Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 16:10

"Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do:" — 1 Corinthians 16:10 (ASV)

The reference to Timothy’s coming must be connected with Ac 19:22, where Paul sent Timothy (and Erastus) into Macedonia. Therefore, at the time Paul wrote this, Timothy was traveling and was expected to arrive in Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17). Because Paul remembered that the Corinthians had acted so harshly toward himself (4:1, 8–13), he was afraid that they would treat the timid Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 1:7) coldly. Paul’s young helper, Timothy, had been with him for several years (Acts 16:1–3) and (as the Corinthians must have known) was doing effective work. When Timothy’s work for the Lord was finished at Corinth, Paul expected the Corinthians to send him back with all his needs supplied and with their blessing. The brothers coming back with Timothy may have included Erastus (Acts 19:22), who was a Corinthian believer (Romans 16:23).