2 Corinthians 1:23

I call God for a record upon my soul Literally, to witness, as the Rhemish version. Tyndale, whom the other translators follow, has recorde. Either (1) I call God to witness againstmy soul, i.e. to avenge my perjury (so Calvin and Grotius; Wiclif, agens), or (2) on behalf ofmy soul, as appealing to God as a witness of his sincerity. See Romans 1:9; Romans 9:1; Galatians 1:20; Philippians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:5. Also ch. 2 Corinthians 11:31. In these passages, however, the form of the expression is different. The word here translated -call for a record" is not used in Scripture in a bad sense. It signifies (1) to surname, as in Matthew 10:3; (2) to appeal, as in Acts 25:11; and (3) to call upon, as in Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2, &c. Augustine and other commentators have remarked that it is lawful for a Christian to take an oath upon a proper occasion. Cf. Matthew 26:63.

that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth Though St Paul could -use sharpness" if need so required he desired, as the minister of the God of love, rather to come in the -spirit of meekness."