1 Corinthians 16 11

1 Corinthians 16:11 kjv

Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

1 Corinthians 16:11 nkjv

Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

1 Corinthians 16:11 niv

No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

1 Corinthians 16:11 esv

So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

1 Corinthians 16:11 nlt

Don't let anyone treat him with contempt. Send him on his way with your blessing when he returns to me. I expect him to come with the other believers.

1 Corinthians 16 verses

1 Corinthians 16 11 meaning

Paul’s instruction to the Corinthian church regarding Timothy is twofold: they must not look down on him or treat him with contempt, and they are to understand that Timothy is actively engaged in the work of the Lord with the same commitment as Paul himself. This exhortation aims to secure respect and effective collaboration for Timothy’s visit, emphasizing the divine nature of his mission.

1 Corinthians 16 11 Context

This verse appears in the closing section of 1 Corinthians, where Paul provides practical instructions and travel plans. Paul has just mentioned his intention to visit Corinth himself after passing through Macedonia (v. 5-7) and his current plan to stay in Ephesus until Pentecost (v. 8). He then introduces Timothy’s imminent arrival (v. 10), stating that if Timothy comes, the Corinthians should ensure he is free from fear. Verse 11 reinforces this by instructing them not to despise him, underscoring Timothy’s importance and the divine nature of his mission, paralleling it with Paul’s own work. The overall context of the letter addresses numerous problems in the Corinthian church, including divisions, spiritual arrogance, and a lack of respect among members, which often extended to how they treated spiritual leaders, particularly those not perceived as "powerful" or charismatic. The instruction serves to preempt any such disrespectful treatment towards Timothy, a younger and possibly less imposing figure than Paul.

1 Corinthians 16 11 Word analysis

• So: (οὖν - oun) A particle of inference or consequence, connecting this instruction directly to the previous verse (v. 10), where Paul asked them to make sure Timothy was with them without fear. It introduces a practical conclusion based on Timothy's expected visit and Paul's care for his comfort.

• let no one: (Μή τις - mē tis) A strong prohibition or negative command. It emphasizes a strict exclusion, urging not a single person among them to engage in the forbidden action. This suggests Paul anticipated a real possibility of this occurring.

• despise: (ἐξουθενήσῃ - exouthenēsē) From the verb exoutheneō, meaning "to treat with contempt," "to set at naught," "to utterly disdain," or "to belittle." The root contains ouden (οὐδέν), meaning "nothing," implying that someone despised is regarded as worthless. This word carries a strong sense of humiliation and rejection. This term is used elsewhere for Peter and John being "uneducated" (Acts 4:11), or for one who "despises" a person for their appearance (Jas 2:6), indicating it addresses the perception of inferiority or unimportance.

• him: (αὐτόν - auton) Refers to Timothy. This highlights Timothy as the specific object of the instruction and the potential recipient of disdain. Timothy's relative youth (1 Tim 4:12) or reserved temperament (2 Tim 1:7) might have made him susceptible to being undervalued by the status-conscious Corinthians.

• For: (γάρ - gar) Introduces the reason or justification for the preceding command. Paul gives the theological grounding for why Timothy should not be despised.

• he is working: (ἐργάζεται - ergazetai) A present active indicative verb, denoting continuous and diligent action. It implies an ongoing commitment and earnest engagement. Timothy is actively engaged in this task.

• the work: (ἔργον - ergon) Meaning "deed," "task," "labor," or "occupation." This term is often used in the New Testament to refer to spiritual service. Its repetition with "working" emphasizes the concrete nature of his effort.

• of the Lord: (Κυρίου - Kyriou) Denotes possession or origin. The work is not Timothy's, nor Paul's ultimately, but belongs to Jesus Christ. This divine ownership elevates the work's importance and the worker's status, transcending human judgment. It grounds Timothy's authority in God, not in his own charisma or skill.

• as: (ὡς - hōs) A particle of comparison, meaning "just as," "even as," or "like." It draws a direct parallel between Timothy’s service and Paul’s.

• I myself am: (κἀγώ - kagō) A compressed form of "καὶ ἐγώ" (kai egō), meaning "and I," or "I also." Paul deliberately associates Timothy’s work with his own apostolic labor. This provides a strong endorsement from Paul, effectively leveraging his own authority and standing within the Corinthian church to protect Timothy. It signifies shared purpose, divine calling, and approved methods.

• "Let no one despise him": This phrase directly confronts the potential for internal strife and judgment within the Corinthian church, indicating that a spirit of belittling and contempt was a real danger. Paul seeks to protect Timothy's ministry from undermining forces, likely rooted in status, appearance, or oratorical prowess, which were highly valued in Hellenistic Corinth but inconsistent with gospel values.

• "For he is working the work of the Lord": This segment is the theological core justifying respect for Timothy. By declaring his labor as "the work of the Lord," Paul elevates Timothy's activities beyond personal efforts to divinely commissioned service. This grounds Timothy’s authority not in himself, but in God, making any despising of Timothy tantamount to despising the Lord's work itself.

• "as I myself am": This comparison is crucial. Paul explicitly equates Timothy's work with his own. This linkage serves as a strong apostolic endorsement, essentially transferring Paul's recognized authority and esteem to Timothy. It helps to ensure that Timothy is received not just as a messenger, but as a legitimate and highly-regarded representative doing the exact same, divinely appointed work that Paul himself performs, demanding the same level of respect.

1 Corinthians 16 11 Bonus section

The concern about "despising" Timothy (ἐξουθενέω) is particularly insightful given the cultural context of Corinth. Greek society placed high value on rhetoric, personal charisma, and visible strength in leaders. Timothy, often described as younger and potentially less assertive (compare 2 Tim 1:7 on his spirit), might have easily been overlooked or disrespected by the more intellectually and socially competitive Corinthian believers. Paul’s repeated emphasis on "the work of the Lord" underscores that effective ministry isn't about human qualities but about faithful service to God. This principle runs throughout Paul's letters, distinguishing kingdom values from worldly values, particularly as seen in his discussion of weakness and strength in 2 Corinthians (e.g., 2 Cor 12:9-10). Paul frequently dispatched trusted co-workers like Timothy as his extensions to manage complex church issues (1 Cor 4:17; Phil 2:19), making their successful reception critical for the spiritual health of the community. Therefore, this verse isn't just about Timothy, but a practical lesson on how the church should properly evaluate and respect those sent by God, looking beyond superficial human traits.

1 Corinthians 16 11 Commentary

First Corinthians 16:11 is a sharp, direct command from Paul to the Corinthian church concerning the reception of Timothy. It is primarily an exhortation for them to guard against a tendency to despise or look down on spiritual leaders, a problem potentially exacerbated by the Corinthians’ infatuation with human wisdom and eloquence, and perhaps by Timothy’s younger age or quieter disposition. Paul emphatically declares that Timothy’s work is not merely a human endeavor or personal assignment but "the work of the Lord," implying that rejecting or demeaning Timothy's service is effectively rejecting the Lord himself. The clincher is Paul's personal endorsement: "as I myself am," linking Timothy's ministry directly to his own well-established apostolic authority. This preempts any criticisms or attempts to marginalize Timothy, by cloaking him with Paul’s own credibility. The verse powerfully reminds believers that true respect for ministry is rooted in its divine source, not the human instrument. This principle extends to all who faithfully serve God; their value comes from their divine calling and the Master they serve, not from worldly metrics of status or influence.