2 Corinthians 1:16 kjv

And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

2 Corinthians 1:16 nkjv

to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.

2 Corinthians 1:16 niv

I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea.

2 Corinthians 1:16 esv

I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.

2 Corinthians 1:16 nlt

first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.

2 Corinthians 1 verses

2 Corinthians 1 16 Meaning

2 Corinthians 1:16 explains the apostle Paul's specific intention for his second proposed visit to the Corinthian believers. His plan was to travel through Corinth on his way to Macedonia, then return from Macedonia back to Corinth before being assisted by them in his journey to Judea. This reveals Paul’s itinerary, his reliance on the Corinthians’ hospitality and financial support for his missionary endeavors, and sets the stage for addressing the accusations of wavering or inconsistency in his travel plans, which he begins to address in the subsequent verses.

2 Corinthians 1 16 Context

The first chapter of 2 Corinthians is dominated by Paul's defense of his apostolic integrity and his explanation for a change in his travel plans. Prior to this letter, Paul had promised to visit Corinth but was unable to do so as planned (implied from 1 Cor 16:5-7). The specific plan mentioned in verse 16 was to pass through Corinth on the way to Macedonia, then return to Corinth, and finally proceed to Judea. This arrangement would have offered them "a double blessing" (2 Cor 1:15). However, Paul had changed this itinerary, causing some within the Corinthian church to question his trustworthiness and even his sincerity, accusing him of being fickle (2 Cor 1:17). In this verse, Paul articulates the specific details of the itinerary they expected, laying the groundwork for his extensive justification that follows, which centers on God’s faithfulness, the unchanging nature of Christ’s message, and the Holy Spirit’s seal on their ministry. The historical context reflects the common challenges of travel and communication in the ancient world, where plans were subject to change due to various circumstances, but also the sensitivity of interpersonal relationships, especially between an apostle and a sometimes-rebellious congregation.

2 Corinthians 1 16 Word analysis

• and to pass (καὶ διελθεῖν - kai dielthein):
  • καὶ (kai): "and," simply connects this specific itinerary detail to Paul's overall desired plan mentioned in the preceding verse.
  • διελθεῖν (dielthein): Aorist infinitive of dierchomai, meaning "to go through," "to pass through," "to traverse." It implies a passage through a place, suggesting it was part of a larger journey rather than a prolonged stay at that point. Significance: Paul didn't just want to "go to" Corinth but "through" it, indicating it was a strategic stop on his way to another region (Macedonia), which would lead to his planned return visit. This emphasizes his broader apostolic mission.
• by you (δι᾽ ὑμῶν - di' hymōn):
  • δι᾽ (di'): "through," here used with the genitive case (implied in ὑμῶν) to indicate agency or means, similar to "by means of" or "through the instrumentality of."
  • ὑμῶν (hymōn): "you" (plural, referring to the Corinthian believers). Significance: It implies not just physical passage but their active involvement, likely hospitality, provision, or assistance, making their location a point of logistical importance for his journey. It hints at the shared partnership in the gospel.
• into Macedonia (εἰς Μακεδονίαν - eis Makedonian):
  • εἰς (eis): "into," indicating direction towards or entrance into a place.
  • Μακεδονίαν (Makedonian): "Macedonia," a Roman province north of Greece. Significance: Identifies his primary destination at that point, which was part of his wider missionary circuit and also a region where he had established churches (Philippi, Thessalonica). This specific detail reinforces the practicality of his apostolic movements.
• and again (καὶ πάλιν - kai palin):
  • καὶ (kai): "and."
  • πάλιν (palin): "again," "back again." Significance: Clearly indicates a return trip to Corinth after his ministry in Macedonia. This 'double blessing' (v.15) was crucial for the Corinthians as it promised a prolonged presence with their beloved apostle, providing further instruction and fellowship, making his subsequent failure to arrive particularly upsetting for them.
• from Macedonia (ἀπὸ Μακεδονίας - apo Makedonias):
  • ἀπὸ (apo): "from," indicating separation from a place.
  • Μακεδονίας (Makedonias): "Macedonia." Significance: Confirms the sequential nature of his travel plan, reinforcing the second leg of his desired itinerary.
• to come to you (ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς - elthein pros hymas):
  • ἐλθεῖν (elthein): Aorist infinitive of erchomai, "to come," "to go."
  • πρὸς (pros): "to," "towards," indicating direction towards.
  • ὑμᾶς (hymas): "you" (plural). Significance: Emphasizes the destination of his return journey being specifically Corinth, underlining the promised "second grace" or blessing (v.15).
• and to be helped on my way (καὶ ὑφ᾽ ὑμῶν προπεμφθῆναι - kai hyph' hymōn propemphthēnai):
  • καὶ (kai): "and."
  • ὑφ᾽ ὑμῶν (hyph' hymōn): "by you," indicates the agent by whom he would be "helped on his way." It literally means "under you" but idiomatically implies being supported by them. Significance: Reaffirms the agency of the Corinthians in his journey, expecting their active assistance.
  • προπεμφθῆναι (propemphthēnai): Aorist passive infinitive of propempō, meaning "to send forth," "to accompany on a journey," "to provide with what is needed for a journey," "to speed on one's way." Being in the passive voice ("to be sent on my way") emphasizes that they would perform this action for him. Significance: This term is crucial. It signifies the practical support early churches gave missionaries – provisions, financial aid, or even travel companionship. It points to the partnership between an apostle and a local church, highlighting a standard practice of the time (e.g., Rom 15:24, 1 Cor 16:6, Titus 3:13). It underscores their expected financial and logistical contribution to his journey to Judea.
• into Judea (εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν - eis tēn Ioudaian):
  • εἰς (eis): "into," indicating direction.
  • τὴν Ἰουδαίαν (tēn Ioudaian): "Judea," the region where Jerusalem was located. Significance: The ultimate destination for this leg of the journey was Judea, where Paul intended to deliver the collection for the saints (1 Cor 16:1-4, Rom 15:25-26). This connects his travel plans directly to a major act of Christian charity and unity.

• and to pass by you into Macedonia (καὶ δι᾽ ὑμῶν διελθεῖν εἰς Μακεδονίαν): This phrase describes the initial leg of Paul’s planned "double blessing." He intended to make Corinth a thoroughfare or waypoint for his first stop in Macedonia, showing his strategic consideration for effective gospel proclamation across different regions. It reflects the network of travel and evangelism in the early church, where churches served as bases for apostles.
• and again from Macedonia to come to you (καὶ πάλιν ἀπὸ Μακεδονίας ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς): This second part highlights Paul's commitment to the Corinthians, promising a return visit to them after his work in Macedonia. This implies a longer, dedicated stay, crucial for teaching, encouraging, and correcting the community. This specific aspect of the plan, a direct return, is what caused significant offense when it did not materialize.
• and to be helped on my way by you into Judea (καὶ ὑφ᾽ ὑμῶν προπεμφθῆναι εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν): This reveals the crucial role the Corinthian church was expected to play in Paul’s continued mission. "To be helped on my way" (προπεμφθῆναι) implies both financial and practical assistance for his journey. It illustrates the symbiotic relationship between apostle and congregation, where the church provides material support, and the apostle offers spiritual blessings and guidance. This assistance was specifically for the collection he was taking to Jerusalem for the needy saints, linking their generosity directly to a larger gospel cause.

2 Corinthians 1 16 Bonus section

The practice of "sending on the way" (προπέμπω) reveals the practical theology of partnership in the early church. It was not merely an act of hospitality but a recognized form of financial and spiritual support for those engaged in mission and ministry. The support given by local churches allowed apostles like Paul to focus on their ministry without being bogged down by constant concerns for provision. This dynamic illustrates the interdependent nature of the body of Christ, where diverse members contribute uniquely to the furtherance of the gospel. When Paul uses this term, he is appealing to a widely understood reciprocal obligation: those who receive spiritual blessings should share their material resources (Rom 15:27, 1 Cor 9:11). The detailed travel plans mentioned by Paul also highlight the complex logistical challenges of ancient travel. Changes in these plans, as seen in this chapter, were often unavoidable due to dangers, financial constraints, or even shifts in spiritual leading, rather than indicating character flaw. Paul's commitment to reaching Judea with the collection for the saints was a deep-seated mission, further tying his travel plans to acts of charity and unity within the broader Christian community.

2 Corinthians 1 16 Commentary

Verse 16 articulates the detailed travel itinerary Paul had promised the Corinthians, which was part of his "double blessing" visit. He planned to travel through Corinth to Macedonia, demonstrating that Corinth was an important transit point in his broader missionary strategy. Crucially, he also planned to return to Corinth from Macedonia for a dedicated time with them, fulfilling his promise of extensive interaction. Finally, he expected the Corinthians to "help him on his way" (προπεμφθῆναι) to Judea, signifying practical support like provisions, finances, or escort. This practice was common for supporting missionaries in the early church, emphasizing the shared partnership in the gospel ministry. This verse, therefore, lays out the concrete plan that was later altered, triggering the accusations of inconsistency which Paul directly addresses in the subsequent verses by affirming God's unwavering faithfulness. The verse underscores that apostolic ministry, though Spirit-led, also relied on human logistics, hospitality, and communal support, turning financial or travel aid into an act of spiritual fellowship.