What was Paul's travel itinerary in 2 Corinthians 1:16?
According to the passage, Paul intended to pass by Corinth, go into Macedonia, come again out of Macedonia to Corinth, and then be brought toward Judea. The itinerary described is leaving Philippi, coming down to Corinth, going up into Macedonia, returning to Corinth, and heading to Jerusalem.
Les explains that Paul first wrote this second letter rather than coming in person, because writing could accomplish more than a face-to-face meeting and avoid being over stern. Paul had been minded to come to Corinth for a second benefit, wanting to deal with the church’s problems personally. His intended route was to leave Philippi, come down to southern Greece and Corinth, visit that church, go back up to northern Greece and Macedonia to visit the churches, return to Corinth, and then head to Jerusalem. But he did not make it, and his detractors used that against him, saying he failed to come because he was afraid or for other reasons. Les reminds us to put ourselves in Paul’s shoes, since he was as human as we are.
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.