2 Corinthians 1:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace.

NIV: Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice.

NASB: In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing;

CSB: Because of this confidence, I planned to come to you first, so that you could have a second benefit,

NLT: Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice —

KJV: And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

NKJV: And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit—

In the closing chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul expressed his original plan. This was to leave Ephesus at Pentecost time, travel to visit the churches in Macedonia, and then arrive in Corinth to visit with them over the winter. He had planted the church in Corinth and led many of them to faith in Christ. He had great affection for them.

For various reasons, it seems Paul's plans changed. Instead of going first to Macedonia, he apparently traveled from Ephesus directly to Corinth. Some scholars suggest that perhaps Timothy brought back a report from Corinth showing even greater struggles over issues of the faith than were realized. Paul may have felt that they could not afford for him to wait to return to them in person.

Judging by what's written in this letter, it seems this visit with them did not go well. One or more in the church opposed Paul, perhaps unhappy over the rebukes of his first letter. Paul describes the visit as painful (2 Corinthians 2:1). It was also brief. He soon left and headed to Macedonia, as he had planned.

Now Paul reveals that he changed his original plans because he wanted to have two visits with them, one on the way to Macedonia and one on the way back. Two visits would give them two experiences of grace. By this, Paul may have meant that they would get to send him off with grace twice instead of once. Or, perhaps, he meant that his presence with them brought them a special blessing of God's grace.

Second Corinthians 1:12–24 contains a defense against accusations. Apparently, some claimed Paul had acted without integrity, openness, or commitment to his stated plans to visit the Corinthians. Those were referenced near the end of his letter of 1 Corinthians. Paul insists that, especially with them, he and his co-workers have behaved with simple integrity and transparency, as well as sincerity. His change in plans has not been a case of frivolously saying ''yes and no'' to them at the same time. He has responded to the leading of the Holy Spirit and delayed his most recent visit for their own good.

Paul begins another letter to the Corinthians following a series of tumultuous events with them. He begins by praising God for His comfort to those who are in affliction, connecting Christian suffering to the sufferings of Christ. Paul insists that his suffering and the comfort he has received from God have been for the Corinthians' benefit. He defends both his integrity and sincerity in dealing with them and explains that he delayed his planned trip to visit them again for their sake.

Second Corinthians 1 follows about a year after the end of 1 Corinthians, and much has happened between the two letters. Paul has had a painful visit with the Corinthians before traveling to Macedonia, where he wrote a painful letter. The text of which has not been kept. He writes this new letter from Macedonia, as well, after learning about a positive change of heart on their behalf. Paul begins by praising God for His comfort for those who are afflicted and defending himself against several complaints from some in the church.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.