1 Corinthians 16:5-12 - Paul's travel paln

First Corinthians 4:8 tells us that some of Paul’s critics were skeptical that he would ever come to Corinth again. But here the apostle made clear his intention to visit Corinth again. He would not have such a plan had he wanted to deceive them. His intention to visit Corinth in his next travel plan proved that he was truly a sincere apostle while he was with them. However, he would not do it immediately. So in verse 7 he said, “I do not want to see you now.” That was because he didn’t want to be there just to stop over. He wished to stay longer with them to spend the winter with them. After which, they could then send him on his journey wherever he intended to go. Not wanting to be presumptuous, he said all this would happen only if the Lord permits.

However, the apostle would start his next journey only after ministering at Ephesus, where he had been ministering for nearly three years. From his ministry in Ephesus, all of Asia had heard the gospel. In verse 8 he said he would remain in Ephesus, where he wrote this letter, until Pentecost. After Pentecost Paul would depart for Macedonia, stopping over at Corinth on his journey to Jerusalem with the collection (20:1–4).

Prior to his arrival, Paul intended to send Timothy to help them with their problems. In 1 Corinthians 4:17, we already read of Timothy being sent there to provide assistance to them. Now Paul is referring to the same incident because he anticipated this letter to reach the Corinthians before Timothy’s arrival. So 1 Corinthians 16:10 were instructions for them to receive Timothy kindly and view him as a co-worker along with Paul. He encouraged the Corinthians to help Timothy to be at ease and to give him no cause to be afraid. They were told not to look down upon him and also not to give him a hostile send-off. Paul was looking forward to have Timothy rejoining him so that he could hear from Timothy the progress in the Corinthian church. In the next letter we will see that Timothy’s report was evidently not good.

Verse 13 Paul shared concerning decision of Apollos, a member of the Corinthian church who had since moved to Ephesus. Apparently, the Corinthian Christians asked about Apollos. There could be some who wanted Apollos to return to help them in Corinth, but Apollos evidently had declined the request. Apollos must have known the situation and the people well, and felt that perhaps a better time in the future would be a more opportune time for meaningful ministry.

Paul was one who had right regards for his co-workers. Without a doubt, he had shown excellent leadership. He had shown how fellow ministers should be treated. He made sure that the people he ministered to would accord respect and cordiality to those serving the Lord with him. Paul would not allow his fellow workers to be mistreated. So must we!

These verses also tell us how we should view ministry opportunities. Paul certainly knew how to exploit the time and opportunity to serve the people. We must know that opportunity and opposition do go hand in hand. This was seen throughout Paul’s ministry. But he had learned to seize the opportunity despite the opposition. We must adopt this attitude too.