Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Corinthians 16:6
And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
6. And it may be that I will abide ] Better, that I shall abide. The Apostle (Act 20:3) was enabled to carry out this half promise.
and winter with you ] The navigation of the Aegaean was dangerous in the winter (Act 27:9; Act 27:12).
bring me on my journey ] Literally, send me forward. “The recognized word for helping forward on a journey or a mission.” Stanley. See Act 15:3; Act 20:38; Act 21:5; Rom 15:24, &c also 1Co 16:11.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
That ye may bring me on my journey – That you may accompany me, or aid me, and furnish me the means of going on my journey. It was customary for the apostles to be attended by some members of the churches and friends in their travels. See the note at Act 10:23.
On my journey … – Probably to Judea. This was evidently his intention. But wherever he should go, it would be gratifying to him to have their aid and companionship.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. Yea, and winter with you] He purposed to stay till pentecost at Ephesus; after that to go to Macedonia, and probably to spend the summer there; and come in the autumn to Corinth, and there spend the winter.
That ye may bring me on my journey] That ye may furnish me with the means of travelling. It appears that, in most cases, the different Churches paid his expenses to other Churches; where this was not done, then he laboured at his business to acquire the means of travelling.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He did stay in Greece three months, Act 20:3, but it is believed some things hindered him, that he did not winter at Corinth. It was the custom for some members of the gospel churches, to accompany the apostles some part of their way when they went from them to any other places, in token of their kindness and respect to them, Act 15:3; 17:15; 20:38.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. He did “abide and evenwinter” for the three WINTERmonths in Greece (Corinth), Act 20:3;Act 20:6; from which passage itseems that Paul probably left Corinth about a month before the “daysof unleavened bread” or the Passover (so as to allow time totouch at Thessalonica and Berea, from which cities two of hiscompanions were; as we read he did at Philippi); so that thus thethree months at Corinth would be December, January, and February[BIRKS, HorApostolic].
yeemphatical in theGreek.
whithersoever I goHepurposed to go to Judea (2Co 1:16)from Corinth, but his plans were not positively fixed as yet (see on1Co 16:4; compare Ac19:21).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And it may be that I will abide,…. He could not be certain what calls in Providence he might have to some other places, where his presence would be necessary:
yea, and winter with you; stay all winter with them, for the space of three months, as we read he did in Greece, Ac 20:1.
That ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go; both by accompanying him in person themselves, in token of honour and respect, and by providing things necessary for his journey; see
Ac 15:3.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
It may be (). Neuter accusative of second aorist active participle of used as an adverb (in Plato and Xenophon, but nowhere else in N.T.).
Or even winter ( ). Future active of late verb (, winter). See on Acts 27:12; Acts 28:11; Titus 3:12. He did stay in Corinth for three months (Ac 20:3), probably the coming winter.
Whithersoever I go ( ). Indefinite local clause with subjunctive. As a matter of fact, Paul had to flee from a conspiracy in Corinth (Ac 20:3).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And it may be that I will abide,” (de tuchon katameno) “And possibly I will tarry, remain, or abide.” Paul’s time schedule was contingent, not fixed; he extended his Macedonia trip into Illyria, beyond what he had formerly planned, Rom 15:19; ministers must be flexible to God’s will, Act 16:6-7.
2) “Yea, and winter with you,” (e kai paracheimaso pros humas) “or even spend the winter with you all,” the church at Corinth. Paul planned, timed his travels to arrive in Corinth, possibly to winter with them, which he did, staying for three months, Act 20:3.
3) “That ye may bring me on my journey,” (hina humeis me propempsete) “in order that you all may help me on my way,” in ways of financial help and encouragement, wherever he might go, which was not directly to Jerusalem, but back through Macedonia, Act 20:3-4.
4) “Whithersoever I go.” (ou ean poreuomai) Wherever I may choose to go.” The term poreuomai” indicates a travel with an unfixed schedule, leaving one’s decisions always to be flexible, day by day, “as the Lord wills,” as taught Jas 4:13-15; Act 18:21; 1Co 4:19.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(6) And it may be that I will abide . . .His former plan had involved but a brief visit to the Church at Corinth, but the arrangement which he now contemplated would permit of a longer stay, and so he adds, with affectionate emphasis, that you may send me on my journey. Whither he would go from Corinth he had not yet determined; and, indeed, it was subsequently determined for him by a conspiracy against him, which was fortunately discovered in time (Act. 20:3). He remained three mouths at Corinth, during winter, and, as that brought him to a time of year when a voyage would be safe, he resolved to sail into Syria. The conspiracy of the Jews caused this plan to be abandoned, and a different course, through Troas, &c., adopted. (See Act. 20:6; Act. 20:13; Act. 20:17.) The phrase that ye may send me on implies not merely that Corinth should be the starting-point of his journey to Jerusalem, but that he should set out on that journey with the good wishes and blessing of his Corinthian friends (as in Act. 20:38; Act. 21:5).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. Winter with you It was now approaching spring; he left Ephesus, went and spent the summer and fall in Macedonia and thereabouts, and really wintered at Corinth, whence he wrote his epistles to Galatia and Rome. Note, Act 20:1-3.
That ye The ye is emphatic and honouring. You and no other Church.
Bring me on my journey Aid in furnishing equipments, and honourably escorting him a part of the way.
Whithersoever His plan beyond Corinth being unfixed.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But with you it may be that I will abide, or even winter, that you may set me forward on my journey wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you now by the way, for I hope to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.’
Indeed his purpose was not only to visit them but also to stay with them for a time, and possibly even to spend the winter with them, that they might then set him on his way to wherever the Lord would direct him. That is why he was not suggesting a quick visit on the way to somewhere else. For if the Lord permitted, he wanted to stay with them for a goodly period.
Thus Paul wanted them to know of his desire to spend time with them, and that the calumnies of those who said that he no longer cared for them were untrue.
‘If the Lord permit.’ He was aware that he was a man under orders, and probably remembered the last time when he had had a sudden call to go to Macedonia (Act 16:9). All his arrangements had to be subject to the Lord’s requirements. Thus he makes this necessary proviso (compare Jas 4:13-15).
In fact his plans suffered a change. At the time of writing it was his plan to head north from Ephesus and then spend some time in Macedonia. Macedonia was the Roman province north of Corinth where Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea were. Then he planned to travel south to Corinth. But Paul changed his plan and travelled directly from Ephesus to Corinth for a visit that was quite hurtful ( 2Co 2:1 ; 2Co 12:14; 2Co 13:1-2), after which he returned to Ephesus (compare 2Co 2:5-8; 2Co 7:12). Later he visited Macedonia and then Corinth again (2Co 2:12-13; 2Co 7:6-16). This change of plan might have resulted from news of how his letter had been received.
While Paul did spend a winter in Corinth, it was in fact the winter after the one when he had expected to be there, the winter of about 57-58 AD rather than about 56-57 AD (compare Act 20:2-3; Rom 16:1; Rom 16:23), for he sensed the need to spend a goodly time in Corinth, and in view of the problems in the church that he has mentioned in this letter, and had had confirmed by his visit, we can understand why.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
Ver. 6. Yea, and winter with you ] They had ill deserved such a favour of him; for the more he loved them the less he was beloved of them,2Co 12:152Co 12:15 ; but sought he not theirs, but them. Discourtesies must not discourage us from God’s work. Calvin, though but coarsely used at his first coming to Geneva, brake through all.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
6. ] This, of which he speaks uncertainly, was accomplished; he spent ( Act 20:3 ) three months, and those (ib. Act 20:6 ) the three winter months, in Greece (at Corinth).
, Meyer justly remarks, is emphatic, and conveys an affectionate preference, in his present plan, for them.
, with a verb of motion. The account of this is that the ideas of motion and rest are both involved in the verb: rest, when the motion is accomplished. So Luk 10:1 ; Soph. Trach. 40, : Xen. Hell. vii. 1. 25, . See Khner, 623, Anm. 2.
Whither he should go from Corinth, was as yet uncertain, see 1Co 16:4 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
abide. Greek. parameno. Elsewhere, Heb 7:23. Jam 1:25.
winter. See Act 27:12.
bring me on my journey. Greek. propempo. See Act 15:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
6. ] This, of which he speaks uncertainly, was accomplished; he spent (Act 20:3) three months, and those (ib. Act 20:6) the three winter months, in Greece (at Corinth).
, Meyer justly remarks, is emphatic, and conveys an affectionate preference, in his present plan, for them.
, with a verb of motion. The account of this is that the ideas of motion and rest are both involved in the verb: rest, when the motion is accomplished. So Luk 10:1;-Soph. Trach. 40, :-Xen. Hell. vii. 1. 25, . See Khner, 623, Anm. 2.
Whither he should go from Corinth, was as yet uncertain, see 1Co 16:4.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
1Co 16:6. , perhaps) He speaks very familiarly.- , whithersoever) For the sake of modesty he does not express how far he may be thinking to go, Act 19:21.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
1Co 16:6
1Co 16:6
but with you it may be that I shall abide, or even winter, -He expresses the probability of remaining with them through the winter. From Act 20:2-3 we learn that he came into Greece (Corinth), and abode there three months, [which were winter months. The summer months of that year he had spent in Macedonia, and he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost (Act 20:16); but as the Aegean Sea was not favorable for navigation till spring, he spent the intervening winter at Corinth.]
that ye may set me forward on my journey-Whether this means help forward with money, conveyance, or merely encourage him with their company, is not certain. [This accompanying forward the teachers of the gospel was an established custom in the early days of the church. (Act 15:3; Act 20:38; Act 21:5; Rom 15:24; 2Co 1:16; Tit 3:13; 3Jn 1:6).]
whithersoever I go.-[Paul well knew that some uncertainty must attach to his plans. As it was, he had to change his plans at the last moment. His intention was to sail from Corinth, but, owing to a plot to assassinate him, he changed his plan and went the overland route through Macedonia. (Act 20:3).]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
winter: Act 27:12, Act 28:11, Tit 3:12
that ye: Act 15:3, Act 17:15, Act 20:38, Act 21:5, Rom 15:24, 2Co 1:16, 3Jo 1:6, 3Jo 1:7
Reciprocal: 1Co 16:11 – but
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Co 16:6. Bring me on my journey. The first word is from PROPEMPO, which Thayer defines, “To send before. To bring on the way, accompany or escort.” He then explains the word to mean, “To set one forward, fit him out with the requisites [things required] for his journey.” Hence when a church furnishes a preacher the things he needs to take him to his “field of labor,” it is bringing that preacher on his journey to the Lord’s work.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1Co 16:6. But with you it may be that I shall abide, or even winterwhich he actually did, as we learn from Act 20:2-3, where it is said, We came into Greece (meaning Corinth, its capital, with which he had most to do), and there abode three months, which were winter months. The summer months of that year he had spent in Macedonia, and he had to be at Jerusalem at Pentecost (Act 20:16); but as the gean Sea was not favourable for navigation till spring, he spent the intervening winter at Corinth,that ye may set me forward on my journey, or accompany me a little way, as this favourite phraseology means (Act 15:3; Act 20:38; Act 21:5; Rom 15:24; 2Co 1:16; Tit 3:13; 3Jn 1:6),whithersoever I goimplying that his plans were not then definitely fixed.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Vv. 6. But if his presence among them should be thus somewhat retarded, it will probably be the more prolonged. To this agreeable thought he adds a second, which, if they love him, ought also to gladden them: that they will thus have the task of providing for the new journey, whatever it may be, which will follow his stay. The expression whithersoever I go refers to the uncertainty which he still feels as to whether he will start for Jerusalem or for the West.
The verb signifies: to send on in company while providing for all the wants of the journey. At the time when Paul wroteit was the Passover of the year 57he proposed to remain a few weeks more at Ephesus, till Pentecost (1Co 16:8 and chap. 1Co 5:7-8). He thus reckoned on passing the following summer in Macedonia, and thence proceeding about autumn to Corinth, there to pass the winter of 57-58. It is commonly held that this plan was carried out. I do not think so. It seems to me, as to others, that the complications which arose immediately after this letter between the apostle and the Church of Corinth led in the course of things to much graver changes than is usually supposed. In any case, it seems to me impossible to connect with the simple change of plan here indicated the justification of his loyalty which the apostle is obliged to give in the first chapter of the Second Epistle (1Co 16:15-18). The change there referred to is evidently one of far greater importance; comp. 2Co 2:1-4.
The is often used for in the later Greek.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
ut with you it may be that I shall abide, or even winter, that ye may set me forward on my journey whithersoever I go.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Paul did spend the winter in Corinth, but it was the winter after the one when he expected to be there, the winter of 57-58 rather than 56-57 (cf. Act 20:2-3; Rom 16:1; Rom 16:23). He sensed the need to spend a good long visit in Corinth, and in view of the problems in the church that he mentioned in this letter we can understand why.