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| A MYSTERIOUS VISIT |
| Paul's break with the Corinthians. |
| So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2:1 |
| Those who try to piece together Paul's life story from fragments in the two Corinthian letters and the book of Acts usually come away puzzled. Paul, addressing friends who knew that history intimately, saw no need to review every state of their relationship. Yet for us, reading centuries later, some chronology would help explain his allusions and his emotional state. Many scholars believe two events occurred to which Paul refers only in passing: "the painful visit" and "the painful letter." A Change in Plans In the first two chapters Paul explains a change of plans whereby he decided not to visit Corinth because he didn't want to make "another painful visit" (2:1). What visit was he referring to ? During his first visit to Corinth, spanning 18 months, the church took shape (Acts 18:11). Paul probably would not have described that time as a "painful visit". Evidently he made a second visit to Corinth, not recorded in Acts, that included a painful confrontation. Paul planned a third visit to Corinth, but postponed it because he didn't want to stir up the conflict. Later, he wondered about rescheduling that third visit (12:14; 13:1). The Longed-for Reconciliation Second Corinthians also mentions a letter written out of great distress and with many tears (2:4; 7:8). This letter, coming after Paul's unsettling second visit, contained such strong wording that he feared the Corinthians' response. He fleetingly regretting having written the letter. Had it ruptured their relationship? While he preached in the seaport town of |