What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 16:7? For I do not want to see you now only in passing Paul refuses to settle for a fleeting, drive-by visit. He wants fellowship that is personal and transformational. • His shepherd’s heart longs for more than a quick greeting; he wants genuine connection, much like he voiced elsewhere: “We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). • A hurried stop would not allow him to address the church’s doctrinal and relational issues. He would rather wait until he can invest adequate time, reflecting the pattern of focused ministry we see in Acts 18:11, where he “stayed for a year and a half, teaching the word of God.” • The desire for face-to-face joy echoes 2 John 12: “I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” I hope to spend some time with you Paul’s hope involves deliberate, extended ministry, not vague optimism. • He aims to “impart… some spiritual gift to strengthen” them, producing mutual encouragement (Romans 1:11-12). • The phrase hints at strategic, purposeful discipleship: “For three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31). • Repeated plans to return show consistency: “See, I am ready to come to you for the third time” (2 Corinthians 12:14). True love for the body of Christ invests time. if the Lord permits Every plan bows to God’s sovereign will. • James 4:15 instructs, “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” Paul lives that out, holding his itinerary loosely. • Proverbs 16:9 affirms, “A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” • He regularly phrases future intentions this way: “I will come back to you if God is willing” (Acts 18:21) and “I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing” (1 Corinthians 4:19). Dependence on divine permission keeps human plans humble and obedient. summary 1 Corinthians 16:7 reveals Paul’s pastoral love, desire for substantive fellowship, and complete submission to God’s sovereignty. He will not rush through Corinth; he wants to linger long enough to build up the believers—yet only if the Lord opens the way. The verse calls today’s disciples to pursue deep, time-rich relationships in the church while holding every plan under the Lord’s wise authority. |
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