Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 16:8

"But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost;" — 1 Corinthians 16:8 (ASV)

But I will remain at Ephesus. This passage proves that this letter was written from Ephesus. Usually, it is by such indications as this that we are able to determine the place where the epistles were written. Regarding the situation of Ephesus, see Barnes on Acts 18:19.

Until Pentecost. This was a Jewish festival occurring fifty days after the Passover, and therefore called Pentecost. See Barnes on Acts 2:1.

As there were Jews at Corinth, and doubtless in the church, they would understand the time to which Paul referred; and as he was a Jew, he naturally used their mode of reckoning time, where it would be understood.

Doubtless, the great festivals of the Jews were well known among most of the cities of Greece, as there were Jews in them who were scrupulous in their observances. It is also no improbable supposition that Christians everywhere regarded this day with deep interest, as being the day on which the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and on the people of Jerusalem, Acts 2.