1 Corinthians 16:12

“As touching our brother Apollos, etc.] Who was a senior man to Timothy, an eloquent preacher, one who had been at Corinth, and was well known to the saints there, and greatly approved by many of them; wherefore the apostle excuses it, that he should send the one, and not the other, and shows that it was no fault of his: for, says he, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren; who seem to be Timotheus and Erastus, (see <441922>Acts 19:22). He greatly importuned him to go along with them, knowing how acceptable he would be among them, and hoping he might be of great use to them in composing their differences, and rectifying their disorders. But his will was not at all to come at…”

“Apollos, I greatly desired . . . to come unto you--He says this lest they should suspect that he from jealousy prevented Apollos' coming to them; perhaps they had expressly requested Apollos to be sent to them. Apollos was not at Ephesus when Paul wrote (compare Co1 16:19, and Co1 1:1). Probably Apollos' unwillingness to go to Corinth at this time was because, being aware of the undue admiration of his rhetorical style which led astray many at Corinth, he did not wish to sanction it (Co1 1:12; Co1 3:4). Paul's noble freedom from all selfish jealousy led him to urge Apollos to go; and, on the other hand, Apollos, having heard of the abuse of his name at Corinth to party purposes,…”

“As touching our brother Apollos - Tyndale renders this, “To speak of brother Apollo.” In regard to Apollos, see the note at 1 Corinthians 1:12. His will was not at all to come at this time - It is probable that there were matters which detained him, or which required his presence in Ephesus. It is not known why Apollos had left Corinth, but it has been supposed that it was on account of the dissensions which existed there. For the same reason he might not be induced to return there while those dissensions lasted and there might be employment which he had where he then was which rendered his presence there important. The Latin fathers say that Apollos did after this return to Corinth, when…”

“I besought him much - To come to you. With the brethren - Who were then going to Corinth. Yet he was by no means willing to come now - Perhaps lest his coming should increase the divisions among them. 1 Corinthians 16:13”

“our: Co1 1:12, Co1 3:5, Co1 3:22; Act 18:24-28, Act 19:1; Tit 3:4 when: Ecc 3:1; Mar 6:21; Act 24:25 1 Corinthians 16:13”