1. Autobiographical notices (1:8-2:13)

At the outset, as he often does, Paul narrates certain events from his own experience that serve as a background for the major concerns of the letter (cf. Ro 1:13-15; Gal 1:11-2:21; Php 1:12-26; 1Th 2:1-12). Whatever the introductory formula, these autobiographical notices remind his readers of events with which they are familiar. Such reminders, used illustratively in support of other points, generally offer insufficient detail to reconstruct historically the precise events they report.

Paul’s first notice refers to his deliverance by God from hardships experienced in the province of Asia Minor. We cannot tell whether this hardship involved physical illness, unjust persecution, imprisonment, the threat of death, misunderstanding, anguish concerning the failure of his work in Corinth, or anxiety over his inability to find Titus as previously arranged. This “affliction” (nrsv) was probably not actually life-threatening, despite the arguments of most interpreters. It was more likely psychological distress that led him to despair of life (see 1:8, 9), for Paul implies that God delivered him from despair, not by releasing him from prison, but by teaching him to rely on the God who raises the dead (1:9). Deliverance came when Paul accepted his mortality, acknowledged his humanity, and quit rebelling against the idea that he too would die.

Paul had previously announced that he would not stop in Corinth on his way from Ephesus to Macedonia, but only on his return journey to his next destination (1Co 16:5-9). Subsequently he changed his mind and decided to favor them with a visit on both legs of his journey before going on to Judea (2Co 1:15-16). The unannounced visit to Corinth was so unpleasant that Paul again changed his plans. He did not stop in Corinth after leaving Macedonia, nor did he go on to Judea. Instead, he proceeded (apparently) to Ephesus, from where he wrote the Corinthians an anguished letter rather than paying them another painful visit (1:23-2:4). In 2:12-13 Paul mentions yet another instance in which he changed his travel plans.

Paul’s rehearsal of his itinerary is not intended simply to satisfy the Corinthians', or our, curiosity. It is motivated by a concern that they understand his behavior (1:12-14) as neither arbitrary nor fickle. On the contrary, he behaves in a manner consistent with the character of God’s redemptive activity in Christ (vv.15-22) and determined by love for them and their best interests (1:23-2:4). Further, Paul urges them to pursue a redemptive course of action in dealing with the one responsible for their mutual pain during his unfortunate, surprise visit (2:5-11).

In 2:5-11 Paul refers to a person largely responsible for the pain of his second visit, but he does not name him or identify his offense. Paul insists that actually it was they, not he, who were injured by the wrongdoer (2:5; see 1Co 5:2, 5-6). Many interpreters assume that this is simply rhetoric; Paul was, in fact, personally attacked and only reinterprets the circumstances as a source of grief for them. But perhaps Paul means what he says and implies only that his failed visit should not be construed as further discipline.

Paul’s explanation of the intention of his anguished letter—as a test of their obedience (2:9; see vv.3-4)—probably implies that in it he had ordered the punishment of the wrongdoer. Now he insists that their discipline of the man has been sufficient, having accomplished its redemptive purpose of bringing him to his senses (v.6), and he urges them to forgive and comfort the man with their love (vv.7-8). Paul assures them that if he has suffered any wrong needing forgiveness, he has forgiven it for their sakes (v.10). Further discipline of the man would serve Satan’s, not God’s purposes (v.11). Paul’s insight into the necessity and limits of remedial discipline within the Christian community might well serve the contemporary church, too prone to forget one or the other.

It is not immediately obvious why Paul describes the trauma he experienced when he failed to find Titus in Troas. He presumes upon the Corinthians' awareness of events that do not become clear to us until he refers to them again in 7:5-16. There we learn that Titus was Paul’s representative in delivering the anguished letter. Apparently, after his return from Corinth, Paul had arranged to meet Titus in Troas. In this port city of Asia Minor they planned to evangelize. Although Paul’s preaching was favorably received there, his anxious concern for Titus so distracted him that he again changed his plans and departed for Macedonia in search of his colleague.