1 Corinthians 16:21

The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand (KJV)

Then: Paul took over from Sosthenes, the amanuensis (letter writer), in order to let the Corinthians know how much he cared.

Now: Most of the time people use email or type-face letters, but at the bottom of a card or letter, people add an extr a hand written note. This makes it personal and is the part that is always read.

1 Corinthians 16:12

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 (KJV)

Then: Paul already knows the esteem of many Corinthians for Apollos. He doesn't need to spend a lot of time talking about him, but it is important that the Corinthians know about those plans too. Apollos plans to come at a convenient time.

Now: The sentence ends Paul's discussion about practical matters of travel. The interesting thing for today's believers is our chance to relate Paul's decisions about ministry and his knowledge of Christ, and his teachings about them to the real world. We can evaluate what worked, what didn't, and consider why. We evaluate how to match his goals with our efforts in teaching Christ. At the same time, learning about Paul reflects how God sent us his Son. He too is anchored in a specifc time and what he teaches makes sense for us today just as much as it did for those in first century. Christ is nont a metaphysical, shadowy, New Age kind of concept. He is real - showing us the way to love God and love others.

1 Corinthians 16:7

For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit (KJV)

Then: Finally Paul brings in the Lord. All planning needs submitted to him. His servants must be ever ready to change and use new opportunities or deal with barriers. This is a quick reminder.

Now: Using 2 Corinthians 2:1-4 Baker (p. 244) discusses how radically Paul's plans changed. After making a direct, but not-so-great quick trip to Corinth, he returned to Ephesus, wrote them a severe (missing) letter, and settled on his original plan of going up through Macedonia.

Extra Source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.

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 (KJV)

Then: Paul hopes to be there and stay awhile, perhaps through the winter before leaving again. Possibly he's not sure which churches will next need his presence because he indicates his plans after that are not yet formed. Baker (p. 243) brings up Romans 15:24 where Paul voices desire to head to Spain.

Now: Churches spend a lot of time looking ahead, finding ways to grow their individual ministries by working with local and foreign missions. Planning is always an integral part of church growth.

Extra Source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.

1 Corinthians 16:5

Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia (KJV)

Then: In this and the next four verses, Paul talks about his travel plans. He must have raised the hopes of many who read and heard the letter. Specifically he's heading to Macedonia and Corinth is logically part of that trip.

Now: Paul's travel plans are of historical interest in understanding Paul's life and ministry. Paul expected to leave Ephesus (Wright, p. 230 says midsummer), head north and go through the top part of Greece, then circle back down to come through Corinth.