2 Coríntios 2

2 Coríntios 2

Clarke explains that "Because of the scandals that were among them he could not see them comfortably; and therefore he determined not to see them at all till he had reason to believe that those evils were put away.” (2 Corinthians 2) Come...again implies a previous visit which had been painful and caused the Corinthians sorrow. This of course does not refer to the first stay in Corinth for 18 months during which he founded the church (Acts 18:1-10,11+). In 2 Cor 12:14 Paul writes that for a "third time I am ready to come to you." (see also 2 Cor 13:1-2). Denney writes "that the natural meaning is that Paul had once visited Corinth in grief, and was resolved not to repeat such a visit." (Expositor's Bible) A T Robertson on come...again - What does Paul mean by “again” (palin)? Had he paid another visit besides that described in Acts 18 which was in sorrow (en lupēi)? Or does he mean that having had one joyful visit (that in Acts 18) he does not wish the second one to be in sorrow? Either interpretation is possible as the Greek stands and scholars disagree. So in 12:14 “The third time I am ready to come” may refer to the proposed second visit (1:15f.) and the present plan (a third). And so as to 13:1. There is absolutely no way to tell clearly whether Paul had already made a second visit. MacArthur on not come...again - The apostle was referring to a painful visit he had earlier made to Corinth. Learning of the false prophets’ arrival, Paul left Ephesus and hurried to Corinth to deal with the situation. The visit was not a success; in fact, someone (possibly one of the false apostles) openly insulted Paul (cf. 2 Cor. 2:5–8, 10; 7:12), and the Corinthians did not defend him. It was that painful visit that had prompted Paul to write the “severe letter” he referred to in 2:4. By giving the Corinthians time to repent, Paul hoped to avoid another painful encounter with them. Thus, his change in travel plans was not motivated by fickleness and unreliability, as the false teachers claimed, but by Paul’s sensitivity toward his beloved church. (MNTC-2 Cor) Ray