2 Corinthians 2:12,13 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Furthermore That ye may know my great concern for you; when I came to Troas After the riot excited by Demetrius. He seems to refer to that passage from Asia to Macedonia, of which a short account is given Acts 20:1-2. To preach Christ's gospel And found things there so situated; that a door was opened unto me That is, there was free liberty to speak, and many were willing to hear: yet I had no rest in my spirit From an earnest desire to know the state of your affairs, and how my letter had been received: because I found not Titus my brother In his return; whom I had sent to you to bring me the information concerning you which I wished for. Therefore, taking my leave of them Of the church at Troas. The expression here used, αποταξαμενος αυτοις, is literally, having given them commands. But because persons, who are about to leave their friends for some time, give their commands to them, the phrase is used for taking leave of, or bidding farewell to, one's friends. I went from thence into Macedonia Where being much nearer to Corinth, I might more easily be informed concerning you; and where I had the happiness soon of meeting him, and of receiving such an account of you as has given me much pleasure; and in consequence of which I write to you in this comfortable manner. Here the apostle interrupts the thread of his discourse, interposing an admirable digression concerning what he had done and suffered elsewhere, the profit of which he, by this means, derived to the Corinthians also; and this is a prelude to his apology against false apostles. He resumes the subject, however, chap. 2 Corinthians 7:2.