Why was Apollos unwilling to visit Corinth according to 1 Corinthians 16:12? Setting the Scene: Paul’s Note about Apollos “Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers, but it was not at all his desire to go now. However, he will go when he has the opportunity.” (1 Corinthians 16:12) What the Verse Explicitly Tells Us • Paul personally pressed Apollos to visit Corinth. • Apollos “was not at all” willing to go at that moment. • His reluctance was about timing (“now”), not a permanent refusal. • He intended to come later, “when he has the opportunity.” Zooming Out: Why Might Apollos Have Hesitated? Scripture does not spell out a single reason, but several clues surface when we connect related passages: 1. Division in the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 1:11-12; 3:4-6) • Some believers were saying, “I follow Apollos,” creating party spirit. • Apollos may have feared his presence would inflame that factionalism. 2. A desire to avoid rivalry with Paul (1 Corinthians 3:6-9) • Paul and Apollos served as co-laborers, not competitors. • Waiting could protect the church from comparing leaders. 3. Sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading (Acts 16:6-7; Galatians 5:25) • The early church moved as the Spirit directed. • Apollos may have discerned that the Spirit had another assignment for him first. 4. Ongoing ministry obligations elsewhere (Acts 18:24-28; 19:1) • After Ephesus, Apollos traveled through Achaia powerfully refuting Jews in public debate. • Commitments on that circuit could have kept him from leaving immediately. 5. The value of strategic timing (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Proverbs 15:23) • Visiting later could allow tensions in Corinth to cool and fruitfully receive his teaching. Key Takeaway from Paul’s Report Apollos’ hesitation was a matter of godly wisdom and timing, not disinterest or conflict with Paul. He exercised personal conviction under the Lord’s authority, confident that an eventual visit would be more profitable for everyone. Lessons for Today • God-honoring leaders move at the Lord’s timing, even when urged by respected peers. • Avoiding situations that could fuel division is often the most loving choice (Romans 12:18). • Cooperative ministry thrives when each servant listens to God while honoring fellow workers. • Timing matters—doing the right thing at the right moment preserves unity and maximizes impact. |
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