What did Paul mean when he said he wanted the Corinthians to have a second benefit?
Paul meant he wanted to visit Corinth personally and deal with the church's problems face to face, so they would receive a second benefit. He intended to pass through Macedonia and return to Corinth, but he did not make that trip.
Les explains that Paul wrote this second letter instead of coming in a personal effort, because it is often easier to write our thoughts than to approach someone face to face, especially when hard feelings are involved. Paul felt he could do more by writing than by going and possibly becoming over stern. Yet in this confidence he was minded to come to Corinth before, so they might have a second benefit—meaning he wanted to deal with their problems personally. His itinerary was to leave Philippi, come to Corinth, go up into Macedonia, return to Corinth, and then head toward Judea; but he didn't make it. His detractors used that against him, accusing him of not coming because he was afraid, and he had to deal with that. Les reminds us to put ourselves in Paul's shoes, because he was just as human as we are.
And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;