| Geneva Study Bible And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a {o} second benefit; (o) Another benefit. People's New Testament 1:15 In this confidence. Of their acknowledgment of his apostleship and rejoicing in him. I was minded to come unto you before. Before going to Macedonia, sailing straight across from Ephesus to Corinth. That ye might have a second benefit. Two visits, one as Paul went to Macedonia, and one on his return. All this is explained in 2Co 1:16. Wesley's Notes 1:15 In this confidence - That is, being confident of this. King James Translators' Notes benefit: or, grace Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 15. in this confidence-of my character for sincerity being "acknowledged" by you (2Co 1:12-14). was minded-I was intending. before-"to come unto you before" visiting Macedonia (where he now was). Compare Note, see on [2302]1Co 16:5; also see on [2303]1Co 4:18, which, combined with the words here, implies that the insinuation of some at Corinth, that he would not come at all, rested on the fact of his having thus disappointed them. His change of intention, and ultimate resolution of going through Macedonia first, took place before his sending Timothy from Ephesus into Macedonia, and therefore (1Co 4:17) before his writing the first Epistle. Compare Ac 19:21, 22 (the order there is "Macedonia and Achaia," not Achaia, Macedonia); Ac 20:1, 2. that ye might have a second benefit-one in going to, the other in returning from, Macedonia. The "benefit" of his visits consisted in the grace and spiritual gifts which he was the means of imparting (Ro 1:11, 12). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:15-24 The apostle clears himself from the charge of levity and inconstancy, in not coming to Corinth. Good men should be careful to keep the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve, but on careful thought; and they will not change unless for weighty reasons. Nothing can render God's promises more certain: his giving them through Christ, assures us they are his promises; as the wonders God wrought in the life, resurrection, and ascension of his Son, confirm faith. The Holy Spirit makes Christians firm in the faith of the gospel: the quickening of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life; and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. The apostle desired to spare the blame he feared would be unavoidable, if he had gone to Corinth before he learned what effect his former letter produced. Our strength and ability are owing to faith; and our comfort and joy must flow from faith. The holy tempers and gracious fruits which attend faith, secure from delusion in so important a matter. | 
