2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4

Paul continues to defend his reasons for not coming to visit them.

I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.

(v23, NIV)

It was for their benefit. By going to see them, he may cause them pain and he doesn't want to bring them pain. If he brings them pain, then it also pains him.

For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

(v4, NIV)

In here we can see it is also rooted in love. It may be easy to think he may be doing this for his own benefit. However, he deeply loves them and wants what is best for them. This can easily bring us back to 1 Corinthians 13. Clearly if we do not have love, we are nothing but a clanging cymbal or a resounding gong. Paul loves them and only wants what's best for them. Same thing goes for God. Paul is only acting on God's direction. God loves us and desires what is best for us.