ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 16 v10 - 18

OVERVIEW:

Paul commended Timothy to the Corinthians (AMBROSIASTER, CHRYSOSTOM). Due to continuing divisions in Corinth (DIDYMUS THE BLIND, AMBROSIASTER), the time was not yet right for Apollos to visit them (CHRYSOSTOM). Meanwhile they were encouraged to stand firm (AMBROSIASTER) and be strong (DIDYMUS THE BLIND) and to do all they do in love (AMBROSIASTER). If love had been present throughout, the Corinthians would not have been divided into factions or have thrown each other into law courts (CHRYSOSTOM). They are urged to follow the generous pattern of the household of Stephanas (AMBROSIASTER, CHRYSOSTOM, PELAGIUS).

16:10 | Doing the Work of the Lord

WHEN TIMOTHY COMES. AMBROSIASTER: Although Timothy was preaching what he had learned from Paul and was a gifted evangelist, the apostle commends him since he did not have the same authority. Paul was afraid that Timothy might not be received as he deserved by dissidents in the church, that they would create a fuss, that Timothy would be afraid and that his coming would do nothing for their salvation. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

PUT HIM AT EASE. CHRYSOSTOM: It might be thought that this is some criticism of Timothy’s self-confidence, but Paul says this for the sake of the Corinthians, because if they turn against him they will only hurt themselves. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 44.1.

16:11 | Send Him on His Way in Peace

TREATED WITH HONOR. AMBROSIASTER: Paul mentions Timothy’s great merit in order to teach them not only that he should be treated with honor in their company but that once he had made preparations to leave he should be sent on his way with deference, because he was an apostle of the Lord. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

16:12 | A Visit from Apollos

NOT HIS WILL TO COME NOW. DIDYMUS THE BLIND: Apollos was the bishop of Corinth, but he had left the church on account of its divisions and gone to be with Paul. He would not go back with the letter, because he did not want to return until the divisions were healed. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

APOLLOS WILL COME LATER. AMBROSIASTER: Paul is hinting that Apollos did not want to go to Corinth because the church there was divided, in the hope that when they heard this they would be eager to make peace. Apollos would come when the church reached agreement. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THE TIME NOT YET RIGHT. CHRYSOSTOM: Apollos was probably older than Timothy, and some at Corinth may have wondered why Paul did not send him instead. Therefore, Paul reassures them by calling Apollos his brother and by saying that he did try to encourage him to go, but he did not want to at that particular point. Paul did not mean to criticize Apollos when he said this. He merely meant that the time was not right for him to come. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 44.1.

16:13 | Stand Firm in Faith

STAND FIRM. AMBROSIASTER: They were to be watchful, in case they were secretly attacked in their faith. They were to stand firm, being bold in confessing what they had been taught. They were to be strong in both word and deed, because it is the right combination of these which enables people to mature. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

BE STRONG. DIDYMUS THE BLIND: Paul tells them to be courageous and strong, like an athlete or soldier of Christ, doing everything with love toward God and each other. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

16:14 | Do Everything in Love

DO ALL IN LOVE. AMBROSIASTER: Where there is strife and dissension, there is no love. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

ALL TROUBLES AVOIDABLE BY LOVE. CHRYSOSTOM: If love had been present, the Corinthians would not have been puffed up, they would not have divided into factions, they would not have gone to law before heathens, or indeed at all. If there had been love in the church, that notorious person would not have taken his father’s wife, they would not have looked down on their weaker brethren, and they would not have boasted about their spiritual gifts. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 44.2.

16:15 | Devoted to the Service of the Saints

THE FIRST FRUITS OF ACHAIA. DIDYMUS THE BLIND: Paul calls these people the “first fruits” of Achaia, either because they were the first to be converted or because their piety was greater than that of others or because they refused to be ordained on account of their great humility and instead dedicated themselves to the service of others. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

THE HOUSEHOLD OF STEPHANAS. CHRYSOSTOM: Stephanas and his family were not only the first to be converted, they were also a shining example to everyone else. Those who are first ought to set an example to those who come afterward and be servants of others, as these people evidently were. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 44.3.

16:16 | Subject to Fellow Workers

SUBJECT TO SUCH MEN. PELAGIUS: Paul says this, because the people he is referring to dwell among the Corinthians, who can profit greatly from their presence. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 16.

16:17 | Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus

PAUL’S LETTER BEARERS. THEODORET OF CYR: These are the people who took Paul’s letter to Corinth, and they are also the ones who had brought the Corinthians’ letter about marriage to him. Paul wrote the letter when he was at Philippi. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 284.

16:18 | Refreshing Paul’s Spirit

THEY REFRESHED MY SPIRIT. DIDYMUS THE BLIND: The spirit of a holy person is refreshed by thinking and doing things which are pious, for the spirit strives after what is good. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

SHOW THEM RESPECT. CHRYSOSTOM: It is obvious that these must have been the people who told Paul about the situation in Corinth, and no doubt the Corinthians would not have thanked them for it. This is why Paul praises them and urges the Corinthians to show them honor and respect. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 44.3.