For when we were come into Macedonia,.... Whither Paul went in quest of Titus, not finding him at Troas, 2Co 2:12 and where he met with him, and had the agreeable account from him of the state of this church; but here, as elsewhere, they had their troubles:our flesh had no rest; that is, their outward man, their bodies; they were continually fatigued with preaching, disputing, fighting; what with false teachers, and violent persecutors, they had no rest in their bodies; though, in their souls, they had divine support and spiritual consolation; and it was no small addition to their joy to hear of the flourishing condition of this church:but were troubled on every side; from every quarter, by all sorts of enemies; see 2Co 4:8.
Without were fightings, within were fears; there seems to be an allusion to De 32:25.