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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not." Observe throughout the transparent humility of this holy soul; his earnestness in his own vindication is as great as if he had to render an account of his deeds, and was pleading for his life in a court of justice.
Theophylact of Ohrid
As if intending to give testimony before a court, he resorts to these words in order to appear most worthy of trust.
Oecumenius
"I tell you before the Lord that I am not lying." Do you see how he strives with this statement? For he even risked not being credible with regard to the proclamation, as being a follower of men and not of Christ.
Western Saints
Jerome
But what I write to you: behold before God, because I do not lie. Whether to be taken simply, so it is: What I write to you is true, and I confirm it with God as a witness, that they are not tainted by any art of words or any falsehood. Or to be understood more deeply, so it is read: What I write to you is before God, that is, worthy of God's sight. But why worthy of God's sight? Because, of course, I do not lie. …
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, "Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God I lie not," he confirms his statements with an oath. As if to say: The things I now write to you about myself, behold, are so well known that it is obvious I lie not. And this I say before God, i.e., with God as my witness. The Apostle here takes an oath not for a slight reason, but for the sake of those for whom it was necessary, that they might believe. For had he not sworn, they would not have believed him. …
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