1 Corinthians 16:10-12
The church should honor and support those who faithfully labor in the work of the Lord.
10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.
11 Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.
12 Now concerning Apollos, the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
The church should honor and support those who faithfully labor in the work of the Lord.
Paul instructs the Corinthians to receive and support fellow workers in the gospel, particularly Timothy and Apollos, while affirming unity among ministry leaders.
As Paul closes the letter, he turns to matters involving relationships among ministry leaders and the Corinthian church. Timothy, a younger co-worker of Paul, may have been vulnerable to criticism or dismissal in a divided congregation. Paul therefore urges the church to receive him with peace and respect. The mention of Apollos further demonstrates that different leaders may minister at different times according to God's purposes.
Timothy was one of Paul's closest co-workers and often served as his representative to churches. Because of his youth and the tensions in Corinth, Paul anticipated that Timothy might face resistance. Apollos, another influential teacher associated with Corinth, had previously ministered there but did not return immediately, illustrating the flexible and providential nature of early Christian ministry.
Ordered Giving, Open Doors, Faithful Labor, and Final Exhortations in the Lord
Because the church belongs to the risen Lord and participates in his mission, believers must live out resurrection-shaped faith through ordered generosity, steadfast courage, loving conduct, submission to faithful servants, and eager hope for the Lord’s coming.