1 Corinthians 16:5 - Exposition

When I shall pass through Macedonia; rather, when 1 have passed through Macedonia. For I do pass through Macedonia ; rather, for 1 mean to pass through Macedonia. We learn from 2 Corinthians 1:15 , 2 Corinthians 1:16 , that it had been St. Paul's intention to sail from Ephesus to Corinth, thence, after a brief stay, to proceed to Macedonia, and on his return to come again for a longer stay at Corinth on his way to Judaea. He had in an Epistle, now lost (see 1 Corinthians 5:9 ), announced to them this intention, he changed his plan because, in the present disgraceful state of disorganization into which the Church had fallen, he felt that he could not visit them without being compelled to exercise a severity which, he hoped, might be obviated by writing to them and delaying his intended visit. Nothing but his usual delicacy and desire to spare them prevented him from stating all this more fully ( 2 Corinthians 1:23 ; 2 Corinthians 2:1 ). Mistaking the kindness of his purpose, the Corinthians accused him of levity. He defends himself from this charge in the Second Epistle, and he carried out the plan which he here announces ( 2 Corinthians 2:13 ; 2 Corinthians 8:1 ; 2 Corinthians 9:2 , 2 Corinthians 9:4 ; 2 Corinthians 12:14 ; 2 Corinthians 13:1 ).