1 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 16.
Concluding Admonitions. 1 Corinthians 16, 1–24.
Paul's proposed visit to Corinth:V. 8. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. V. 9. For a great door, and effectual, is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. V. 10. Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. V. 11. Let no man, therefore, despise him; but conduct him forth in peace that he may come unto me; for I look for him with the brethren. V. 12. As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren; but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
Paul frankly tells the Corinthians why he does not start on his proposed journey at once: But I will tarry, stay on, in Ephesus until Pentecost. At the time when he wrote this letter, it may have been near Easter.
He felt that he must remain in Asia for a matter of some two months: For a door is opened to me, great and effectual, and many adversaries there are. The Lord had opened a great door to the Gospel, the Lord had made many hearts willing to listen to the great truths of salvation; and this wide open door promised much, the influence of the Gospel was spreading. Incidentally, however, there were many enemies. Acts 19, as the tumult soon after showed, which made the most earnest application on the part of the apostle necessary. And as a faithful shepherd he would not desert his post at the time of danger, when his presence was most urgently needed.
The apostle adds a few words, at this point, with regard to Timothy and Apollos. As he, upon another occasion, admonished his young helper not to permit anyone to despise his youth, 1 Tim. 4, 12, so he here warns the congregation not to think lightly of Timothy on account of his youth. Timothy and Erastus were sent on a mission to Macedonia, or they may have been bearers of this letter, Acts 19. 21. 22.
Upon his arrival, therefore, the Corinthians should see to it that Timothy might be with them without fear, that he could attend to the work of his calling among them without the depression caused by supercilious treatment on the part of the congregation. For, as Paul says, he was working the work of the Lord, he was engaged in carrying forward the ministry of the Gospel as was the apostle himself.
No one, then, should set him at naught, pretending to say that he did not possess full authority from God to do the work of an evangelist. They should rather, after he has performed the work entrusted to him, send him forward in peace, dismiss him peacefully, without annoyance, with kindly affection. They should remember that Paul was waiting for Timothy and the brethren that were with him, expecting their return to Ephesus before he left there.
As for Apollos, who had labored in Corinth with such signal success, Paul had urged him most earnestly to make the journey to Corinth with the brethren; he had had no reluctance about seeing him go, but had perfect confidence in him.
Apollos, however, who at that time must have been in Ephesus, would not be persuaded; it was altogether contrary to his will that he should come now. But his intention was to come as soon as there was a good opportunity. With the situation in Corinth such as it was, he may not have felt much like becoming involved in the difficulties, or other circumstances or engagements were holding him back.