{That I would not come again to you with sorrow} ( o m(880a)palin en lup(8869) pros humas elthein). Articular second aorist
active infinitive with negative m(885c) in apposition with outo
(this) preceding. What does Paul mean by "again" (palin)? Had
he paid another visit besides that described in Ac 18 which was
in sorrow (en lup(8869))? Or does he mean that having had one
joyful visit (that in Ac 18 ) he does not wish the second one to
be in sorrow? Either interpretation is possible as the Greek
stands and scholars disagree. So in 12:14 "The third time I am
ready to come" may refer to the proposed second visit ( 1:15f. )
and the present plan (a third). And so as to 13:1 . There is
absolutely no way to tell clearly whether Paul had already made a
second visit. If he had done so, it is a bit odd that he did not
plainly say so in 1:15f. when he is apologizing for not having
made the proposed visit ("a second benefit").
|