Note 1 at 2 Cor. 2:1: Paul's apostleship and personal character had been assaulted by the Corinthians. That was one of the major reasons for Paul writing what we call the first letter to the Corinthians (see Introduction to the Book of Second Corinthians-Overview, p. 856). In the first chapter of this second letter, Paul began to defend his failure to appear in Corinth as promised, lest his critics also use this against him (see notes 9 & 11 at 2 Cor. 1:17, 18, p. 980). He now reveals why he hadn't come to Corinth yet.

He had delayed his return trip because he didn't want a negative relationship with the Corinthians. He had dealt harshly with them in his previous letter and he didn't want to return until all the problems were solved. As he said in chapter 1, verse 23, "...to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth." Paul wanted to resolve the differences through this letter so that when he did arrive in Corinth, it would be a joyous occasion.