Why Paul Changed His Travel Plans
2 Corinthians 1:15-2:4
Paul moves from defending his integrity in general to defending it in a specific instance: why he changed previously announced travel plans.[1] This change has caused some among the Corinthians to question his dependability.[2] But not only does Paul give concrete explanations for his behavior, but he also appeals to God’s integrity in the gospel, and Paul’s attempt to emulate that integrity in his dealings with the Corinthians. Thus, the passage weaves back and forth between specific circumstances and overriding theological ideas. Therefore, let’s use this passage to get an idea of how we can conduct ourselves with one another, how we can process our disappointment when people don’t do what we expect them to do, and how the gospel informs all of this. This passage speaks to these ideas by having us consider why Paul changed his travel plans.
[1] Guthrie, 2 Corinthians, 101.
[2] Guthrie, 2 Corinthians, 101.