1Cor 16:10-12 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 10. Now if Timotheus come . Paul had sent Timothy to them, , , but as he had many churches to visit, it was not absolutely certain that he would go to Corinth. May be with you without fear . Let him be received kindly and affectionately. Timothy was then a young man, ; . There might be some danger that he might feel himself embarrassed among the rich, the gay, and the great. Paul, therefore, asks them to encourage him, to receive him kindly, and not to embarrass him. Perhaps, also, there may be some reference to the false teachers whom Timothy might be called on to oppose. They were powerful, and they might endeavour to intimidate and alarm him. Paul, therefore, asks the church to sustain him in his efforts to defend the truth. For he worketh the work of the Lord . He is engaged in the service of the Lord; and he is worthy of your confidence, and worthy to be sustained by you. (c) "Timotheus come" (d) "worketh the work"

1 Corinthians 16:10-12

Verse 10. Now if Timotheus come. Paul had sent Timothy to them, 1Cor 4:17, 1Cor 4:18, but as he had many churches to visit, it was not absolutely certain that he would go to Corinth.

May be with you without fear. Let him be received kindly and affectionately. Timothy was then a young man, Acts 16:1-3; 1Timm 4:12. There might be some danger that he might feel himself embarrassed among the rich, the gay, and the great. Paul, therefore, asks them to encourage him, to receive him kindly, and not to embarrass him. Perhaps, also, there may be some reference to the false teachers whom Timothy might be called on to oppose. They were powerful, and they might endeavour to intimidate and alarm him. Paul, therefore, asks the church to sustain him in his efforts to defend the truth.

For he worketh the work of the Lord. He is engaged in the service of the Lord; and he is worthy of your confidence, and worthy to be sustained by you.

(c) "Timotheus come" Acts 19:22 (d) "worketh the work" Php 2:19-22 Verse 11. Let no man therefore despise him. Let no one despise him on account of his youth and inexperience. It is probable that some of the more wealthy and proud, some who valued themselves on their wisdom and experience, would be disposed to look upon him with contempt. On another occasion, he directed Timothy so to live as that no one should have occasion to despise him on account of his youth, 1Timm 4:12; and he here urges on the Corinthians, that they should not despise him because he was a young man, and comparatively inexperienced. A minister of the gospel, though young, should receive the respect that is due to his office; and if he conducts himself in accordance with his high calling, his youth should be no barrier to the confidence and affection of even aged and experienced Christians. It should be rather a reason why they should treat him with affection, and encourage him in his work.

But conduct him forth in peace. That is, when he leaves you. Attend him on his way, and help him forward on his journey to me. 1Cor 16:6.

For I look for him with the brethren. Erastus accompanied Timothy in this journey, (Acts 19:22,) and probably there were others with him. Titus also had been sent to Corinth, (2Cor 12:17,18;) and it is not improbable that Paul had desired Titus to bring with him to Ephesus some of the Corinthian brethren, as he might need their assistance there. --Grotius.

(e) "despise him" 1Timm 4:12 (f) "conduct him forth in peace" 1Timm 4:12 Verse 12. As touching our brother Apollos. Tindal renders this, "To speak of brother Apollo." In regard to Apollos, 1Cor 1:12.

His will was not at all to come at this time. It is probable that there were matters which detained him, or which required his presence in Ephesus. It is not known why Apollos had left Corinth, but it has been supposed that it was on account of the dissensions which existed there. For the same reason he might not be induced to return there while those dissensions lasted, and there might be employment which he had where he then was which rendered his presence there important. The Latin fathers say that Apollos did after this return to Corinth, when the religious differences had been settled.-- Bloomfield. It is probable that the Corinthians had requested, by the messengers who carried their letter to Paul, that either he or Apollos would come and visit them. Paul states, in reply, that he had endeavoured to prevail on Apollos to go, but had not succeeded.

He will come when he shall have convenient time. The Greek word means, when he should have leisure, or a good opportunity. He might then be engaged; or he might be unwilling to go while their contentions lasted. They had probably (1Cor 1:12) endeavoured to make him the head of a party, and on that account he might have been unwilling to return at present among them. But Paul assures them that he designed to come among them at some future time. This was said probably to show them that he still retained his affection for them, and had a tender solicitude for their peace and prosperity. Had this not been said, they might, perhaps, have inferred that he was offended, and had no desire to come among them.

(g) "Apollos, I greatly" 1Cor 1:12