Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice— first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.
2 Corinthians 1:15-16
These two verses are a good example for those BIG little snippets hidden away in a bible verse.
First take some time to study and think about Paul’s connection or visits to Macedonia.
Here are the references:
Afterward Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go over to Macedonia and Achaia before going to Jerusalem. “And after that,” he said, “I must go on to Rome!” He sent his two assistants, Timothy and Erastus, ahead to Macedonia while he stayed awhile longer in the province of Asia.
Acts 19:21-22
When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia, where he stayed for three months. He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews against his life, so he decided to return through Macedonia.
Acts 20:1,3
I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, for I am planning to travel through Macedonia.
1Corinthians 16:5
first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.
2Corinthians 1:16
But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.
2Corinthians 2:13
Secondly notice the pattern of connection between them.. What do you conclude from the reference in 2 Cor 1:16? That Paul visited them twice or that he managed only one visit on the way back or he didn’t get to visit them at all. There are those possible conclusions from this verse. It seems he certainly didn’t get to visit them twice. Likely as not he made one visit. Because we still have the statements made re the painful visit. And we have the evidence of the feelings among the Corinthians that they can’t trust Paul and what he says. He can’t seem to do what he says he will do. He can’t make up his mind. That is what Paul goes on to address in the following verses.
And to pass by you – Through [δι Ě“] that is, through your city, or province; or to visit them on his way. His plan was to pass through Corinth and Achaia on his journey. This was not the direct way from Ephesus to Macedonia. A look at the map will show the direct way was that which he finally took – going through Troas. Yet he had planned to go out of his way in order to visit them; and intended also, perhaps, to make them also a longer visit on his return, maybe even staying the winter there. The early plan it seems was abandoned. The sense comes out more clearly in the Greek order, “By you to pass into Macedonia, and from Macedonia to come again unto you.” Some read the “pass by you or through you” as meaning he would pass by, through the city but not stop. Yet if that were the case why go the longer way?
Some think that the meaning is he purposed to take in Achaia on his way to Macedonia, without calling at Corinth; Achaia was out of his way considerably, and he could scarcely go through Achaia without passing close by Corinth. I think the words imply he didn’t intend to call at Corinth on the way but to pass by it and then to visit them on the way back. But it seems even the latter plan may have been abandoned due to the Corinthians reaction. If that is the case we need to fit the painful into the mix at another time.
In the next Gem we will look at a pivotal event that I have pondered for a long time. A very significant event hidden in the Bible text that is easy to skip over and not think about.
You Are Either A Prisoner Of Your Past Or A Pioneer Of Your Future.
Robb Thompson
God allows everything to happen for a reason. Circumstances will either direct you, correct you, or perfect you or protect you.
Yan Hendry
Greatness Becomes Ours The Moment We Become Small In Our Own Eyes.
Robb Thompson