What did Paul know about the timing of his visit to Corinth?
Paul knew the time was not ripe for a personal appearance at Corinth. He deliberately delayed his visit to spare the congregation and to avoid a more stringent reproof, choosing instead to write a letter as a kinder approach. He was grieved over the problems there.
Les explains that Paul called God as a record upon his soul, saying, 'to spare you I came not as yet to Corinth.' Paul did not avoid them for frivolous reasons. He purposely did not come to Corinth so that he would not be more stringent in his reproof; a letter would be a better, kinder way. Paul knew that the time was not ripe for him to make a personal appearance among that congregation. He was grieved and brokenhearted over what was taking place at Corinth, and this was all in the back of his mind under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
More Questions
Why did Paul not make a personal appearance at Corinth?
Paul knew that the time was not ripe for him to make a personal appearance among the Corinthian congregation.
Why did Paul say he came not as yet to Corinth?
Paul did not avoid the Corinthians for frivolous reasons; he purposely did not come to Corinth so that he would not have to be more stringent in his reproof, since a letter would be a better, kinder way of doing it.
Why did Paul write a letter instead of coming to Corinth in person?
A letter was a better, kinder way for Paul to reprove the Corinthians than a personal visit.