Concerning Apollos 1 Corinthians 16:12

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “Let no man therefore despise” Timothy, and they should “conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren”. In chapter sixteen and verse twelve of First Corinthians, Paul gave instructions to the church members, “as touching our brother Apollos”, where we read:

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.

The verse begins, “As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: ...” Paul began with the words, “As touching” which means “now concerning, on account and because of” “our brother” which refers to “the church members and Paul's fellow believer who was united to another by the bond of affection” “Apollos” whose name means “given by Apollo” and was “a learned Jew from Alexandria and mighty in the scriptures who became a Christian and a teacher of Christianity”, “I greatly” or “Paul much and in a large way” “desired him” which means “came alongside, admonished, exhorted, consoled, encouraged and strengthen Apollos” “to come unto you” or “to arise and arrive among the church members” “with the brethren” or “fellow believers who were united to one another by the bond of affection”. Like Timothy, Paul wanted Apollos to visit with the church members.

The verse continues, “... but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “his will” which means “Apollos' wish, desire, purpose, choice, inclination, desire and pleasure” “was not at all” or “was in no way and altogether, doubtless, surely and certainly” “to come” which means “to arise and arrive among the church members” “at this time” or “at this present or certain moment” “but” which is the same disassociation conjunction as mentioned above “he will come” or “Apollos would arise and arrive among the church members” “when” or “as soon as” “he shall have convenient time” which refers to “having leisure and opportunity”. Paul knew that Apollos would not visit the church members at that time, but would make provision when a future opportunity came.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see how “timing” was a factor with Apollos visiting the Corinthian church. Apollos desired to see them, however, he was not able to do so immediately. This is sometimes the case with the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though we may desire to tell someone about Jesus or help others in their walk with the Lord, sometimes opportunity to do so must be delayed. God has His “timing” for everything, and as we wait, let us be in prayer and seek the Lord on behalf of those we'd like to see. May the Lord Jesus lead our steps as He did Paul and Apollos.

Next time Paul tells the church members to, “watch, stand, quit like men and be strong”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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