2 Corinthians 1:15-17

In this confidence. That is, their confidence in Paul’s integrity and sincerity (see vs. 12-14).

I was minded. At first Paul had intended to go directly from Ephesus to Corinth, by sea, and then to Macedonia, back to Corinth, and on to Jerusalem. Thus he purposed to honor them with two visits (see below under “second” and “benefit”) on the same journey, while the Macedonians were to have but one. It meant going out of his way to spend this extra time with the Corinthian church. He had abandoned the double visit to Corinth, for the reason given in v. 23.

Before. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) placing this word with the verb “was minded” rather than with the infinitive “to come.” However, the sense seems to require, and commentators generally agree, that its position should be as in the KJV. Thus understood, Paul means that he had purposed to visit Corinth “before” going on to Macedonia.

Second. It is not altogether clear whether Paul is thinking of his original visit to Corinth as the first “benefit” and this proposed double visit as the second, or whether he is thinking of the now canceled itinerary, with its first and second visits.

Benefit. Gr. charis, “grace,” or “favor.” Textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for reading chara, “joy,” or “pleasure.” Paul had informed the Corinthians of his change of plans (1 Cor. 16:5, 6), and his opponents at Corinth took advantage of the change to charge him with vacillation and flippancy (2 Cor. 1:17). They seized upon this flimsy pretext because of their own ill will toward him and their desire to discredit him.