1 Corinthians 16:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They might have been displeased with these persons, because these were the very men who came and reported their disorders to Paul. Through them also it had been written to him about virginity and marriage. See, then, how at the very beginning of the epistle he calmed them, when he said: "For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you" (1 Cor 1:11).

There, while pointing to them, he also concealed them. Of course, he mentions them here. Now he says: "They supplied what was lacking on your part, for they refreshed my spirit and yours." By this he shows that they came to him in place of all, and for their sake resolved to undertake such a journey.

With what other feelings could the Apostle Paul have received them, if not with feelings of joy? They were dear guests from a distant land, and moreover they had come with a question concerning the salvation of the soul and Christian life.

It is pleasant for a father to hear the thoughtful, inquisitive questions of his son. In the same way, and even more joyfully, the holy Apostle saw and heard the three Corinthians. The Apostle says in verse 17: I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus. They have supplied what was lacking on your part for me. With them as your representatives I saw you, conversed with you, and seemed to have seen all of you.

The Corinthians sent a letter with them and asked the Apostle about those who had married. With them the Apostle also sent this epistle. Blessed Timothy, as some supposed, did not serve as the bearer of the writing. Although he had been sent to them, he probably fulfilled another need in another city and only afterward came to them. What is written about him leads to this thought, for it says, “If Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear.” The Apostle commends these men with special care, so that the Corinthians would not grieve them through suspicion that they had been accusers of the Corinthians.

Fortunatus and Achaicus are among the seventy Apostles. Perhaps they were also of the household of Chloe, about whom Paul wrote at the beginning of his epistle: "For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household" (Chrysostom on 1 Cor 1:11).

The Corinthians sent these men, together with Stephanas, to Paul with a writing that contained questions about marriage, virginity, and sacrifices offered to idols. When they came to him, they told him about the schism among the Corinthians, about the fornicator, and also that some of them said there was no resurrection of the dead (1 Cor 15:12).

After this, exhorting them to steadfastness in faith and love, he instills respect for the household of Stephanas and for Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus personally, the envoys of the Corinthians (1 Cor 16:13-18).

As always, and especially in times of disorder, great beneficial importance belongs not to many persons, but to the chosen, who are strong in firmness of faith and Christian wisdom. Such firm pillars were also found among the Corinthians.

The Apostle points to them in the person of Stephanas, his household, and those like them, Fortunatus and Achaicus. The Apostle commands that they be followed as true Christians who seek the profit of the Church and assist in the salvation of her members. Their opponents are to be avoided as harmful and dangerous people.

Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus were envoys from the Corinthians. They brought a letter from them, to which St. Paul answered point by point. He says that he rejoiced at their coming, because in their persons he saw all of them.

He expresses strong love for them, testifying that he would have wished to see all of them, but they were not there. These envoys made up for that deprivation of them. At the same time, by this expression of joy he approves those who sent them for their choice.

He also praises those who were sent, because they bore themselves so worthily that they in no way diminished the joy their first meeting had brought. "In praising those who came to him, he at the same time gives praise to the others, joining those who sent them with those who were sent.

"They came to him in place of all, represented the whole city in themselves, and were representatives of all the faithful Corinthians" (St. Chrysostom).