the faith of the gospel: the quickening of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life; and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. The apostle desired to spare the blame he feared would be unavoidable, if he had gone to Corinth before he learned what effect his former letter produced. Our strength and ability are owing to faith; and our comfort and joy must flow from faith. The holy tempers and gracious fruits which attend faith, secure from delusion in so important a matter.