1 Corinthians 16:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.

NIV: When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am.

NASB: Now if Timothy comes, see that he has no reason to be afraid while among you, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am.

CSB: If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.

NLT: When Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.

KJV: Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

NKJV: And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.

Paul is wrapping up his long letter to the Corinthians with a few closing business matters. He has instructed them about how to collect money for a special contribution, as well as detailing his travel plans for coming to see them in person once again.

Paul does not plan to travel to see them directly, but he will be sending Timothy to them. Timothy's role may be both to deliver this letter and represent Paul among them. Paul had previously mentioned that Timothy was coming to them in 1 Corinthians 4:17, "That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ."

Paul had mentored Timothy in ministry ever since meeting the younger man while on a missionary journey that took him through Lystra in Asia Minor (Acts 16:1). Timothy joined Paul's team at that point and had become one of Paul's most-loved and trusted disciples. Timothy eventually became the pastor of the church at Ephesus.

Timothy's mention here is because he was with Paul during his time in Corinth, so he knew the people there. Paul now tells them to treat Timothy well by "[putting] him at ease." Perhaps Paul expects there to be a confrontation over the things he has written in his letter to them. He knows some in Corinth oppose him. He has noted deep division among the people (1 Corinthians 1:10–11). His letter has challenged them regarding their sex lives, style and manner of worship, and in their relationships with each other.

He reminds the Corinthians that both he and Timothy are doing the work of the Lord among them. In other words, Paul's teaching is from Christ, not from himself or Timothy.

First Corinthians 16:5–11 describes Paul's plans to come and see the Corinthians in person within the year. First, he will stay in Ephesus to take advantage of an open door to the gospel, intending to leave at Pentecost to visit churches in Macedonia. He hopes to arrive in Corinth in time to spend the winter months with them. In the meantime, Timothy will arrive to represent him and the Lord to them. Paul warns them to put Timothy at ease and to send Timothy and his party back to Paul in peace.

Having finished the main teaching parts of his letter, Paul wraps up with some matters of business. He tells the Corinthians how to gather funds for a special contribution. He describes his travel plans, including his plan to arrive there before winter. He warns them to treat Timothy well and commends a delegation from Corinth that have come to see him. He concludes with greetings from other believers, along with a curse and a blessing. He curses those who do not love the Lord—here apparently meaning false teachers—and prays the grace of the Lord on everyone else.

First Corinthians 16 concludes Paul's long letter to the church in Corinth with several business matters. He instructs them on how to prepare a special contribution for needy Christians in Jerusalem. He describes his plan to visit them in person after wrapping up his ministry in Ephesus and stopping by churches in Macedonia. He reveals that Timothy is coming to them more quickly and that Apollos is not. Finally, he commends a delegation from Corinth that has come to see him. His final words in the letter are a declaration of love for all of them.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.