1 Corinthians 16:8-14

But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.

11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

14 Let all that you do be done with love.

I will tarry (v.8) = I tarry — Paul wrote this letter from Ephesus in early spring

effective (v.9) = powerful in action

adversaries (v.9) — Note: he does not say, “but there are many adversaries”; he says “and there are many adversaries.” I.e., this was further reason for him to stay on a while longer. Among other adversaries, we know that there were the silversmiths led by Demetrius, men who made “no small gain” making shrines for Diana, the goddess of the Ephesians. And now they raised “no small stir” as Demetrius complained (Acts 19:26).

All these were entrenched foes, not only of Paul, but of the gospel, and he was determined by the grace of God to have the victory over them. The Acts account shows that his desire was graciously fulfilled. — Stam, page 288.

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Timothy (v.10) — Timothy and Erastus (the latter possibly the treasurer of the city of Corinth) had been sent from Ephesus. As they had to go through Macedonia (Acts 19:22), Paul seemed uncertain whether Timothy would reach there. The bearers of this letter may have gone by sea direct and have reached Corinth before Timothy. — Vine, page 120.

Apollos (v.12) — There was no ill will between Paul and Apollos regarding the issues raised in chapter one. It may have been this controversy that made Apollos reluctant to go at this time.

The verbs in verse 13 are in the present-continuous tense.

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