1 Corinthians 16:10
in 1 Corinthians 16If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do:
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.
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This verse in 1 Corinthians 16
Commentary
12 notes on this verseNow, if Timotheus come - Of Timothy we have heard before, 1Co 4:17. And we learn, from Act 19:22, that Paul sent him with Erastus from Ephesus to Macedonia. It is evident, therefore, in opposition to the very exceptionable subscription at the end of this epistle, that the epistle itself was not sent by Timothy, as there stated. That he may be with you without fear - That he may be treated well, and not perplexed and harassed with your divisions and jealousies; for he worketh the work of the Lord - he is Divinely appointed, as I also am.
This site's exposition
If Timothy comes, see to it
on 1 Corinthians 16:10-12
Paul asks that Timothy have nothing to fear in a church that despised even Paul, for he does the Lord's work. Apollos, whose name headed a party, would not go now, and the two men whose names divided Corinth decline to be rivals.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
Although Timothy was preaching what he had learned from Paul and was a gifted evangelist, the apostle commends him since he did not have the same authority. Paul was afraid that Timothy might not be received as he deserved by dissidents in the church, that …
Perhaps some one may think there is something unworthy of Timothy's courage in this piece of advice. But not on Timothy's account is this said, but for the hearers' sake: lest by their design against him they should hurt themselves: since he for his part had his station always in the way of dangers. "For as a child serveth a father," saith he, "so he served with me in furtherance of the Gospel." But lest from boldness towards the disciple they should proceed also to the teacher, and become worse, he checks them from afar off, saying, "that he may be with you without fear;" that is, that none of those desperate persons rise up against him. For he intended perhaps to rebuke them about the things concerning which Paul also had written: and indeed Paul professed to send him for this very reason. "For I have sent Timothy unto you," saith he, "who shall put you in remembrance of my ways in Christ even as I teach every where in every Church." In order then that they might not through confidence in their high birth and wealth, and the support of the people, and the wisdom from without, attack him and spit upon him and plot against him, being grieved at the reproofs which came from him; or lest in revenge for the teacher's rebuke they should demand satisfaction of him, so punishing the other; therefore he saith, "that he be without fear with you." As if he had said, "Tell me not of those who are without, the Gentiles and unbelievers. It is your part that I require, you for whom also the whole Epistle was composed," the persons also whom in the beginning and the outset he had frightened. […]
The Medieval Church3 voices
That is, he preaches and teaches, and not simply, but as I do, which constitutes great praise for Timothy.
Here he instructs them concerning the things which pertain to his disciples. And first, concerning things that pertain to Timothy; secondly, concerning things that pertain to Apollos (v. 12). Concerning Timothy, he enjoins three things. First, that he be kept free of concern; hence he …
Since it was likely that Timothy, upon arriving in Corinth, would reprove those who were sinning and rebuke them, he warns them so that the wealthy wise men would not rise up against him — not because Timothy lacked courage and could fall, but because …
5 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
Proud spirits cannot easily bear reproof. It was reasonable therefore to think young Timothy might be roughly used; hence the apostle warns them against using him ill. Not but that he was prepared for the worst; but, whatever his firmness and prudence might be, it was their duty to behave themselves well towards him, and not discourage and dishearten him in his Lord's work.
Now if Timotheus come,.... The apostle had sent him already, as appears from 1Co 4:17 and he was now gone from him; but whether he might not be prevented by unforeseen incidents in his journey, he could not say; and therefore speaks cautiously of his coming; from whence it is evident, that this epistle was not sent by Timothy, as the subscription to it suggests.
Note, Those who work the work of the Lord should be neither terrified nor despised, but treated with all tenderness and respect. Such are all the faithful ministers of the word, though not all in the same rank and degree. Pastors and teachers, as well as apostles and evangelists, while they are doing their duty, are to be treated with honour and respect.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
Now--rather, "But." Therefore Timothy was not the bearer of the Epistle; for it would not then be said, "IF Timothy come." He must therefore have been sent by Paul from Ephesus before this Epistle was written, to accord with 1Co 4:17-19; and yet the passage here implies that Paul did not expect him to arrive at Corinth till after the letter was received.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Now if Timotheus come - Paul had sent Timothy to them (see the note at 1Co 4:17-18), but as he had many churches to visit, it was not absolutely certain that he would go to Corinth. May be with you without fear - Let him be received kindly and affectionately. Timothy was then a young man; Act 16:1-3; 1Ti 4:12. There might be some danger that he might feel himself embarrassed among the rich, the frivilous, and the great. Paul, therefore, asks them to encourage him, to receive him kindly, and not to embarrass him. Perhaps, also, there may be some reference to the false teachers whom Timothy might be called on to oppose. They were powerful, and they might endeavor to intimidate and alarm him. Paul, therefore, asks the church to sustain him in his efforts to defend the truth. For he worketh the work of the Lord - He is engaged in the service of the Lord; and he is worthy of your confidence, and worthy to be sustained by you.
The words behind it
17 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ἐὰν | ean | If | G1437 → | 352 times |
| δὲ | de | now | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| ἔλθῃ | elthe | may come | G2064 → | 628 times |
| Τιμόθεος, | timotheos | Timothy, | G5095 → | |
| βλέπετε | blepete | do see | G991 → | 132 times |
| ἵνα | ina | that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| ἀφόβως | aphobos | without fear | G870 → | |
| γένηται | genetai | he shall be | G1096 → | 667 times |
| πρὸς | pros | with | G4314 → | 700 times |
| ὑμᾶς· | humas | you; | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| τὸ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| ἔργον | ergon | work | G2041 → | 168 times |
| κυρίου | kuriou | of [the] Lord | G2962 → | 711 times |
| ἐργάζεται | ergazetai | he is doing | G2038 → | 41 times |
| ὡς | hos | as | G5613 → | 500 times |
| κἀγώ. | kago | also I myself. | G1473 →G2532 → | 839 times |
ἘὰνIf
eanG1437 →352 times
δὲnow
deG1161 →2765 times
ἔλθῃmay come
eltheG2064 →628 times
Τιμόθεος,Timothy,
timotheosG5095 →
βλέπετεdo see
blepeteG991 →132 times
ἵναthat
inaG2443 →668 times
ἀφόβωςwithout fear
aphobosG870 →
γένηταιhe shall be
genetaiG1096 →667 times
πρὸςwith
prosG4314 →700 times
ὑμᾶς·you;
humasG4771 →2973 times
τὸthe
toG3588 →19766 times
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
ἔργονwork
ergonG2041 →168 times
κυρίουof [the] Lord
kuriouG2962 →711 times
ἐργάζεταιhe is doing
ergazetaiG2038 →41 times
ὡςas
hosG5613 →500 times
κἀγώ.also I myself.
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
it leads to
- Galatians 6:9
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- 2 Chronicles 15:7
But as for you, be strong; do not be discouraged, for your work will be rewarded.”
- Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- Philippians 2:16
as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
- 1 Corinthians 3:8
He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
- Galatians 6:9
Through
1 Corinthians 4:17That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach…
it leads to
- 1 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 7:17
Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.
- 2 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 1 Timothy 1:2
Where this verse is studied
About 1 Corinthians
Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homilies on First Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Corinthians 44; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Corinthians.