2 Corinthians 2:12

Came to Troas. Verses 12, 13 reveal Paul’s deep personal affection for the Corinthian believers and his unabated interest in their welfare. He had apparently dispatched Titus to Corinth to work for the restoration of harmony and to obtain a full report of conditions and of how the Corinthians received his letter of reproof. It seems that they had agreed to meet each other at Troas, but Titus had apparently been prevented from keeping that appointment. Anxiety overwhelmed Paul as he imagined that his worst fears about the Corinthian church had come true. This frame of mind made it impossible for him to labor effectively at Troas. Concerning the city of Troas and Paul’s previous visit there see on Acts 16:8–11. Paul again visited Troas on his return from Corinth, en route to Jerusalem (Acts 20:6–12), and also after his release from his first imprisonment at Rome (see on 2 Tim. 4:13).

Christ’s gospel. That is, the gospel that proceeds from Christ. Upon leaving Ephesus, Paul had intended to devote some considerable time to evangelistic labors at Troas.

A door. Apparently there was a ready response to Paul’s preaching at Troas. The figure of a door to represent opportunity appears elsewhere in 1 Cor. 16:9 (see on Rev. 3:8). Divine providence had opened many doors for Paul, including the door of escape from death (see 2 Cor. 1:8–10). Paul saw God’s hand in the light and in the darkness, in sunshine and in rain. He even saw God’s hand turning the “thorn” in his “flesh” to a good purpose (ch. 12:7). The Christian must ever be alert for the providence of God upon his pathway—earnestly watching, patiently waiting, promptly obeying, and thankfully rejoicing.