What does 2 Corinthians 1:16 mean?
Paul changed his plans for when and how he would make a personal visit to Corinth. Initially, believers in that city received the letter now known as 1 Corinthians, likely delivered by Timothy. In that letter, Paul said he would arrive in time to spend the winter with them after traveling first through Macedonia to visit the churches there.For some reason, however, Paul changed his mind. It's possible that Timothy returned from Corinth with a report that things were not going well. Perhaps Paul felt his presence was needed sooner than later. So, from the Corinthians' point of view, he may have arrived unexpectedly. They might have been upset that he'd arrived much sooner than they were anticipating him.
According to 2 Corinthians 2:1, Paul left after a brief and painful visit. Now he explains his revised plan was to visit them twice, once on his way to Macedonia and again on his way back. He is answering an apparent charge from some in Corinth that changes in his plans were due to a lack of commitment and / or honesty.