Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.
Now concerning our brother Apollos,
Evidently, the Corinthian church asked about the possibility of the gifted Alexandrian, Apollos, coming back to Corinth. Remember that some Corinthians split over Apollos, Paul, and Peter. Some thought Apollos superior to Paul and Peter. Apollos was eloquent, an orator, a spell-binder. He was also “mighty in the Scriptures” (Ac 18:24).
I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time;
Each person must answer to the Lord on a personal basis. Paul had no authority over Apollos to tell him when and where to go.
Ro 14:12, So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
however, he will come when he has a convenient time.
Paul’s relation to Apollos (one of the three leaders, the Corinthian church divided over) was positive, and they did not view each other as rivals. Paul accepted Apollos’ rejection of his suggestion to go to Corinth. Paul did not claim to have the will of God for Apollos. Paul established the church at Corinth, and Apollos followed Paul as pastor there. Paul said that he and Apollos were co-laborers in ministry (1 Co 3:9). Paul was not jealous of Apollos’ giftedness, for he “strongly urged” Apollos to come to Corinth.
Ac 18:24, Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
PRINCIPLE:
Cooperation is essential for effective ministry.
APPLICATION:
It is imperative among leaders of the cause of Christ to have a strong sense of cooperation. There is no place for personal rivalry or undercutting each other’s ministry. Competition in ministry filled with envy is a problem today. It is one thing to be goal-oriented and vision-oriented, but it is another to be people-oriented. Are we, as leaders, concerned about our associates?
