Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 7:5

"For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but [we were] afflicted on every side; without [were] fightings, within [were] fears." — 2 Corinthians 7:5 (ASV)

At this point Paul resumes the account of his movements broken off at 2:13. Although he expected to meet Titus when he (Paul) arrived in Macedonia, his hopes were frustrated just as they had been at Troas (2:12–13). His body (Gk. sarx, “flesh”; GK 4922) had no rest. In 2:13 he had said that his “mind” (Gk. pneuma, “spirit”; GK 4460) had experienced no rest at Troas. If a distinction is to be drawn between the pneuma of 2:13 and the sarx of 7:5, terms often contrasted in Paul’s writing (e.g., Galatians 5:16–24), the former denotes Paul in his spiritual sensitivity; the latter, Paul in his physical suffering. But more likely the terms as used here are virtually synonymous.

“Fears within” alludes to Paul’s persistent apprehension about Titus’s reception at Corinth, his safety in travel, and the Corinthian response to the “severe letter.” “Conflicts on the outside” may point to violent quarrelling that focused on Paul or to persecution that may have happened to him in Macedonia.