2 Corinthians 1:17

Contextual Overview

¹⁵Because I was confident of this, I planned to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. ¹⁵ Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. ¹⁵I was sure y'all would understand. That's why I planned on stopping by to bless y'all twice. ¹⁵ In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing; ¹⁵And in this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might receive grace twice; ¹⁵ And being certain of this, it was my purpose to come to you before, so that you might have a second grace; ¹⁵ And with this confidence I purposed to come to you previously, that ye might have a second favour; ¹⁵ I planned with this confidence to come to you first, so you could have a double benefit, ¹⁵ In this confidence, I was determined to come first to you, that you might have a second benefit; ¹⁵ And in this confidence I was minded to come to you before, that ye might have had a second benefit, And to pass by you into Macedonia,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

lightness: Judges 9:4, Jeremiah 23:32, Zephaniah 3:4

according: 2 Corinthians 1:12, 2 Corinthians 10:2, 2 Corinthians 10:3, John 8:15, Galatians 1:16, Galatians 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:18

yea: 2 Corinthians 1:18-20, Matthew 5:37, James 5:12

Reciprocal: Proverbs 21:28 - the man Matthew 11:7 - A reed Luke 7:24 - A reed Acts 11:23 - purpose 1 Corinthians 4:19 - I 2 Corinthians 7:5 - when 2 Corinthians 11:12 - what Galatians 1:9 - so 2 Timothy 3:10 - purpose

Cross-References

Genesis 9:13
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13
I put My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13
I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13
I do set my bowe in the cloude, and it shall be for a token betweene me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13
I am putting a rainbow in the clouds as proof of the agreement between me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13
I set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13
Y schal sette my bowe in the cloudis, and it schal be a signe of boond of pees bitwixe me and erthe;

Genesis 9:13
I doe set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a couenant, betweene me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

When I was therefore thus minded, did I use lightness?.... When I had thus determined to come to you, and had signified the same by writing, or messengers, did I use lightness in my resolutions and promises? did I act rashly, unadvisedly, and without consideration? did I promise certainly that I would come, without annexing any condition to it? did I not say, I would come to you shortly, if the Lord will? see 1 Corinthians 4:19.

Or the things that I purpose, do l purpose according to the flesh? do I consult myself? my own interest and advantage? do I seek the gratification of any carnal affection, as covetousness, ambition, or vain glory? c. what sinister end could have been obtained, if I had come as I purposed, or is answered by my not coming? or when I have purposed anything, have I resolved upon it in my own strength? have I thought it lay in my own power to effect it?

that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay? as if I could make my "yea" continue "yea", and my "nay, nay?" when all actions are weighed by God, and all events are at his dispose man appoints, and God disappoints; and who can help these things? or thus, has there appeared such contradictions in my words, and such inconstancy in my conduct, that my "yeas" are "nays", and my "nays yeas?" that I say one thing at one time, and another at another time, or both in the same breath? that I should say one thing, and mean another, on purpose to deceive, and change my mind and conduct without any reason?

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

When I therefore was thus minded - When I formed this purpose; when I willed this, and expressed this intention.

Did I use lightness? - The word ἐλαφρια elaphria (from ἐλαφρός elaphros) means properly lightness in weight. Here it is used in reference to the mind; and in a sense similar to our word levity, as denoting lightness of temper or conduct; inconstancy, changeableness, or fickleness. This charge had been probably made that he had made the promise without any due consideration, or without any real purpose of performing, it; or that he had made it in a trifling and thoughtless manner. By the interrogative form here, he sharply denies that it was a purpose formed in a light and trifling manner.

Do I purpose according to the flesh - In such a manner, as may suit my own convenience and carnal interest. Do I form plans adapted only to promote my own ease and gratification, and to be abandoned when they are attended with inconvenience? The phrase “according to the flesh” here seems to mean “in such a way as to promote my own ease and gratification; in a manner such as the people of the world form; such as would be formed under the influence of earthly passions and desires, and to be forsaken when those plans would interfere with such gratifications.” Paul denies in a positive manner that he formed such plans; and they should have known enough of his manner of life to be assured that that was not the nature of the schemes which he had devised? Probably no man ever lived who formed his plans of life less for the gratification of the flesh than Paul.

That with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay? - There has been a great variety in the interpretation of this passage; see Bloomfield, Critical Digest in loco. The meaning seems to be, “that there should be such inconstancy and uncertainty in my counsels and actions, that no one could depend on me, or know what they had to expect from me.” Bloomfield supposes that the phrase is a proverbial one, and denotes a headstrong, self-willed spirit which will either do things, or not do them as pleases, without giving any reasons. He supposes that the repetition of the words “yea and nay” is designed to denote positiveness of assertion - such positiveness as is commonly shown by such persons, as in the phrases, “what I have written I have written,” “what I have done I have done.” It seems more probable, however, that the phrase is designed to denote the ready compliance which an inconstant and unsettled man is accustomed to make with the wishes of others; his expressing a ready assent to what they propose; falling in with their views; readily making promises; and instantly, through some whim, or caprice, or wish of others, saying “yea, nay,” to the same thing; that is, changing his mind, and altering his purpose without any good reason, or in accordance with any fixed principle or settled rule of action. Paul says that this was not his character. He did not affirm a thing at one time and deny it at another; he did not promise to do a thing one moment and refuse to do it the next.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 17. Did I use lightness? — When I formed this purpose, was it without due consideration? and did I abandon it through fickleness of mind?

That with me there should be yea, &c.] That I should act as carnal men, who change their purposes, and falsify their engagements, according as may seem best to their secular interest?