Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 16:8

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

The projected journey through Macedonia fits the record of Paul’s travel in Ac 19:21 and 20:1–2, which shows that after following that route, he ended up spending three months in Greece—most likely in Corinth. This intention of spending the winter with them (1 Corinthians 16:6) relates to the “three months” mentioned in Ac 20:3. “To help him on his journey” must mean endorsing Paul’s intended trip and encouraging him, perhaps with fresh supplies and equipment. Paul did not seem to want to burden them by asking directly for money (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:7–12). His work, Paul feels, is not yet finished at Ephesus (vv.8–9), because a great door (cf. “door” in Ac 14:27; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3) of opportunity stands open for him there. We are not told just who the opponents at Ephesus were, but according to Ac 19:23–27 they included the pagan craftsmen engaged in making miniature silver shrines of Artemis.

The reference to Pentecost means that Paul expected to stay at Ephesus until well into spring, then go during the summer to Macedonia (including Philippi), and finally spend the winter in Corinth. The following spring, by Pentecost time, the apostle was at Jerusalem (Acts 20:16; cf. 20:6, which states that Paul sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, about forty-two days before Pentecost).