The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 539

rornpellcd to exercise a severity which, he able. In every allusion to him we ftnd h0pecl. might be obvinted by writing to them traces of a somewhat timid and sensitive nnd dehlying his intended visit. Notlling disposition (1 Tim. v. 21-23; 2 Tim. i., but his usual delicacy and desire to spare 6-8, etc.). He may well, therefore, have them prevented him from stating all this shrunk from the thought of meeting the more fully (2 Cor. i. 2H; ii. 1). Mistaking haughty sophisters and disputntious parti- the kindness of his purpose, the Corinthians sans of Corinth. As I also do. "As n aon accused him of levitv. He defends himself with the father, he bath served with me in from this charge in the Second Epistle, and the gospel" (Phil. ii. 22). St. Paul felt for he carried out the plan which he here Timothy n deeper personal tenderness than announces (2 Cor. ii. 13; viii. 1; ix. 2, 4; for nny of his other friends, and the com- · xii. 14; xiii. 1). panio11ship of this gentle und devoted youth, Yer. 6.-Yea, and winter with you. This was one of the cllief comforts of his mission- he did (Acts xx. 3-6). That ye may bring ary labour. me on my journey. The "ye" is emphatic. Ver. 11.-Let no ma.n therefore despise· The acceptnnce of this favour at their hands him. His youth and modesty seemed to- was a proof of affection. It was the custom invite a contempt which waa only too con- in ancient days to accompany a dep1nting sonant with the character of the Corinthians. guest for a short distance (Rom. xv. 24 ; I look for him with the breth-ren. There was Acts xv. 3 ; xvii. 15). Whithersoever I go. a reason for adding this. The Corinthians St. Paul well knew that some uncertainty would see that any unkindness or contempt must attuch to his pluns. As it was, he shown towards Timothy would at once be had to change his plan at the last moment. reported to St. Paul. Who" the brethren" He had meant to sail from Corinth, hut, are is not mentioned, for in Acts xix. 22 we owing to a plot to assassinate him, he was are only told that Timothy was accompanied obliged to go o,erland round by Mace- by Erastus. Perhaps St. Paul means with donia (Acts xx. 3). the brethren who conveyed this letter (see Ver. 7.-For I will not see you now by ver. 12), and who, as he supposed, would the way ; rather, I do not '!CUJh to pay you a meet with Timothy ut Corinth, or fall in cureory visit now, as I had originally meant with him on their return to meet St. Paul in to do. If the Lord permit. The Christiana Macedonio.. One of these brethren must made a rule of adding these phrases in sign have been Titus (2 Cor. ii. 13; vii. 6, 7), and of dependence upon God (eh. iv. 19; Acts there were two others. :xviii. 1; Je.s. iv. 15; Heb. vi. 3). Ver. 12.-As touohlng our brother Apollos, Ver. 8.-I will tarry at Ephesus until Pen- rather, but as touching .Apollos, the brother. tecost. It is possible that this iutention waa It seems clear from this that the Corinthians. frustrated by the riot stirred up by the silver- in their letter, had 1·equested that this smiths (Acts :xix. 23-41). But, in any case, eloquent and favourite teacher might be· he stayed at Ephesus nearly a.s long aa he sent to them. I greatly desired him to come intended, for the riot only occurred when he unto you ; rather, I besought him much. we.a already preparing to leave (Acts xix. There were at Corinth persona mulignant 21, 22). enough to have suggested that Paul had Ver. 9.-A great door and effectual. A refused their request; that he would not "\>ide and promising opportunity for winning send Apollos to them out of jealousy of souls to God. The metaphor of '-' a door," Apollos'a superior oratory, and of the party perhaps suggested by our Lord himself, was which assumed his no.me. St. Paul antici- co=on among Christians (2 Cor. ii. 12; pated this sneer. His nature waa much Col. fr. 3; Acts xiv. 27; Rev. iii. 8). Many too noble to feel the least jealousy. Doth adversaries (Acts xix. 1, 8, 9, 19, 20). he and Apollna here show themselves in Ver. 10.-NowifTimotheuscome. St. Paul the purest light. His will; literally, there had already sent on Timothy (eh. iv. 17), was not will. The word "will " most fre- with Erastus (Acts xix. 22), to go to Corinth quently means "the will of God," but if by way of Macedonia, and prepare for hie that had been the meaning here, the word visit. But possibly he had countermanded would hnve had the article. It is used of these directions when he postponed his own human will in eh. vii. 37; Eph. ii. 3: 2 Pet. visit. ln the uncertain ties of ancient travel- i. 21. Hero it means that Apollos had ling, be could not be certain whether his decided not to come at present, obviously couu ter-order would reach Timothy or not. because his name had been abused foi:- It appears to have done so, for nothing ia purposea of party faction ( eh. iii. 5). This said of auy visit of Timothy to Corinth, and was nil the more noble on bis part because St. Paul sent Titus. Without fear. Timothy he seems to have been a special friend of must at this time have been very young (1 Titus (Titus iii. 13). St. Paul would gladly 'l'im. iv. 12). As a mere substitute for St. hnve sent hie two ablest und most energetio ~aul's personal visit, he would be uuaccept- disciples to this distracted Church. When. 1 oH. xvi. 1-24.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 551