1 Corinthians 16:12 Commentary and Bible Study

Apollos, as we have seen (see verse 1), had been urged by Paul to go to Corinth, but not told he must go. Apollos had exercised his own independent judgment by seeking the Lord’s will about the matter. We note however the last few words: ‘he will come when he shall have convenient time’, but that's not quite what the Greek says here, and I venture to say that the King James translators perhaps have not taking the ideal path here. The Greek says that Apollos will come when the time is good. And our translators have taken that to mean, when it's convenient for him. Along with many of the old commentators, I don't think it means that. It means, when the time is good. What is the matter with the time now? Well, we know from the opening verses of the epistle. There was a party spirit in Corinth and there were a lot of people saying, I am of Apollos. It sounds as though what Apollos is concerned about is this: he will come when the time is good, when the party spirit has simmered down. Paul, you have directed them on this, and I will go to Corinth when they have complied and dropped this nonsense of forming into parties behind preachers; I will go when I find there is no longer a support group for me, idolising and hero worshipping me. Then it will be a good time for me to go. That is probably what Apollos means, and why he prefers to continue for the time being in the work at Ephesus.