1 Corinthians 16:12 – “Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul is talking about Apollos, a well-known teacher in the early church. Paul says that he strongly encouraged Apollos to visit the Corinthians, but Apollos was unwilling to go at that time. However, Paul assures them that Apollos would come later when the time was right.

This is interesting because it shows that even among faithful leaders, there were differences in timing, plans, and personal convictions. Paul wanted Apollos to go to Corinth, but Apollos had his own reasons for delaying his visit. Yet, Paul did not force him—he respected Apollos’ decision and trusted God’s timing.

This verse teaches that not all good ministry opportunities are meant to happen immediately. Even strong Christian leaders must be led by God, not just by human expectations.

Historical Context

Apollos was a powerful preacher and teacher of the gospel. He was well-educated, eloquent, and knowledgeable in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24-28). He had previously ministered in Corinth and had a significant influence on the believers there. Some Corinthians even identified themselves as followers of Apollos, Paul, Peter, or Christ, which caused divisions in the church (1 Corinthians 1:12).

Paul’s encouragement for Apollos to visit Corinth might have been an effort to unify the church, reminding them that all Christian leaders serve the same Lord. However, Apollos chose to wait. Perhaps he felt the timing wasn’t right, or he wanted to avoid stirring up the old divisions again.

This shows that God’s servants must be sensitive to His timing, not just to what people expect of them.

Theological Implications

1. God’s Timing Is More Important than Human Plans – Paul wanted Apollos to go to Corinth, but Apollos waited for the right time. This shows that even well-meaning plans must align with God’s timing.

2. Spiritual Leaders Have Personal Convictions – Apollos was not just a passive follower of Paul’s wishes. He had his own sense of what God wanted him to do. Christian leaders today should also listen to God’s direction, not just follow human advice.

3. Unity in the Church Is Important – Apollos may have delayed his visit to avoid adding to the divisions in Corinth. This shows that sometimes, waiting is the wiser choice for the sake of peace.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s wording in this verse is straightforward but insightful:

• “Now about our brother Apollos” – Paul calls Apollos a brother, emphasizing their unity despite having different plans.
• “I strongly urged him to go” – Paul had a strong desire for Apollos to visit Corinth, showing Paul’s concern for the church.
• “He was quite unwilling to go now” – Apollos had his own reasons for waiting, demonstrating his independence in decision-making.
• “But he will go when he has the opportunity” – Apollos wasn’t rejecting Corinth—he was simply waiting for the right time.

This verse gives insight into how early Christian leaders worked together, making decisions with both wisdom and flexibility.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 18:24-28 – Apollos is described as a powerful preacher who was taught more accurately by Priscilla and Aquila.
• 1 Corinthians 1:12-13 – Paul addresses divisions in the church, where some people claimed to follow Apollos instead of Paul.
• Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Apollos waited for the right season to visit Corinth.
• Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Paul’s plan for Apollos was good, but God’s plan was better.
• Romans 12:18 – “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Apollos may have delayed his visit to prevent further divisions in Corinth.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. We Must Trust God’s Timing – Even when something seems good, it doesn’t mean it’s the right time. Apollos waited for the best moment to visit Corinth, teaching us that patience is sometimes better than immediate action.

2. Leaders Must Listen to God’s Direction – Paul and Apollos respected each other’s decisions, showing that Christian leaders must be led by the Holy Spirit, not by pressure from people.

3. Unity Is More Important Than Personal Preference – If Apollos delayed his visit to avoid stirring up division, he showed great wisdom and humility. Christians today should also put unity above personal ambition.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He leads His people according to His perfect timing. Paul’s plan for Apollos was good, but God knew that Apollos needed to wait. This shows that God lovingly guides His servants in the best way possible.

It also reflects God’s patience. Just as Apollos waited for the right moment, God is patient with us, guiding us step by step instead of forcing us to move before we are ready.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus also followed God’s perfect timing:

• John 7:6 – Jesus said, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do.” Like Apollos, Jesus did not act based on pressure from others—He waited for God’s timing.
• John 11:6 – When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He delayed His visit on purpose, knowing that God had a greater plan.
• Luke 4:42-43 – People wanted Jesus to stay, but He knew He had to follow God’s mission and move on.
• Matthew 26:18 – Jesus told His disciples, “My appointed time is near,” showing that He always acted in obedience to God’s perfect schedule.

Apollos’ decision to wait reflects the same trust in God’s timing that Jesus demonstrated in His ministry.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever wanted to act quickly but felt that God was leading you to wait? How did that turn out?
2. What does this verse teach about trusting God’s timing rather than rushing into things?
3. How can we respect and encourage different leadership styles in the church, like Paul and Apollos did?
4. What can we learn from Apollos about putting unity above personal ambition?
5. How does Jesus’ example of waiting for the right time help you trust God in your own life?