2Cor 1:15-2:4 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Cor 1:15-2:2: 1:15–2:2 Paul had changed his travel plan . In 1 Cor 16:5 , he expressed the hope of visiting Corinth after passing through Macedonia . Then he evidently promised to visit Corinth earlier (perhaps in his “severe letter,” 2 Cor 7:8 )—on his way north. Now he would have to go back to the original plan, and that earlier visit, bringing a double blessing , would not be happening after all.

Summary for 2Cor 1:15-2:2: 1:15–2:2 ^a Paul had changed his travel plan. In 1 Cor 16:5 ^b, he expressed the hope of visiting Corinth after passing through Macedonia. Then he evidently promised to visit Corinth earlier (perhaps in his “severe letter,” 2 Cor 7:8 ^c)—on his way north. Now he would have to go back to the original plan, and that earlier visit, bringing a double blessing, would not be happening after all.
1:17 ^d Paul’s apparent indecisiveness and failure to keep his promise were being criticized. Paul’s protest is indignant.
Summary for 2Cor 1:18-22: 1:18-22 ^e It was bad enough that Paul’s enemies at Corinth had attacked his character as unreliable and shifty (1:17 ^f). It was worse when they charged that his entire message was just as uncertain. In these verses Paul answers that allegation.
Summary for 2Cor 1:18-20: 1:18-20 ^g As surely as God is faithful: God can be trusted, as can his promises in Christ and his ministry through the apostles.
1:19 ^h Silas was a well-known Christian leader from the church in Antioch (see Acts 15:22 ⁱ, 27 ^j, 32 ^k; 1 Thes 1:1 ^l; 2 Thes 1:1 ^m; 1 Pet 5:12 ⁿ).
1:20 ^o God has put a seal of approval, with a resounding “Yes!” on the Old Testament prophecies as they are fulfilled in Christ. Believers respond with “Amen,” meaning “confirmed and agreed.”
Summary for 2Cor 1:21-22: 1:21-22 ^p Paul’s ministry was enabled, commissioned (literally anointed), and endorsed by God, who equipped him for his work.

• along with you: All believers are identified ... as his own (literally sealed) by the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to his people (see Rom 8:1-27 ^q; Gal 3:2-7 ^r; 5:5-6 ^s, 16-26 ^t; Eph 1:13-14 ^u).

• First installment is a commercial term for a deposit or down payment, guaranteeing full possession (see 2 Cor 5:5 ^v; Eph 1:14 ^w).
Summary for 2Cor 1:23-2:2: 1:23–2:2 ^x God as my witness: This mild oath indicates that he is telling the truth (see 1 Sam 12:5 ^y; 20:12 ^z; Job 16:19 ^aa; cp. Ruth 1:17 ^ab; 1 Sam 14:44 ^ac; 2 Sam 3:35 ^ad; 1 Kgs 2:23 ^ae; Jer 42:5 ^af). The real reason for Paul’s change of travel plans was to spare them from a severe rebuke (2 Cor 1:23 ^ag) and not inflict another painful visit on them (2:1 ^ah).

‏ 2 Corinthians 2:1-4

2:1 ^ai Paul’s previous visit had been very painful and had caused him great distress. This visit is not recorded in Acts; it apparently took place during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus (see Acts 19:8-22 ^aj). During that visit, Paul severely rebuked the church (2 Cor 1:23 ^ak) and was insulted by an unnamed man (2:5-11 ^al).
Summary for 2Cor 2:3-4: 2:3-4 ^am After his painful visit (2:1 ^an), Paul then wrote a letter with great anguish ... and many tears that was intended for the Corinthians’ good. That letter (see also 7:8-10 ^ao) has evidently been lost. But it was effective in bringing about the needed repentance and change.