Why Paul Didn’t Visit Corinth
In 2 Corinthians 1:12–2:4, Paul addresses a specific situation: why he didn’t visit the Corinthian church as originally planned. Some in the church questioned his integrity and commitment, assuming his change in plans reflected selfish motives. But Paul uses this conflict to defend his actions, affirm his sincerity, and remind the Corinthians that the gospel is trustworthy and certain.
Understanding this passage requires some background on Paul’s relationship with the Corinthians, including the letters and visits that didn’t survive.
Review
Last week we saw that Paul began his letter with a picture of mutual Christian concern between himself and the Corinthians.
Paul founded the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey and stayed about 18 months. After he left, he returned to Antioch. Later, he went to Ephesus and launched his third missionary journey. He wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus and this letter about a year later from Macedonia.
Paul suffered a great deal as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He saw those troubles benefiting the Corinthians in two ways. First, he suffered to bring them the gospel. Just as people hated Jesus for speaking the truth, so they hated Paul as his representative. Second, God encouraged Paul in his sufferings, and Paul passed that encouragement on to them. Their prayers for Paul, and their gratitude when God delivered him, completed the picture.
I argued we need to know three things to understand this letter:
- Paul often uses the first person plural. When he says “we,” he frequently means “I, Paul.”
- Paul wrote another letter after 1 Corinthians and before this letter. In 2 Corinthians he responds to how they responded to that missing letter.
- Paul’s relationship with this church was difficult. Some respected him; others rejected his authority.
Not All in Corinth Accepted Paul
Starting in 1:12, we see that not all the Corinthians embraced this picture of mutual concern. Paul had opponents in Corinth. Some were suspicious of him, and some even rejected him as an apostle. At times, their relationship was contentious and painful. Paul appeals to them to see their relationship as he sees it and to be more sympathetic to him.
The Correspondence and Visits Between Paul and Corinth
To understand this section, we need background. This is actually the fourth letter Paul wrote to Corinth. The evidence suggests Paul wrote at least four letters, but only two survived.
For more detail: How Many Letters did Paul write to Corinth?
- First Visit: Paul founded the church during his second missionary journey and stayed for about 18 months. (Acts 18, about AD 51-52).
- First Letter: Paul wrote a letter after returning home that is lost (1 Corinthians 5:9). This “lost letter” probably came from Ephesus during his third missionary journey when he heard about troubles in Corinth.
- Letter From Corinth: The Corinthians wrote a letter to Paul in response to the lost letter.
- Second Letter: Paul responds to their letter in the letter we call 1 Corinthians (1 Corinthians 7:1).
- Second Visit: Paul visited Corinth, in a visit not recorded in Acts. This visit was a painful one.
- Third Letter: Paul wrote a “sorrowful” or “severe letter after the painful visit instead of returning in person. This letter is lost (2 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:8)
- Fourth Letter: After hearing encouraging news from Titus about the Corinthians’ response, to the severe letter, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians from Macedonia,
This background is essential. Paul is defending himself in this letter. Knowing the difficult relationship explains why he defends himself and helps us understand his defense.
1:12 Paul’s Integrity
Remember, this is a section where Paul uses “we” to mean “I, Paul.”
2Co 1:12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
When someone insists his conscience is clear, he is likely defending himself against a charge of wrongdoing. Some in Corinth accused Paul of hypocrisy and of lacking pastoral concern. Paul insists his conscience is clear. He was straightforward and sincere with them.
1:13-14 Plain Speech and Hope for Full Understanding
2Co 1:13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand, and I hope you will fully understand, 2Co 1:14 just as you did partially understand us, that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.
“I write nothing other than what you read and understand” can sound redundant, but Paul is assuring them he is not hiding anything. He is not speaking in code. What he writes is what he means.
He hopes that as they grow, they will see his ministry for what it is: faithful and genuine. Some already understand him; some only partially; some reject him. He is hopeful that in time they will fully trust him. Then, when Jesus returns, they will rejoice together in what God accomplished through Paul’s ministry among them.
1:15-16 The Original Travel Plan
2Co 1:15 And in this confidence I intended at first to come to you, that you might twice receive a blessing, 2Co 1:16 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.
From Ephesus, Paul had two routes to Corinth: by sea straight across the Aegean, or overland through Macedonia. Believing relations were good, he planned to visit twice, on the way to Macedonia and on the way back, so they would receive a “double grace.”
1:17-18 Accusations of Vacillation
2Co 1:17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 2Co 1:18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.
When Paul did not visit as planned, some concluded he did not take them seriously. They accused him of vacillation, of promising “yes” while intending “no,” and of not being committed to them.
Before explaining his change of plans, Paul rejects the charge. He was not acting from selfish motives. He did not casually say yes, then arbitrarily decide no. He appeals to God’s faithfulness to reinforce his own reliability. His plans changed, but his integrity did not.
1:19-20 The Gospel’s Yes in Christ
2Co 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 2Co 1:20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
Paul links his ministry to God’s faithfulness. The Jesus he preached is not “yes and no.” In Christ, God’s promises find their Yes. Jesus brings the promises to fruition. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy add their “amen” through faithful ministry.
1:21-22 The Spirit as God’s Guarantee
2Co 1:21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 2Co 1:22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
God establishes all believers in Christ, anoints them, seals them, and gives the Spirit as a pledge. The Spirit is the down payment on the glories to come. This shared work of God should counter doubts about Paul’s ministry. Their confidence rests on God’s action, not on Paul’s travel plans.
1:23-24 Why Paul Delayed His Visit
2Co 1:23 But I call God to witness against me, it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 2Co 1:24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
Paul stayed away to spare them a painful visit. After his sorrowful visit, he decided it was not the right time to return. He wrote a severe letter instead, sent by Titus. When Titus returned with good news, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians.
Paul clarifies that he is not lording it over their faith. He works with them for their joy. Any rebuke is for their benefit, to foster a faith that leads to joy.
2:1-4 The Painful Visit and the Severe Letter
2Co 2:1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2Co 2:2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 2Co 2:3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 2Co 2:4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.
These verses confirm a trip not recorded in Acts. Paul made a painful visit to Corinth, then chose to write rather than return immediately. He wrote with anguish and tears, knowing the letter could grieve them, but hoping to avoid an explosive in-person confrontation and to communicate his love.
He believed writing would be less volatile and more fruitful. Later in 2 Corinthians, we learn their response was generally positive. He wrote confident that his joy would become their joy, as they reconciled around the gospel.
Reflections
I am struck by two things.
First, the elegant simplicity of Paul’s argument. Some doubt he is an apostle and accuse him of hypocrisy. Paul says, examine yourselves. Do you see the Spirit of God at work in you? If you do, you are God’s children.
How did you become God’s children? I taught you the gospel. If I were a false teacher, you would not have the Spirit. But you do. Therefore, you believed the true gospel I preached, and my ministry among you is authentic. His change of plans does not negate the truth that God gave them his Spirit through the gospel Paul proclaimed.
Second, the promises of God are Yes in Jesus. Scripture is filled with God’s promises. God acted on those promises by sending Jesus to teach the truth, die for our sins, rise from the grave, and reign in glory. The fulfillment is already in motion. Jesus is the guarantee that God keeps his word. And God has given us the Holy Spirit as a pledge to see us through to the end. Paul is not saying “yes and no.” In Jesus, God’s answer is Yes.
Key Takeaways
- Paul changed his plans not because he lacked commitment but because he cared deeply about the Corinthians’ spiritual well-being.
- They can have confidence Paul taught them the true gospel because they have the Spirit.
- They can have utter confidence in what God is doing in their lives, even if they don’t like that fact that God used Paul to do it.
- We can have confidence God will fulfill his promises to us because Jesus has already started the process.
Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.
Next: 03 Why Paul didn’t Change the Message to Win More Converts (2 Corinthians 2:5-17)
Previous: 01 Suffering, Comfort, and Prayer: What Paul Teaches About Ministry (2 Corinthians 1:1-11)
Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts
Resources to help you study: 2 Corinthians
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Podcast season 26, episode 2
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