1 Corinthians 16:12 appears near the close of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. After addressing matters of doctrine, ethics, and worship, Paul turns to personal and logistical concerns (ch. 16). In this verse, he explains the situation with Apollos — a respected teacher in Corinth (cf. 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:4–6). Some Corinthians evidently wanted Apollos to return. Paul clarifies that while he urged Apollos to visit, Apollos chose not to do so at the present time, intending to come later when opportunity allowed.
Structural Analysis
Περὶ δὲ Ἀπολλῶ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ
πολλὰ παρεκάλεσα αὐτὸν ἵνα ἔλθῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς μετὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν·
καὶ πάντως οὐκ ἦν θέλημα ἵνα νῦν ἔλθῃ,
ἐλεύσεται δὲ ὅταν εὐκαιρήσῃ.
The verse unfolds in four main segments:
- Περὶ δὲ Ἀπολλῶ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ — introduces the subject: “Now concerning Apollos the brother…”
- πολλὰ παρεκάλεσα αὐτόν… — Paul’s efforts to persuade him to come.
- καὶ πάντως οὐκ ἦν θέλημα… — Apollos’s unwillingness to come at present.
- ἐλεύσεται δὲ ὅταν εὐκαιρήσῃ — assurance of a future visit “when he has opportunity.”
Semantic Nuances
Περὶ δὲ Ἀπολλῶ — “Now concerning Apollos.” The phrase περὶ δὲ marks a transition to a new topic — a common Pauline formula for responding to issues raised by the Corinthians.
τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ — “the brother.” A term of Christian affection and respect. Paul affirms Apollos as a co-laborer.
πολλὰ παρεκάλεσα αὐτόν — “I strongly urged him.” The verb παρακαλέω can mean “to exhort,” “to encourage,” or “to plead with.” The adverb πολλὰ emphasizes intensity and persistence.
ἵνα ἔλθῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς — “that he might come to you.” The subjunctive ἔλθῃ (aorist) reflects the intended result of Paul’s urging.
μετὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν — “with the brothers.” Likely referring to a group of fellow workers or traveling companions.
καὶ πάντως οὐκ ἦν θέλημα — “and it was absolutely not his will.” The adverb πάντως here means “at all” or “by any means,” stressing Apollos’s firm decision. θέλημα refers to volition or intent — it was not his desire.
ἵνα νῦν ἔλθῃ — “that he come now.” The present timing was the issue — not the visit itself, but the immediacy.
ἐλεύσεται δὲ ὅταν εὐκαιρήσῃ — “but he will come when he has opportunity.” The future middle ἐλεύσεται gives assurance of eventual arrival. ὅταν εὐκαιρήσῃ — “when he finds a good time” — uses the aorist subjunctive of εὐκαιρέω, meaning to have a favorable or opportune time.
Syntactical Insight
Paul’s statement is careful: while he vigorously encouraged Apollos to visit, he respects Apollos’s agency. The imperfect ἦν paired with οὐ θέλημα indicates an ongoing state of unwillingness. The use of ἵνα twice — once with Paul’s urging, once with Apollos’s refusal — draws attention to the distinction between Paul’s desire and Apollos’s discretion.
The final clause ἐλεύσεται δὲ ὅταν εὐκαιρήσῃ is eschatological in tone but practical in content — signaling confident expectation without fixed timing.
Historical and Cultural Background
Apollos was an eloquent Alexandrian teacher (cf. Acts 18:24–28) who had greatly impacted the Corinthian church. Some believers favored him over Paul (1 Cor. 1:12; 3:4–6), leading to divisions. Paul’s careful tone here avoids fueling factionalism. By emphasizing that Apollos’s decision was independent, Paul subtly disarms any notion that the two were in rivalry.
Travel logistics and local circumstances may have also influenced Apollos’s timing — possibly strategic delay to avoid inflaming Corinthian party-spirit.
Intertextuality
- 1 Corinthians 3:6: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” — highlighting cooperative ministry.
- Acts 18:27: Apollos was commended to the believers and helped greatly — showing his credibility.
- 1 Corinthians 1:12: “Each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos’…” — showing the potential source of tension.
Hermeneutical Reflection
1 Corinthians 16:12 teaches us about leadership, freedom, and unity. The Greek text highlights Paul’s pastoral sensitivity. He παρεκάλεσα — urged — not commanded. And Apollos οὐκ ἦν θέλημα — was not willing, and Paul respected that. The church belongs not to personalities, but to Christ. Paul does not manipulate Apollos’s reputation or force his hand — he trusts in God’s timing and in the maturity of both his co-worker and the church.
The Liberty of the Willing Servant
Paul’s words are filled with grace: παρεκάλεσα — I encouraged him. οὐκ ἦν θέλημα — it wasn’t his desire right now. ἐλεύσεται — but he will come. Gospel ministry in the Greek text of 1 Corinthians 16:12 is neither manipulative nor panicked. It is mature, free, and anchored in wisdom. Leaders are not tools — they are brothers. And in the Spirit’s time, the brother will arrive.
