Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 16:12

"But as touching Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come unto you with the brethren: and it was not all [his] will to come now; but he will come when he shall have opportunity." — 1 Corinthians 16:12 (ASV)

Regarding our brother Apollos. Tyndale translates this as, "To speak of brother Apollo." In regard to Apollos, see Barnes on 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 have been induced to return there while those dissensions lasted, and there might have been employment which he had where he was then, which rendered his presence there important. The Latin fathers say that Apollos returned to Corinth after this, when the religious differences had been settled — Bloomfield.

It is probable that the Corinthians had requested, by the messengers who carried their letter to Paul, that either he or Apollos would come and visit them. Paul states, in reply, that he had endeavoured to prevail on Apollos to go, but had not succeeded.

He will come when he shall have convenient time. The Greek word means, when he should have leisure, or a good opportunity. He might then have been engaged, or he might have been unwilling to go while their contentions lasted. They had probably (1 Corinthians 1:12) endeavoured to make him the head of a party, and on that account, he might have been unwilling to return among them at present. But Paul assures them that Apollos intended to come among them at some future time. This was said probably to show them that Paul himself still retained his affection for them and had a tender solicitude for their peace and prosperity. If this had not been said, they might, perhaps, have inferred that Apollos was offended and had no desire to come among them.