5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
In this section, Paul resumed his travel itinerary from 2 Corinthians 2:12-13. Beginning at 2 Corinthians 2:14 through 7:4, the apostle went on a long discourse about his team’s ministry. Now he picked up where he had left off. Paul had left Corinth about four years earlier; now he made his way back to Greece, to Macedonia. After having no rest about the Corinthians, he received a wonderfully positive report about the church responding well to a letter he sent chastising them for their waywardness.
5 For indeed,
These two words hark back to 2 Corinthians 2:12, 13. The team had no rest in spirit while in Macedonia.
when we came to Macedonia,
Macedonia is located north of Corinth, which was in Achaia, Greece. Paul and Titus decided to meet in Troas (northern port of Asia Minor), but when Titus did not show up, Paul crossed the Aegean Sea to Macedonia, probably Philippi.
our bodies had no rest,
Paul was physically exhausted (2 Co 2:13; 8:13). When the body grows weary, the spirt has more difficulty in recovering. While Paul was in Macedonia, where he waited for the report from Titus, he had no rest.
but we were troubled on every side.
The apostle had many trials from the Corinthian church. “Troubled” means affliction, harassment. This word occurs nine times in 2 Corinthians. Every reference has Paul’s team in view.
Outside were conflicts, inside were fears [anxiety].
“Outside” they faced many adversities from non-Christians. “Inside” they had to deal with believers accusing them of things of which they were not guilty. False teachers had some influence on them (2 Co 11:26). All this happened while Paul awaited the report from Titus.
PRINCIPLE:
Every Christian meets adversity.
APPLICATION:
It is by divine design that every Christian endures adversity. It should be no surprise that a believer encounters trial (1 Pe 4:11-12).
