Passing By into Macedonia 2 Corinthians 1:16

Paul the apostle had “confidence” as he was“was minded to come unto” the church members in Corinth “before” because he desired for them to “have a second benefit”. In chapter one and verse sixteen of Second Corinthians, Paul told the the church members how he was to, “pass by you into Macedonia”, where we read:

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.

The verse begins, “And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, ...” Paul began with the words, “and to pass by” which means “to go, travel or journey through a place” “into Macedonia” which means “extended land” and was “a country bounded on the south by Thessaly and Epirus, on the east by Thrace and the Aegean Sea, on the west by Illyria, and on the North by Dardania and Moesia”, “and to come again” which means “to arise, find place and influence anew, further and moreover” “out of Macedonia” or “separated from extended land” “unto you” which means “to the church members”. Though Paul desired to visit the Corinthian church members, he passed them by to go to “Macedonia”, however, when he left there he purposed to come to them then.

The verse goes on to say, “...and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.” Paul continued with the words, “and of you” which means “and of the church members” “to be brought” which means “to send before, forward, on the way, accompany or escort” “on my way” or “on Paul's journey” “toward Judaea” which means “he shall be praised” and was “in a narrower sense, to the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea, and Idumaea.” Paul wanted the church members to accompany him on his journey to “Judaea”.

When we consider these words from Paul, we understand how important it was for him to visit the church member in Corinth. Though he was to “pass by” them on his way to “Macedonia”, he purposed to visit them afterwards. He desired for them to be with him as he made his way toward Judaea. This is the nature of those who are in the Kingdom of God, and God desires for everyone to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus that this might be possible. Being a part of the family of God helps us develop relationships in which we desire to be with one another like Paul wanted to be with the Corinthians.

Next time Paul asks the church members, “did I use lightness?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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