Paul would not See them Now 1 Corinthians 16:7

Paul the apostle shared with the church members in Corinth how, “it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you,”, and in chapter sixteen and verse seven of First Corinthians, Paul declared to the church members, “I will not see you now by the way”, where we read:

For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

The verse begins, “For I will not see you now by the way;...” Paul began with the word, “for” or “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “I will not see you” which means “Paul would not perceive with his eyes, attention or observation” “now” or “at this moment or time” “by the way” or “in the passing”. Paul shared with the church members how he would not be able to be with them at the present time.

The verse goes on to say, “... but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.” Paul continued with the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “I trust” which means “Paul hoped and waited for salvation with joy and full confidence” “to tarry a while” or “to abide, continue and remain for some certain time” “with you” which refers to “the church members in Corinth”, “if” or “in case” “the Lord” which means “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the name ” “permit” or “gives leaves, affirms and allows”. Paul's desire was to “stay” with the church members in Corinth when he had occasion in the future to do so.

When we consider these words from Paul, we may think these things to be logistical in nature, and they certainly are, however, these are practical functions pertaining to the “gospel of Jesus Christ”. Paul was certain to visit the Corinthians not only for exhortation and correction, but also for encouragement and lifting of their spirits. Jesus Christ loves for people within the church to visit and care for one another, and as opportunity presents itself, let us join together in fellowship and love with fellow believers.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.