Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,

²² And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be^(A) restored to you in answer to your prayers.^(B)

³⁴ Anyone who is hungry^(A) should eat something at home,^(B) so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come^(C) I will give further directions.

¹⁴ I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.^(A)

¹² I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face,^(A) so that our joy may be complete.^(B)

²³ I want you to know that our brother Timothy^(A) has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

¹³ Until I come,^(A) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,^(B) to preaching and to teaching.

¹⁸ For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan^(A) blocked our way.^(B)

¹⁵ Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you^(A) first so that you might benefit twice.^{(B) 16} I wanted to visit you on my way^(C) to Macedonia^(D) and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way^(E) to Judea.^{(F) 17} Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner^(G) so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

Personal Requests

⁵ After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you^(A)—for I will be going through Macedonia.^{(B) 6} Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey,^(C) wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.^(D)