2 Corinthians 1:17 (LSB)

Passage

Therefore, was I vacillating when I intended to do this? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time?

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 1:15 And in this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might receive grace twice;

2 Corinthians 1:16 that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea.

2 Corinthians 1:17 Therefore, was I vacillating when I intended to do this? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time?

2 Corinthians 1:18 But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no.

2 Corinthians 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but has become yes in Him.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "purpose", "therefore", "vacillating", "intended", "flesh", "same", and "time". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "purpose" and "therefore", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "that is to pass your way into..." into verse 18's "But as God is faithful our word...", so "purpose" and "therefore" belong inside that flow. In 2 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "purpose" and "therefore" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.