2 Corinthians 1: Comfort, a near death, and a changed itinerary

Second Corinthians opens by making comfort communal. God comforts Paul and his companions so that what they receive can travel outward to others, and Paul quickly gives that theology a hard edge by admitting that trouble in Asia pressed them "above strength" until they despaired of life. Resurrection trust, prayer, and thanksgiving all grow out of that pressure. The second half of the chapter turns from mortal danger to damaged credibility. A changed itinerary has been interpreted as evidence that Paul's word cannot be trusted. He answers by distinguishing a revised travel plan from a divided message: Christ is not "yea and nay," and God's promises remain "yea" and "Amen" in him. Paul finally explains that he delayed coming to spare the Corinthians, then limits his own authority with a striking qualification: he is not lord over their faith, but a helper of their joy.