1 Corinthians 16:10-18 (NIV)
When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.
Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
Paul was not alone in the work of the kingdom. He was supported by several men and women of God, who went where he couldn’t be, and who built up and encouraged the Church in the far-flung reaches of the empire.
One of his key assistants was Timothy, whom he had recruited in Lystra on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3). Over their years of partnership in ministry, Timothy had become like a son to Paul, and Paul trusted him unequivocally.
Paul is considering sending Timothy to Corinth to help them until he can get to them himself. And so, he let the Corinthians know that if Timothy is able to come, he won’t just be this young upstart throwing his weight around. He will come as an emissary from Paul, acting in his authority, and should be treated as such.
Apollos had become well known as a powerful evangelist since Aquila and Priscilla had instructed him in Ephesus many years earlier (Acts 18:24-28). Paul had tried to persuade him to look in on the church in Corinth, but he didn’t have an opening in his schedule right then.
In his absence, Paul encourages the Corinthians to stand firm in the faith, to not let themselves get blown off course by erroneous doctrines that had sprung up, and to let their interactions with each other be controlled by agape love (1 Corinthians 13). They should also follow strong Christians in their own congregations, men like Stephanas whom Paul personally commends here. Stephanas had been among those who had brought the gift to Paul from Corinth, and Paul had been glad to see the strong Christian again.
Father, it is easy to forget that Paul was not a one-man show. He worked alongside many amazing Christians, whose partnership he highly valued, and who stood alongside him in times of trial and difficulty. Many of those he had led to Jesus himself, and had helped them to grow into mighty men and women of God. And now they were busy in the work of the kingdom, helping others to know Jesus, and to grow just as they had been helped. Lord, each of us who know You stand in a long line of obedient servants who have been faithful in their work in Your kingdom. Help us to be just as faithful in raising up the next generation. Amen.