2 Corinthians 1-4 - Who is there to make me glad?

2:1,2

Paul continues his explanation for the change in plans. The motive behind Paul’s change was to avoid “another painful visit”. Clearly, there had already been one painful visit. Paul was not just wanting things to be right in Corinth in the sense that a regulator or assessment body wants to check that things are in order, but he had a personal concern for them, and wanted their to be a positive and joyful relationship.

2:3,4

Paul must have sent quite a severe and direct letter (this may have been 1 Corinthians, or some letter sent in between 1 and 2 Corinthians). He had spoken directly with the hope that they would sort things out. Indeed, he had confidence that the church at Corinth would put things in order, so that there could be unity again. Paul was an emotional man. Indeed, if we look throughout the Bible we find men demonstrating emotion. Paul wrote and acted as he did because of a deep care and concern for the Corinthian church.