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Paul knew the importance of holiness and sincerity in word and action, especially in a situation as in Corinth, where constructive criticism was necessary. So Paul did not come with impressive human knowledge.

God wants us to be real and transparent in all our relationships.

In verses fifteen through seventeen, Paul made a quick unscheduled visit to Corinth that was very painful for him and the church. But Paul changed his original plans. Instead of sailing from Ephesus directly to Macedonia, he wrote a letter to the Corinthians that caused him so much anguish and them much sorrow. When the time came for Paul’s scheduled trip to Corinth however, the crisis was not fully resolved. So he wrote a letter instead because another visit may have only made matters worse. Thus Paul stayed away from Corinth because he was concerned for the church’s unity.

2 Corinthians 1:12-17
12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity[a] and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?