Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Corinthians 1:15-24

"And in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you, that ye might have a second benefit; and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come unto you, and of you to be set forward on my journey unto Judaea. When I therefore was thus minded, did I show fickleness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the yea yea and the nay nay? But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, [even] by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea. For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us. Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; who also sealed us, and gave [us] the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come unto Corinth. Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast." — 2 Corinthians 1:15-24 (ASV)

The apostle clears himself from the charge of frivolity and inconsistency in not coming to Corinth. Good men should be careful to maintain a reputation for sincerity and constancy; they should not make resolutions without careful thought, and they will not change them unless for weighty reasons. Nothing can make God's promises more certain: his giving them through Christ assures us that they are his promises, just as the wonders God performed in the life, resurrection, and ascension of his Son confirm faith.

The Holy Spirit makes Christians firm in the faith of the gospel: the quickening of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life, and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. The apostle desired to spare them the reproof he feared would be unavoidable, if he had gone to Corinth before he learned what effect his former letter had produced.

Our strength and ability are due to faith, and our comfort and joy must flow from faith. The holy dispositions and gracious fruits that accompany faith secure from delusion in so important a matter.