Acts 19:23-20:1 | 2 Corinthians 1-4

Paul spends some time in Ephesus, but he eventually has to leave for Macedonia, as a great uproar had arisen in Ephesus when the silversmiths there became angry at the number of people who were becoming Christians, and therefore no longer worshipping the goddess Diana (Artemis).  He spent several months in Philippi, and wrote again to the Corinthians, about a year after his first letter to them.

Paul explains to the Corinthians in his second letter that even though it had been his desire to pass through their city, he had not done so because of two things - He was equally pulled towards Ephesus, and the needs of the gospel in Asia Minor, and he was reluctant to go to Corinth when there were so many spiritual problems going on, which he had previously written to correct.  However, he is also very joyous over the news he had heard from Corinth, where the man who was expelled because of sexual sin had repented, and the couple had separated.  Paul tells the Corinthians to rejoice in the man’s repentance, and to forgive him, and welcome him back into the fellowship of believers.

He then goes on to tell them about the persecutions and trials that they had been experiencing for Christ, knowing that the Lord is always faithful to take care of them, even though it seemed that they were going to be killed many times.