5 But I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia, for I am passing through Macedonia.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
When I shall pass through Macedonia The common opinion is, that this espistle was sent from Philippi. Persons coming thence to Corinth by land, required to pass through Macedonia; for that colony is situated in the farthest extremity, towards the Emathian mountains. Paul, it is true, might, instead of going by land, have gone thither by sea, but he was desirous to visit the Macedonian Churches, that he might confirm them in passing. So much for the common opinion. To me, however, it appears more probable, that the epistle was written at Ephesus; for he says a little afterwards, that he will remain there until Pentecost, (1-Corinthians 16:8) [1]; and he salutes the Corinthians, not in the name of the Philippians, but of the Asiatics. (1-Corinthians 16:19.) [2] Besides, in the second epistle he explicitly states, that, after he had sent away this epistle, he passed over into Macedonia. (2-Corinthians 2:13.) Now after passing through Macedonia, he would be at a distance from Ephesus, and in the neighborhood of Achaia. Hence I have no doubt that he was at Ephesus at that time: thence he could sail by a straight course to Achaia. For visiting Macedonia, a long circuit was needed, and a more disagreeable route. Accordingly he lets them know that he will not come to them by a direct course, as he required to go through Macedonia To the Corinthians, however, he promises something farther -- that he would make a longer stay with them By this he shows his affection towards them. For what reason had he for delay, except that he was concerned as to their welfare? On the other hand, he lets them know how fully assured he is of their affection towards him in return, by taking it, as it were, for granted that he would be conducted forward by them in the way of kindness; for he says this from confidence in their friendship. [3] After saying everything, however, he subjoins this limitation -- if the Lord permit With this reservation, saints ought to follow up all their plans and deliberations; for it is an instance of great rashness to undertake and determine many things for the future, while we have not even a moment in our power. The main thing indeed is, that, in the inward affection of the mind, we submit to God and his providence, whatever we resolve upon; [4] but at the same time, it is becoming that we should accustom ourselves to such forms of expression, that whenever we have to do with what is future we may make everything depend on the divine will. [5]
1 - "St. Paul was now at Ephesus; for almost all allow, in opposition to the subscription at the end of this epistle, that states it to have been written from Philippi, that it was written from Ephesus; and this is supported by many strong arguments; and the 8th verse here seems to put it past all question: I will tarry at Ephesus; i.e., I am in Ephesus, and here I purpose to remain until Pentecost." -- Dr. Adam Clarke.nEd.
2 - "The Churches of Asia salute you, i.e., the Churches in Asia Minor. Ephesus was in this Asia, and it is clear from this that the Apostle was not at Philippi. Had he been at Philippi, as the subscription states, he would have said, The Churches of Macedonia, not the Churches of Asia, salute you." -- Dr. Adam Clarke. -- Ed.
3 - "Ils le conduiront par tout ou il ira;" -- "They will conduct him forward wherever he may go."
4 - "Tout ce que nous entreprenons et consultons;" -- "Everything that we undertake and resolve upon."
5 - "De remettre a la volonte de Dieu tout ce que nous entreprendrons pour le temps aduenir;" -- "So as to give up to the will of God everything that we shall undertake for the time to come.
Now I will come unto you - I purpose to come unto you. He had expected to see them on his way to Macedonia, but, on some account, had been induced to abandon that design. See the notes at 2-Corinthians 1:15-17.
When I shall pass through Macedonia - When I shall have passed through Macedonia. He proposed to go to Macedonia first, and, having passed through that country, visiting the churches, to go to Corinth. For the situation of Macedonia, see the notes at Acts 16:9.
For I do pass through Macedonia - I design to do it. It is my present intention. Though he had abandoned, from some cause, the design of passing through Corinth on his way to Macedonia, yet he had not given up the design itself. It was still his intention to go there.
I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia - St. Paul was now at Ephesus; for almost all allow, in opposition to the subscription at the end of this epistle that states it to have been written from Philippi, that it was written from Ephesus: and this is supported by many strong arguments; and the 8th verse here seems to put it past all question: I will tarry at Ephesus; i.e. I am in Ephesus, and here I purpose to remain until pentecost. Though Macedonia was not in the direct way from Ephesus to Corinth, yet the apostle intended to make it in his way. And it was because it was not in the direct road, but lay at the upper end of the Aegean Sea, and very far out of his direct line, that he says, I do pass through Macedonia - I have purposed to go thither before I go to Corinth.
Now I will come unto you,.... Which he again assures them of, as being his real intention and design; though some had given out that he would not come to them any more, and hoped they should never see him any more; see 1-Corinthians 4:18.
When I shall pass through Macedonia; hereby fixing the time when he intended to visit them after he had gone through that country, and had received their collections for the saints at Jerusalem, which the churches there so generously made, and pressed him to the ministering of, of which he speaks in his next epistle.
For I do pass through Macedonia; not that he was then passing through Macedonia, or was in it, and so at Philippi, from whence this epistle is said to be written, as the subscription at the end of it expresses, for he was now at Ephesus; see 1-Corinthians 16:8 and from thence was this epistle written; he was not in Macedonia till some time after, see 2-Corinthians 2:12 but the sense is, that he should take his tour through Macedonia; and so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "for I shall pass through Macedonia"; and so coming into Greece, he intended to come to Corinth, and stay some time with them.
His first intention had been (2-Corinthians 1:15-16) to pass through them (Corinth) to Macedonia, and again return to them from Macedonia, and so to Judea; this he had announced in the lost epistle (1-Corinthians 5:9); now having laid aside this intention (for which he was charged with levity, 2-Corinthians 1:17, &c., whereas it was through lenity, 2-Corinthians 1:23; 2-Corinthians 2:1), he announces his second plan of "not seeing them now by the way," but "passing through Macedonia" first on his way to them, and then "tarrying a while," and even "abiding and wintering with them."
for I do pass--as much as to say, "This is what I at last resolve upon" (not as the erroneous subscription of the Epistle represents it, as if he was THEN at Philippi, on his way through Macedonia); implying that there had been some previous communication upon the subject of the journey, and also that there had been some indecisiveness in the apostle's plan [PALEY]. In accordance with his second plan, we find him in Macedonia when Second Corinthians was written (2-Corinthians 2:13; 2-Corinthians 8:1; 2-Corinthians 9:2, 2-Corinthians 9:4), and on his way to Corinth (2-Corinthians 12:14; 2-Corinthians 13:1; compare Acts 20:1-2). "Pass through" is opposed to "abide" (1-Corinthians 16:6). He was not yet in Macedonia (as 1-Corinthians 16:8 shows), but at Ephesus; but he was thinking of passing through it (not abiding as he purposed to do at Corinth).
I will come unto you, etc. He outlines his plans. He probably wrote in the spring. He intends to visit the churches in Macedonia, and then, perhaps, winter at Corinth. This he did, spending three months (Acts 20:2-3).
That ye may set me forward on my journey. Give him aid, and perhaps company in going elsewhere.
For I will not now see you by the way. He will not sail direct across the Ãgean Sea to Corinth, and go from thence to Macedonia. He would have to hurry away from Corinth too soon, unless he went to Macedonia first.
I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. He was then writing before Pentecost, which came in the latter part of the spring.
For a great and effectual door is opened. His ministry in Ephesus was very successful. See Acts, chapter 19.
There are many adversaries. Demetrius and his fellow-craftsmen had probably begun their agitation.
I pass through Macedonia - I purpose going that way.
*More commentary available at chapter level.