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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(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 (Acts 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 Acts 20:6; Acts 20:13; Acts 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 Acts 20:38; Acts 21:5).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

16:1-9 The good examples of other Christians and churches should rouse us. It is good to lay up in store for good uses. Those who are rich in this world, should be rich in good works, 1Ti 6:17,18. The diligent hand will not make rich, without the Divine blessing, Pr 10:4,22. And what more proper to stir us up to charity to the people and children of God, than to look at all we have as his gift? Works of mercy are real fruits of true love to God, and are therefore proper services on his own day. Ministers are doing their proper business, when putting forward, or helping works of charity. The heart of a Christian minister must be towards the people among whom he has laboured long, and with success. All our purposes must be made with submission to the Divine providence, Jas 4:15. Adversaries and opposition do not break the spirits of faithful and successful ministers, but warm their zeal, and inspire them with fresh courage. A faithful minister is more discouraged by the hardness of his hearers' hearts, and the backslidings of professors, than by the enemies' attempts.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 Acts 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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

6. He did "abide and even winter" for the three WINTER months in Greece (Corinth), Ac 20:3, 6; from which passage it seems that Paul probably left Corinth about a month before the "days of unleavened bread" or the Passover (so as to allow time to touch at Thessalonica and Berea, from which cities two of his companions were; as we read he did at Philippi); so that thus the three months at Corinth would be December, January, and February [Birks, Horæ Apostolicæ].

ye—emphatical in the Greek.

whithersoever I go—He purposed to go to Judea (2Co 1:16) from Corinth, but his plans were not positively fixed as yet (see on [2298]1Co 16:4; compare Ac 19:21).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

He did stay in Greece three months, Acts 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, Acts 15:3 17:15 20:38.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire 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, Acts 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 Acts 15:3.

Geneva Study Bible

And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. And it may be that I will abide] Better, that I shall abide. The Apostle (Acts 20:3) was enabled to carry out this half promise.

and winter with you] The navigation of the Aegaean was dangerous in the winter (Acts 27:9; Acts 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 Acts 15:3; Acts 20:38; Acts 21:5; Romans 15:24, &c also 1 Corinthians 16:11.

Bengel's Gnomen

1 Corinthians 16:6. Τυχὸν, perhaps) He speaks very familiarly.—οὗ ἐὰν, whithersoever) For the sake of modesty he does not express how far he may be thinking to go, Acts 19:21.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - Yea, and winter with you. This he did (Acts 20:3-6). That ye may bring me on my journey. The "ye" is emphatic. The acceptance of this favour at their hands was a proof of affection. It was the custom in ancient days to accompany a departing guest for a short distance (Romans 15:24; Acts 15:3; Acts 17:15). Whithersoever I go. St. Paul well knew that some uncertainty must attach to his plans. As it was, he had to change his plan at the last moment. He had meant to sail from Corinth, but, owing to a plot to assassinate him, he was obliged to go overland round by Macedonia (Acts 20:3). Ver. 7 - For I will not see you now by the way; rather, I do not wish to pay you a cursory visit now, as I had originally meant to do. If the Lord permit. The Christians made a rule of adding these phrases in sign of dependence upon God (2 Corinthians 4:19; Acts 18:1; James 4:15; Hebrews 6:3). 1 Corinthians 16:6