Great difficulty exists as to the circumstances in which the epistle was written, and as to the whole situation between 1 and 2 Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians Paul had intimated his intention of visiting the Corinthians and wintering with them, coming to them through Macedonia (
1Co 16:5-7; compare also
Ac 19:21). In
2Co 1:15,
16 he refers to a somewhat different plan, Corinth-Macedonia-Corinth-Judaea; and describes this return from Macedonia to Corinth as a second or double benefit. But if this plan, on which he and his friends had counted, had not been entirely carried out, it had been for good reason (
2Co 1:17), and not due to mere fickleness or light-hearted change to suit his own convenience. It was because he would "spare" them (
2Co 1:23), and not come to them "again with sorrow" (
2Co 2:1). That is, he had been with them, but there had been such a profound disturbance in their relations that he dared not risk a return meantime; instead, he had written a letter to probe and test them, "out of much affliction and anguish of heart.... with many tears" (
2Co 2:4) Thank God, this severe letter had accomplished its mission. It had produced sorrow among them (
2Co 2:2;
7:8,
9)but it had brought their hearts back to him with the old allegiance, with great clearing of themselves, and fear and longing and zeal (
2Co 7:11). There was a period, however, of waiting for knowledge of this issue, which was to him a period of intense anxiety; he had even nervously regretted that he had written as he did (
2Co 7:5-8). Titus, who had gone as his representative to Corinth, was to return with a report of how this severe letter had been received, and when Titus failed to meet him at Troas
2Co 2:13, he had "no relief for his spirit," but pushed on eagerly to Macedonia to encounter him the sooner. Then came the answer, and the lifting of the intolerable burden from his mind. "He that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted" him (
2Co 7:6). The Corinthians had been swayed by a godly sorrow and repentance (
2Co 7:8), and the sky had cleared again with almost unhoped-for brightness. One who had offended (
2Co 2:5 and
2Co 7:12)-but whose offense is not distinctly specified-had been disciplined by the church; indeed, in the revulsion of feeling against him, and in sympathy for the apostle, he had been punished so heavily that there was a danger of passing to an extreme, and plunging him into despair (
2Co 2:7). Paul accordingly pleads for leniency and forgiveness, lest further resentment should lead only to a further and sadder wrong (2:6-11). But in addition to this offender there were others, probably following in his train, who had carried on a relentless attack against the apostle both in his person and in his doctrine. He earnestly defends himself against their contemptuous charges of fleshliness and cowardice (chapter 10), and crafty venality (
2Co 12:16,
17). Another Jesus is preached, a different spirit, a different gospel (
2Co 11:4). They "commend themselves" (
2Co 10:12), but are false apostles, deceitful workers, ministers of Satan, fashioning themselves into ministers of Christ (
2Co 11:13,
14). Their attacks are vehemently repelled in an eloquent apologia (chapters 11 and 12), and he declares that when he comes the third time they will not be spared (
2Co 13:2). Titus, accompanied by other well-known brethren, is again to be the representative of the apostle
2Co 8:6,
17 ff. At no great interval Paul himself followed, thus making his third visit (
2Co 12:14;
13:1), and so far fulfilled his original purpose that he spent the winter peacefully in Corinth (compare
Ac 20:2,
3;
Ro 15:25-27 and
1Co 16:23).