1 Corinthians 16:5-12
A Door for Effective Work
5After I go through Macedonia, however, I will come to you; for I will be going through Macedonia.
6Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.
7For I do not want to see you now only in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
8But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,
9because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.
10If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
11No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers.
12Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
Berean Standard Bible
Paul tells the Corinthians about his travel plans. He intends to come after passing through Macedonia and may stay with them through the winter so they can help him on his journey. He does not want to see them only in passing; he hopes for time together and support for the next stage of ministry.
Paul says he will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost because a great door for effective work has opened to him, and there are many adversaries. Opportunity and opposition stand together. Difficulty does not automatically mean a door is closed, and an open door does not mean the work will be easy.
Paul urges the Corinthians to receive Timothy without fear. Timothy is doing the Lord's work just as Paul is, so no one should despise him. The church should send him on his way in peace so that he can return to Paul. A younger or less imposing worker still deserves respect when he is faithfully serving Christ.
Paul has strongly urged Apollos to visit the Corinthians with the brothers, but Apollos was not willing to go at that time. He will go when the opportunity is right. Paul does not treat Apollos' different timing as rebellion or force him to prove loyalty. Christian partnership can include genuine affection, different judgments, and patient timing.
Questions
1 Why did Paul want to stay with the Corinthians?
AnswerHe wanted time with them through the winter and hoped they would help him on his next journey.
2 Why was Paul staying in Ephesus?
AnswerA great door for effective work had opened there, even though many adversaries were also present.
3 How should the Corinthians receive Timothy?
AnswerThey should receive him without fear or contempt because he was doing the Lord's work just as Paul was.
4 How did Paul respond to Apollos' decision?
AnswerPaul urged Apollos to come but accepted that he was unwilling at that time and would come when the opportunity was right.
What This Means for Us
Do not interpret every obstacle as a divine “no.” Ask whether a real opportunity for good is present, then prepare for opposition without assuming opposition proves failure.
Respect different callings and timing. A faithful worker may need encouragement, rest, or a different route rather than pressure to satisfy someone else's schedule.
Prayer
Lord, open doors for effective work and give us courage when opposition appears. Help us respect faithful servants, receive one another peacefully, and trust Your timing in partnership. Amen.