Commentary - 1 Corinthians 16:10-11

Bird's-eye view

In these closing remarks of his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul provides practical instructions concerning his trusted delegate, Timothy. Having addressed the massive theological and ethical problems roiling the Corinthian church, from divisions and lawsuits to sexual immorality and resurrection denial, Paul now turns to the men who will carry on his apostolic ministry in his stead. These two verses are a compact lesson in how a church ought to receive and relate to a minister of the gospel, particularly a younger one. Paul is not merely giving travel advice; he is shoring up Timothy's authority and commanding the church to give him the respect due to a representative of Christ. The instructions are threefold: ensure he is without fear, do not despise him, and support his ministry by sending him off in peace. At the heart of this is the fundamental basis for Timothy's authority: he is doing the Lord's work, just as Paul is. This is a crucial principle for church health in any generation.

The subtext here is the Corinthians' known arrogance and their tendency to be impressed by flashy speakers and worldly wisdom, the very things that caused them to form factions in the first place. Timothy, by all accounts, was of a more timid and reserved disposition, and he was young. Paul anticipates that the chest-thumping Corinthians might be tempted to dismiss him. Therefore, this is a preemptive apostolic command to knock it off. It is a call for the church to measure a minister not by his personal charisma or age, but by his faithfulness to the work of the Lord. This passage serves as a vital reminder that the authority of a minister is derived not from himself, but from the one who sent him and the work he is doing.

Outline

Context In 1 Corinthians

This passage comes at the very end of the letter, in a section (Chapter 16) filled with practical arrangements and personal greetings. Paul has just outlined the plan for the collection for the saints in Jerusalem (16:1-4) and sketched out his own travel plans, which include a future visit to Corinth (16:5-9). He then turns his attention to Timothy, who is either on his way or will be soon. This commendation of Timothy is not an afterthought but a crucial piece of pastoral strategy. The Corinthian church was a mess, characterized by pride, division, and a critical spirit. They had challenged Paul's own authority, so it was highly likely they would give his younger, less forceful delegate a hard time. By placing his full apostolic weight behind Timothy, Paul is setting up a test of their repentance and submission. How they treat Timothy will be a direct reflection of how they are responding to Paul's apostolic correction. It is a practical application of the principles of humility and godly order that he has been teaching throughout the entire epistle.

Key Issues

The Authority of the Work

In our celebrity-driven age, we often associate authority with personality. We look for dynamic leaders, charismatic speakers, and impressive resumes. The apostle Paul redirects our attention entirely. The basis for receiving Timothy, for honoring him, and for submitting to his teaching is not found in Timothy himself. It is not his age, his experience, or his force of personality. The basis for his authority is the fact that "he is doing the Lord's work, as I also am."

This is a foundational principle. The work of the Lord, which is the faithful preaching of the gospel and the building up of the church according to the Word, carries its own authority. The man is simply the vessel. This does not mean the man's character is irrelevant, not at all. But it does mean that the church's first question should not be "How impressive is the minister?" but rather "Is this man faithfully doing the work of the Lord?" When a man is faithfully handling the Word of God, the authority present in the room is not his own, but God's. To reject or despise such a man is to reject and despise the Lord who sent him and whose work he is doing. Paul puts Timothy on the same plane as himself in this regard. The work is the same, and therefore the source of the authority is the same. The Corinthians were to receive Timothy as they would receive Paul, because both were servants of the same Master, engaged in the same task.

Verse by Verse Commentary

10 Now if Timothy comes, take care that he is with you without fear, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am.

Paul begins with a conditional, "if Timothy comes," indicating some uncertainty in the travel plans, but he is clearly expecting him. The first command to the Corinthians is to see to it that Timothy's time with them is "without fear." This is a telling instruction. Why would Timothy be afraid? Because the Corinthians were a contentious, arrogant, and difficult bunch. They were spiritual brawlers. And we know from Paul's later letters that Timothy was likely a man of a more timid or reserved constitution. Paul is essentially telling the church, "Don't you dare intimidate my man. You are to create an environment where a faithful minister can do his job without having to watch his back." This is the responsibility of a congregation. A church that keeps its pastor in a state of fear through constant criticism, challenges to his authority, and factional strife is a church that is fighting against the Lord's work. The reason for this command is immediately given: "for he is doing the Lord's work." This is the great equalizer. The work itself, not the personality of the worker, is what matters. Paul underscores this by adding, "as I also am." In the matter of the work, Timothy stands on level ground with the apostle. He is an authorized representative.

11 So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me, for I expect him with the brothers.

The logical conclusion of the previous statement is this sharp command: "So let no one despise him." The word for despise here carries the idea of treating someone as nothing, looking down on him, or holding him in contempt. This was likely aimed at those in Corinth who were puffed up with their own "wisdom" and eloquence, and who might look at a young, less-imposing figure like Timothy and write him off. Paul had to give Timothy a similar instruction directly: "Let no one despise you for your youth" (1 Tim. 4:12). Here, Paul gives the command to the church. It is a sin to despise a man for his youth when he is faithfully ministering the Word. You don't have to be old to speak the truth. The truth is old, and that is what matters. Instead of contempt, they are to show him active support. "Send him on his way in peace" means to provide for his journey, to equip him, and to ensure his departure is as free from strife as his stay was meant to be. It is an expression of fellowship and affirmation. The final clause, "for I expect him with the brothers," is a gentle reminder that Timothy will be reporting back to Paul. How they treat Paul's son in the faith will be taken as how they are treating Paul himself. It adds a little bit of apostolic steel to the command.

Application

This brief passage is intensely practical for the modern church. We live in a consumeristic culture that often treats pastors and ministers like commodities to be evaluated based on their performance and personality. We are tempted to build churches around men rather than around the Word of God. Paul calls us back to what is essential.

First, churches have a solemn duty to care for their ministers. This means more than just paying a salary. It means creating an atmosphere of respect and peace, where the man of God can labor without fear. A church that is constantly in an uproar, second-guessing every decision, and harboring factions is a church that is quenching the Spirit and hindering the very work it claims to support. We are to receive faithful ministers not with suspicion, but with honor.

Second, we must learn to recognize true spiritual authority. It does not reside in a three-piece suit, a Ph.D., a certain age, or a booming voice. It resides in the faithful proclamation and application of the Word of God. We must train ourselves to listen for the voice of the Shepherd in the preaching, not the polish of the speaker. This is especially important when it comes to younger ministers. The temptation to dismiss a man because he is young is as old as Timothy, and it is a sin. If a man is doing the Lord's work, he is to be honored, regardless of the date on his driver's license.

Finally, this is a call to humility for all of us. The Corinthians were proud, and their pride was destroying them. The antidote was to stop evaluating everything and everyone by worldly standards and to simply submit to the plain teaching of the Word, whether it came from the mighty apostle Paul or his younger associate Timothy. The issue is never the messenger; the issue is always the message, and the King who sent it.