2 Corinthians 1:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.

NIV: I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea.

NASB: that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea.

CSB: and to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and then come to you again from Macedonia and be helped by you on my journey to Judea.

NLT: first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.

KJV: And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

NKJV: to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.

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.

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.

Accessed 5/2/2024 11:04:01 PM