“And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;”
My Notes
What Does 2 Corinthians 1:15 Mean?
"And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit." Paul explains his travel plans to the Corinthians: he intended to visit them twice — giving them a "second benefit" (deuteran charin — second grace, a double blessing). The travel change (he didn't follow through on the original plan) has been misinterpreted as fickleness (1:17). Paul is defending his reliability: I planned to come twice, not because I'm unreliable but because I wanted you to receive double grace.
The word "benefit" is literally "grace" (charis) — Paul's presence is itself a grace. His visit bestows something. The second grace would have doubled what the first provided. The change in plans wasn't fickleness. It was the interruption of a generous intention.
Reflection Questions
- 1.When has someone assumed the worst about you because plans changed?
- 2.How do you communicate reliability when circumstances force your plans to change?
- 3.What does Paul calling his visit 'grace' (not duty) teach about the purpose of presence?
- 4.Where do you need to defend your sincerity without becoming defensive?
Devotional
A second grace. That's what Paul wanted to give the Corinthians: a double visit, a double blessing, two helpings of apostolic presence. The travel plan changed — and they accused him of being unreliable. And Paul says: the plan was always generosity, not obligation.
Second benefit. Deuteran charin — literally 'second grace.' Not second visit. Second grace. Paul frames his planned double-visit as a gift, not a schedule item. His presence isn't bureaucratic attendance. It's grace — the impartation of something divine through personal contact. And he wanted them to have it twice.
The accusation Paul is defending against (1:17): his changed travel plans prove he's fickle. He says yes and means no. His word can't be trusted. And Paul spends the opening chapters of 2 Corinthians defending his sincerity — not because his ego is bruised but because unreliable apostles produce unreliable faith. If Paul's word can't be trusted, how can the gospel he preaches be trusted?
The defense is theologically grounded (1:18-20): God's word isn't yes and no. It's yes — confirmed in Christ. Paul's changing travel plans don't reflect inconsistent character. They reflect changed circumstances that Paul navigated by the same Spirit who directed every other journey. The plan changed. The person didn't.
The pastoral lesson: when plans change, people assume the worst. They assume fickleness. Unreliability. Lack of care. And the person whose plans changed bears the burden of explanation — not because they did something wrong but because changed plans look like broken promises to people who were expecting you.
Paul's response is grace: the plan was always to bless you. The travel changed. The intention didn't. The second grace was always the goal. And the changed plan doesn't prove I don't care. It proves that circumstances intervened between intention and execution — which happens to everyone who plans anything in a world they don't control.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And in this confidence I was minded,.... Being fully persuaded of your affection for me, as having been instrumental in…
And in his confidence - In this confidence of my integrity, and that you had this favorable opinion of me, and…
And in this confidence - Under the conviction or persuasion that this is the case; that ye exult in us, as we do in…
The apostle here vindicates himself from the imputation of levity and inconstancy, in that he did not hold his purpose…
St Paul's reason for putting off his coming
15. And in this confidence It was the conviction of this community of…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture