1 Corinthians 16:12

As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren; but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

Paul's former plan seems to have been to go to Corinth first, and then to travel northward into Macedonia. He still had the intention of visiting them, but only after making a missionary journey through Macedonia, traveling over the entire region. As a matter of fact, this evangelistic tour, as Paul indicates, occupied a large part of the summer and the autumn, for he penetrated beyond Macedonia, into Illyria, Romans 15:19, which brought him to Corinth not much before the winter. If it was possible, if he could so arrange, Paul wanted to remain in Corinth the entire winter, remaining in the metropolis instead of touring the province, and expecting, in turn, to be accompanied by a delegation from them, that they may send him forward wheresoever he may go, probably, though not certainly, to Jerusalem. Note how carefully the apostle expresses himself with regard to his plans, since they were entirely in God's hands, and how tactfully he addresses the Corinthians, to retain their good will and not to appear domineering: For I would not see you now, merely in passing; he felt that a flying visit would not be acceptable. He rather hoped to stay some length of time with them if the Lord would permit. It is the language of a Christian that places everything into the hands of God at all times.

Paul frankly tells the Corinthians why he does not start on his proposed journey at once: But I will tarry, stay on, in Ephesus until Pentecost. At the time when he wrote this letter, it may have been near Easter. He felt that he must remain in Asia for a matter of some two months: For a door is opened to me, great and effectual, and many adversaries there are. The Lord had opened a great door to the Gospel, the Lord had made many hearts willing to listen to the great truths of salvation; and this wide open door promised much, the influence of the Gospel was spreading. Incidentally, however, there were many enemies. Acts 19:1, as the tumult soon after showed, which made the most earnest application on the part of the apostle necessary. And as a faithful shepherd he would not desert his post at the time of danger, when his presence was most urgently needed.

The apostle adds a few words, at this point, with regard to Timothy and Apollos. As he, upon another occasion, admonished his young helper not to permit any one to despise his youth, 1 Timothy 4:12, so he here warns the congregation not to think lightly of Timothy on account of his youth. Timothy and Erastus were sent on a mission to Macedonia, or they may have been bearers of this letter, Acts 19:21. Upon his arrival, therefore, the Corinthians should see to it that Timothy might be with them without fear, that he could attend to the work of his calling among them without the depression caused by supercilious treatment on the part of the congregation. For, as Paul says, he was working the work of the Lord, he was engaged in carrying forward the ministry of the Gospel as was the apostle himself. No one, then, should set him at naught, pretending to say that he did not possess full authority from God to do the work of an evangelist. They should rather, after he has performed the work entrusted to him, send him forward in peace, dismiss him peacefully, without annoyance, with kindly affection. They should remember that Paul was waiting for Timothy and the brethren that were with him, expecting their return to Ephesus before he left there. As for Apollos, who had labored in Corinth with such signal success, Paul had urged him most earnestly to make the journey to Corinth with the brethren; he had had no reluctance about seeing him go, but had perfect confidence in him. Apollos, however, who at that time must have been in Ephesus, would not be persuaded; it was altogether contrary to his will that he should come now. But his intention was to come as soon as there was a good opportunity. With the situation in Corinth such as it was, he may not have felt much like becoming involved in the difficulties, or other circumstances or engagements were holding him back.