1 Corinthians 16:10
Now if Timothy come to you, see that he be with you without fear.
Perhaps some one may think there is something unworthy of Timothy’s courage in this piece of advice. But not on Timothy’s account is this said, but for the hearers’ sake: lest by their design against him they should hurt themselves: since he for his part had his station always in the way of dangers.
For as a child serves a father, says he, so he served with me in furtherance of the Gospel. But lest from boldness towards the disciple they should proceed also to the teacher, and become worse, he checks them from afar off, saying, that he may be with you without fear; that is, that none of those desperate persons rise up against him. For he intended perhaps to rebuke them about the things concerning which Paul also had written: and indeed Paul professed to send him for this very reason. For I have sent Timothy unto you, says he, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways in Christ even as I teach every where in every Church. In order then that they might not through confidence in their high birth and wealth, and the support of the people, and the wisdom from without, attack him and spit upon him and plot against him, being grieved at the reproofs which came from him; or lest in revenge for the teacher’s rebuke they should demand satisfaction of him, so punishing the other; therefore he says, that he be without fear with you. As if he had said, Tell me not of those who are without, the Gentiles and unbelievers. It is your part that I require, you for whom also the whole Epistle was composed, the persons also whom in the beginning and the outset he had frightened. Wherefore he says, with you.
Then in virtue of his ministry he sets him forth as a person to be fully trusted; saying For the work of the Lord he works. That is; look not, says he, to this, his not being rich, namely, nor highly educated, nor old: but what commands are laid upon him, what work he is doing. ‘For the work of the Lord he works.’ And this serves him instead of all nobility and wealth and age and wisdom.
And he is not content with this, but adds, Even as I also. And some way above, Who is my beloved son and faithful in the Lord; he shall put you in remembrance of my ways in Christ. Seeing then that he was both young, and had been singly entrusted with the improvement of so numerous a people, both of which things tended to bring him into contempt, he adds, as we might expect,
1 Corinthians 16:11
Let no one therefore despise him. And not this only does he demand of them, but also greater honor; wherefore also he says, but set him forward in peace; that is, without fear; causing no fightings or contentions, no enmities or hatreds, but rendering all subjection as to a teacher.
That he may come unto me: for I expect him with the brethren. This also was the language of one that would alarm them. That is, in order that they might become more considerate, as knowing that all would be told him whatever Timothy’s treatment might be, he adds therefore, for I expect him. And besides, hereby he both shows that Timothy is worthy of their confidence; since being on the point of departing he waits for him; and also signifies the love which he has towards them, it appearing that for their sakes he sent away one so useful to him.
1 Corinthians 16:12
But as touching Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come unto you with the brethren.
This man appears to have been both well-educated and also older than Timothy. Lest they should say then, For what possible reason did he not send the man grown, but the youth instead of him? observe how he softens down this point also, both calling him a brother, and saying that he had besought him much. For lest he should seem to have held Timothy in higher honor than him and to have exalted him more, and on this account not to have sent him, and cause their envy to burst out more abundantly, he adds, I besought him much to come. What then: did not the other yield nor consent? Did he resist and show himself contentious? He says not this, but that he might not excite prejudice against him, and also might make excuse for himself, he says, and it was not at all his will to come now. Then to prevent their saying that all this was an excuse and pretence, he added, but he will come to you when he shall have opportunity. This was both an excuse for him, and a refreshment to them who desired to see him, by the hope which it gave of his coming.
- Afterwards indicating that not in the teachers but in themselves they ought to have their hopes of salvation, he says,