Why did Paul want to come to Corinth before going to Macedonia?
Paul wanted to come to Corinth first so he could deal with the church’s problems personally and give them a second benefit. He intended to pass by them into Macedonia, then return to Corinth, and afterward head toward Judea, but he did not make that planned trip.
Les explains that Paul wanted to come to Corinth before Macedonia because he desired to deal with their problems personally and give them a second benefit. His planned route was to leave Philippi, come down to southern Greece and Corinth, visit the church, go back north into Macedonia to visit the churches, then return to Corinth and head toward Judea. Les notes that Paul did not make that trip, and his detractors accused him of not coming for various reasons. Les also suggests Paul may have felt he could accomplish more by writing than by meeting them personally and becoming over stern.
And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;