Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 16:12
Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church regarding travel logistics for Apollos, placing this practical matter immediately before his commands to remain alert and stand firm in the faith.
The words — The Greek term παρεκάλεσα (parekalesa) literally means "I exhorted" or "I urged," recording Paul's direct and persistent appeal to Apollos to visit the congregation.
The thread — This note on Apollos follows earlier warnings against Corinthian factions forming around him and Paul (1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 3:5) and aligns with the historical record of Apollos as an eloquent Jewish teacher from Alexandria (Acts 18:24).
Why it lands — The text records a practical delay in ministry travel due to timing and opportunity, requiring the reader to accept that apostolic coordination operates within human constraints rather than immediate compliance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 1:12 What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.
- Acts 18:24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures.
- 1 Corinthians 3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you,
- Titus 3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
- Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
- Mark 6:21 On Herod’s birthday, her opportunity arose. Herod held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
- Acts 24:25 As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”