2 Corinthians 1:23

ἐγὼ δὲ μάρτυρα τὸν Θεὸν ἐπικ. κ. τ. λ.: but (sc., whatever my opponents may say) I invoke God as a witness against my soul, sc., if I speak falsely; cf. Romans 1:9; Galatians 1:20; Philippians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:10. For ἐπί used in this way cf. εἰς μαρτύριον ἐπʼ αὐτούς (Luke 9:5). The A.V. and R.V. “ upon my soul” do not bring out the sense clearly. ὅτι φειδόμενος ὑμῶν κ. τ. λ.: that to spare you I came not again to Corinth, i.e., “I paid no fresh visit,” “I gave up the thought of coming”. The A.V., “I came not as yet,” is here quite misleading (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:2 and 1 Corinthians 4:21).