8. 9. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and (there are) many adversaries.
There were two reasons, therefore, for his remaining at EjDhesus, his abundant opportunities of usefuhiess, and the ne- cessity of withstanding the adversaries of the gospel. Paul's plan was to spend the spring at Ephesus, the summer in Mace- donia, and the winter in Corinth. The Pentecost of the fol- lowing year he spent in Jerusalem. He could not leave Ephe- sus soon, for^ he says, a great and effectual door is opened to me. A door is a way of entrance, and figuratively an oppor- tunity of entering into the possession of the convictions and hearts of men. A great door was opened to the apostle, he had a wide field of usefulness. The epithet effectual does not agree with the figure, but the meaning is plain — the opportu- nities were such as could be turned to good effect. And there are many adversaries. The opponents of the gospel varied very much m character in different places. Those in Ephesus were principally men interested in the worship of Diana. The pressure of the heathen seems to have driven the Jews and Christians to make common cause. Acts 19, 22. Whereas, in Corinth, Paul's most bitter opponents were Judaizers. The presence of such violent adversaries rendered the personal support of the apostle more necessary to the church.
10. Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear : for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also (do.)
In Acts 19, 22, we read that Paul* "sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timotheus and Erastus ; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season." Timothy, there- fore, at this time, was travelling through Macedonia, and ex- pected to reach Corinth, whither the apostle had sent him ; see 4, 17. Besides this mission of Timothy, there was anoth- er some time later, consisting of Titus and other brethren, who were sent to learn the effect produced by this letter ; and whose return the apostle so anxiously awaited, 2 Cor. 2, 12. 13. Paul requests the Corinthians so to receive Timo- thy that he might be there without fear. It was not fear of personal violence, but the fear of not being regarded with respect and confidence. The reason by which he enforces bis