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"Concerning our brother Apollos..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 16:12

THE GIFTED-SPEAKER APOLLOS

There was another person Paul had requested to visit Corinth. Paul had also asked if Apollos could visit Corinth. The following response was noted by Paul.

“Now concerning our brother Apollos,
I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren,
but he was quite unwilling to come at this time;
however, he will come when he has a convenient time.”
1 Corinthians 16:12

1. “Now concerning our brother Apollos”

a) The name of Apollos was mentioned earlier (1 Corinthians 1:12).

b) He was well-known to the Corinthians.

c) He obviously had a group of admirers.

d) Apollos came to faith through the ministry of Aquila and Priscilla.

e) They were instrumental in instructing him in the faith.

f) Apollos went on to become an effective speaker (Acts 18:24-28).

2. “I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren”

a) Apollos was not a disciple of Paul.

b) Thus, Paul could say that he urged him strongly to go to Corinth.

c) The situation in Corinth was tense because of the problems they were having.

3. “But he was quite unwilling to come at this time”

a) Apollos was not compelled to come.

b) He was “not willing”.

c) Not at that point of time anyway.

i) Apollos was not under obligation to Paul.

ii) He could turn down Paul’s request.

iii) That was his privilege to exercise.

d) The exact reasons for not going to Corinth was not disclosed.

e) It would be wise not to speculate on his reasons for not going to Corinth when requested.

4. “However, he will come when he has a convenient time”

a) The phrase “convenient time” may be translated as “a good time”.

b) When would be “a convenient time” was also not disclosed.

c) Paul however, needed to inform the Corinthians that he did invite Apollos to visit Corinth.

d) But he also had to inform them about Apollos’ rejection of Paul’s strong request.