The change in the plan to visit Corinth

In today’s passage, Paul explains why his plan to visit Corinth was changed. (1) In the original plan (let us call it Plan A), the itinerary was Ephesus to Macedonia, then to Corinth and to Jerusalem (planned) (ref. 1 Cor. 16:2-8). (2) In the revised plan (let us call it Plan B), he planned to visit Corinth twice and thereby give them a blessing twice. So, the itinerary was Ephesus to Corinth, then to Macedonia, return to Corinth, and then to Judea (confirmed). (3) However, Paul carried out neither Plan A nor Plan B. In reality, he traveled as follows. Ephesus to Corinth (this is the “sorrowful visit” mentioned in 2:1), then to Ephesus (at this time, the riot of Demetrius recorded in Acts 19:24-41 took place), then to Troas (ref. 2:12-13), and then to Macedonia (ref. 7:5. Paul is now staying here as he writes this letter). These plans were not duplicitous or insincere, as though saying both “yes” and “no” at the same time. Why can we say this? It is because the gospel of Christ that he preached was not a message that contained both “yes” and “no” at the same time. In other words, his argument is that if they look at the truthful content of his preaching, it is clear that Paul himself is a truthful person. As will become clear next time, Paul postponed his visit out of consideration for them.

In Christ, God’s promise is “yes”

Paul mentions Timothy and Silvanus (Silas) as his fellow workers (Acts 18:5). The One they proclaimed together was Christ, the Son of God. In that Christ, all the promises of God became “yes.” In other words, all the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in Christ. However, this does not mean that everything prophesied in the Old Testament was fulfilled in Christ 2,000 years ago. What this verse teaches is that both the prophecies that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future are all fulfilled in Christ. All of God’s promises will be fulfilled. Today, let us go forth trusting in the Word of God.