1 Corinthians 16:10,11

ἐὰν (not ὅταν) δὲ ἔλθῃ Τιμόθεος : “But if Timothy come” his coming is not certain. He and Erastus have been before this sent to Macedonia (Acts 19:21 f.) in advance of P., with instructions to go forward to Cor [2647] (1 Corinthians 4:17 above); he might be expected to arrive about the same time as this letter. But local circumstances, or even the report of the unfriendly attitude of the Cor [2648] (Ed [2649]), might detain him in Mac. He is found in Mac. with P. when some months later 2 Cor. is written: there is no explicit ref [2650] in that Ep. to Timothy's presence at Cor [2651] in the interval; but Titus' visit and report are largely in evidence. Ed [2652] says, “In point of fact he (Tim.) did not come “( cf. Lt [2653], Journal of Sac. and Cl [2654] Philology, ii., 198 ff.; also El [2655]). But this assertion is too positive. In 1 Corinthians 4:17 above P. announced Tim.'s coming definitely and laid stress upon it. Tim. shares in the Address of 2 Cor., and the fact that he is associated by the Ap. with himself in the significant “we” of 1 Corinthians 7:2 ff. (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:5-11) points to his being involved in some way in the “grief” which P. had suffered from Cor [2656] subsequently to the writing of 1 Cor. Very possibly Timothy was the ἀδικηθεὶς of 2 Corinthians 7:12, in whose person, seeking as he did to carry out the directions of 1 Corinthians 4:17, Paul had been insulted by some prominent Cor [2657] Christian (ὁ ἀδικήσας). If this actually happened, the apprehensions expressed here about the treatment Tim. might receive, proved only too well-founded: “see (to it) that without fear he may be with you” (or hold converse with you : γένηται πρὸς ὑμᾶς, see 1 Corinthians 2:3, and parls.) … “let no one then set him at naught”. These words point to Timothy's diffidence, as well as to his comparative youth: see 1 Timothy 4:12, and the vein of exhortation in 2 Timothy 2:1-13 and 2 Timothy 3:10 to 2 Timothy 4:18. Tim. was P.'s complement, as Melanchthon was Luther's gentle, affectionate, studious, but not of robust or masculine character. The temper of the Cor [2658] Church would be peculiarly trying and discouraging to him. Paul hopes that regard for him will have some restraining effect upon the Cor [2659] τὸ γὰρ ἔργον Κυρίου (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:58) κ. τ. λ. identifies Timothy in the strongest way with P. himself: cf. 1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:20; similarly respecting Titus, in 2 Corinthians 8:23. For ἐξουθενέω, see parls. “But send him forward in peace ” for if Tim. attempts the task indicated in 1 Corinthians 4:17, a rupture is very possible, such as, we gather from 2 Corinthians 2:7, actually ensued. From the following words, “that he may come to me, for I am awaiting him,” it appears that P. expects Tim's return before he leaves Eph.: cf., for the vb [2660], 1 Corinthians 11:33. It is doubtful whether μετὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν qualifies the subject “I with the brethren” those of 1 Corinthians 16:12-18, the Cor [2661] brethren now in Eph. and interested in Tim's success at Cor [2662], who are delaying their return until he brings his report (so Hf [2663], Gd [2664]); or the object “I await him with (= and) the brethren,” i.e. those, including possibly Erastus, whom P. expects to arrive at Eph. from Cor [2665] along with Tim. (so most interpreters). The relevancy of the words on the latter construction is not obvious. On the former view, “the brethren” of 1 Corinthians 16:11-12 are the same, being the deputies who had brought over the Cor [2666] Church Letter to P., and who are now awaiting Tim's return before they themselves return home. This hints an additional reason why the Cor [2667] should with all speed send Timothy back to Paul “in peace”.

[2647] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2648] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2649] T. C. Edwards' Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians.

[2650] reference.

[2651] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2652] T. C. Edwards' Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians.

[2653] J. B. Lightfoot's (posthumous) Notes on Epp. of St. Paul (1895).

[2654] classical.

[2655] C. J. Ellicott's St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians.

[2656] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2657] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2658] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2659] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2660] verb

[2661] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2662] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2663] J. C. K. von Hofmann's Die heilige Schrift N.T. untersucht, ii. 2 (2te Auflage, 1874).

[2664] F. Godet's Commentaire sur la prem. Ép. aux Corinthiens (Eng. Trans.).

[2665] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2666] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2667] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.