I Corinthians 16:5  Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.
6  And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
7  For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
8  But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
9  For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
10  Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
11  Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

The apostle Paul was not one to sit around and take it easy. He was motivated by the love of God that was in him. He wanted people to know the truth. He desired to see people saved and he also wanted to see saints growing in the Lord. We know that God is not content to see one of His children living carnally. We know that God directed Paul to address the carnality in Corinth. Since Paul was a saved man, he also desired to see the saints in Corinth do right by God.
He had written this letter to them. He also wanted to visit them in person. Paul was not afraid to speak plainly and honestly. His message was not his own. He received it from the Lord. He had no reason to be ashamed of what he had written. He wanted them to know his love for them. He was going to be travelling through Macedonia and on his way he would stop in Corinth.
In verse 6 he stated that he might spend the winter with them. He was not imposing himself upon them. He was a faithful servant of the Lord. He was not looking for a vacation spot. He was busy serving the Lord. The saints in Corinth would have the privilege of looking after his physical needs while he was with them. That is the way God’s people should work. There are saints that are called to labour in the Word. There are other saints who are called to labour in secular employment so they can support those who are labouring in the Word. There is also the blessing of fellowship with a godly man. The important point is to appreciate the importance of the ministry of the Word. There is no greater need of man than to be reminded of the truth and being saved and serving the Lord.
In verse 7 Paul noted that he would work his way to Corinth. His trip would not be a direct trip to Corinth. He had other areas to visit on the way. He wanted to make good use of his time and he wanted to encourage the various works along the way. He also reminded the saints that he was under the Lord’s direction. He could make plans, but they were always tentative. The true child of God needs to allow for God to revise his plans for His glory. God knows the future. He does not always reveal His plan to us very far ahead of time. He gives His child the opportunity to make plans. His child needs to be flexible with his plans. It is always important to remind others that we will do our best to stick to our word, but we also need to put in the caveat: “if the Lord wills”. The true child of God does not use that phrase as an excuse. He seeks to glorify God in his life.
In verse 8 we see that Paul would stay at Ephesus until Pentecost. Paul spent a fair amount of time in Ephesus. He did much teaching there. Pentecost was in late spring or early summer. Paul had been given an open door there from the Lord. When God opens a door, it is important to be available to work through that open door. That door was not opened by Paul’s gimmicks. It was opened by the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of the people, through Paul’s faithful preaching of the truth. No bouncy castles or other diversions are necessary in the Lord’s Work.
In verse 9 we see that God had given Paul great opportunity to minister to the needs of the people in Ephesus. There were enemies of the truth. That will always be the case. However, we are reminded here that the adversaries are also limited in their activities by God. He does not stop them. He exposes them as adversaries. Those who are called to be pastors need to be aware of the devil’s tactics and rather than try to find some common ground with false teachers, they need to be exposed.
It is not that difficult to point out the adversaries of the truth. New Evangelicalism and its many daughters have muddied the waters. The Bible is still the Word of God and It is quite clear.
In verse 10 Paul mentions Timothy. Timothy was a faithful servant of the Lord. He was trustworthy. Paul wanted the saints to treat him properly. Paul could speak highly of him. Timothy had been trained by Paul and he was a faithful worker just as Paul was. Paul had opportunity to interact with many men. A few of those men chose to submit to the Lord and they were an asset to the apostle Paul and most importantly, to the work of the Lord.
There is a great need for dependable men who will serve the Lord faithfully and not be discouraged by opposition.
In verse 11 Paul continued to warn the saints of having the right attitude toward Timothy. Timothy was a younger man, but he was not a cocky young man. Sometimes young men want to prove how wise they are. In doing that, they actually prove how unwise they are. Timothy was not an attention grabber. He was a faithful servant of the Lord, who as a younger man, had been willing to apply the things he had learned in a proper manner. Paul encouraged the saints to treat Timothy properly, including supplying his needs so that he could go and meet the apostle Paul in his work.
Saints need to be taught. One of the methods of teaching is repetition. We do not work like a broken record, but God often repeats things in the Bible. He may use different words to remind us of what is needed. He wants His children to follow Him and glorify Him. One of the blessings of the “written” Word is that we can re-read it often. It is important to read through the Bible at least once every year. It will help greatly in your walk with the Lord, if you are saved.
Pastor Bartel