1 Corinthians 16:5-12

1 Corinthians 16:5-12

And I will come to you all whenever I should go through Macedonia.  For I do go through Macedonia – and perhaps I will remain with you all or even spend the winter – in order that you all should help me on my way wherever I should go.  For I do not now desire to see you all in passing, for I hope to remain with you all for some time if the Lord should permit.  But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost.  For a great and effective door has been made possible for me even while having much hostility.  And if Timothy should come, watch in order that he should become without fear with you all – for he works the work of the Lord as even I do.  Therefore nobody should despise him.    And send him on his way in peace in order that he should come to me.  For I expect him with the brothers.  And regarding Apollos the brother, I urged him greatly in order that he should come to you all with the brothers.  And a desire was not at all in order that he should come.  But he will come whenever he should have the opportunity.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought

Paul is quite open with the believers at Corinth.  He tells them up front that a great door has been opened for him in Ephesus.  That means that he plans to stay in Ephesus for a while instead of coming to see them.  Paul realizes that the Corinthians could be hurt as they hear that Paul is choosing to stay in Ephesus rather than coming to see them.  However, Paul sets a great model for them.  The work of the Lord comes before personal relationships.  When the Lord opens a door for ministry, we should be prepared to walk through it!

Are you prepared to do what the Lord asks?  How good are you at prioritizing the work of the Lord with our desire for human relationship?

Second Thought:

Then Paul speaks about Timothy.  Paul warns the Corinthians to not give Timothy any reason to fret.  Remember, Timothy is young.  It is easy for people to judge young people and think they do not know what they are doing.  It is easy for people to push around young people and intimidate them.  Paul warns the Corinthians to not do this.  Timothy is doing the work of the Lord.  Nobody should despise him.

Do you always like the people around you who are doing the work of the Lord?  Do you always respect the opinions of people who are younger than you?

Third Thought:

Paul also talks about Apollos.  We must be careful to not read these words as though Paul has an impression that he disagrees with Apollos’ decision to not go to Corinth.  Remember at the beginning of this letter that we heard about the Corinthian people being divided.  Many of them were divided between Paul and Apollos – although certainly neither Paul nor Apollos desired or promoted this division.  We don’t know for sure, but I can only imagine that Apollos didn’t want to go to Corinth and exacerbate the situation.  What this actually tells us is that Apollos is a man of wisdom.  Apollos isn’t afraid or disobedient; he is wise!  Paul isn’t upset with Apollos, he is actually giving support for the decision.

Are you quick to jump into division or are you quick to avoid it?  Do you support or condemn those who jump into division and take sides?  Do you support or condemn those who avoid mixing with division?  Why do you do any of this?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Corinthians 16:13-18