1 Corinthians 16:11

let no man therefore despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come unto me: for. expect him with the brethren.

'despise him' -'slight him' (Ber); 'He is not to be treated with disrespect' (Knox). Because of his age? (1 Timothy 4:12)

Points to Note:

1. Paul was concerned about how his fellow-workers were treated by the various congregations.

2.. warning here exists for us. Unfortunately, some members seem to think that elders, deacons, preachers, song-leaders, and bible class teachers exist to be abused. The attitude is almost, 'Well it's their job to take. lot of flak, criticism comes with the territory, those people are supposed to be thick-skinned.' Paul doesn't agree. 1 Corinthians 16:10-11 are. warning to the Corinthians. If they try to intimidate Timothy or treat him with disrespect, their going to have to answer to Paul! (2 Corinthians 13:2)

3. From other verses we learn that Timothy might of had. problem with confrontation. (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Timothy 4:12 -'Paul urges him not to be afraid and to "stop allowing anyone contemptuously to be pushing you aside."' (McGuiggan p. 216)

Sometimes. preacher resigns from. difficult work (where the members are difficult to work with) and some of the members justify themselves and their own disagreeable attitudes by saying, 'Well he wasn't cut out for the work here'. Paul disagrees. Just because some people might try to push Timothy around and even if they succeeded, it doesn't mean that Timothy is the one with the big problem!

'But set him forward on his journey in peace' -i.e. with the same type of considerations and assistance that Paul hoped they would give him. (1 Corinthians 16:6)

'that he may come unto me' -When Paul writes the Second Corinthian letter from Macedonia, Timothy is with him. (2 Corinthians 1:1)

'for. expect him with the brethren' -the brethren probably traveling with him. (Acts 19:22)