1 Corinthians 16:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He does not speak of all this with precision in vain, but discloses it to them as to friends. For it belongs to friendship to state the reason why one does not come, why one delays, and where one is.

This too is a sign of strong love, that he tells them where he will be, how long he will remain, and even adds the reason. For he continues.

With the Ephesians the Apostle celebrates Pentecost and transmits the mysteries to them. He is comforted in spirit, because he sees in them the fervent ardor of faith.

For many approach the preaching, but many also oppose it and strive to hinder the salvation of the former.

Then he promises to undertake a journey to Corinth after completing his affairs in Ephesus, where he hopes to remain until Pentecost. He intends to choose the road through Macedonia (1 Cor 16:5-9).

In the Apostle’s notice about visiting the Corinthians, this is especially worthy of note: he promises not to be with them in passing, as with the Romans, but would like the Lord to allow him even to winter with them.

So close did he consider the Corinthians to himself. So highly did he value staying with them, as with his own children.

There was a great deal of time from Pentecost, which he wished to spend in Ephesus, until the Corinthian winter. The journey was not very far, though it was difficult, for he wished to go overland through Macedonia.

Yet the Apostle Paul did not happen to spend Pentecost in Ephesus. The wide door of preaching of which he spoke, having in view the readiness of many to receive Christianity, opened before him earlier.

“He does not speak of all this with precision in vain, but discloses everything to them as to friends. For it belongs to friendship to state the reason why one does not come, why one delays, and where one is” (Chrysostom). This plan was hardly fulfilled, because, on account of the disturbance caused by Demetrius the silversmith, Saint Paul seems to have had to leave Ephesus somewhat earlier. Yet he spent the winter with them. This is clear from the fact that, after spending three months in Greece, he kept the days of Unleavened Bread in Philippi on the return journey (Acts 20:6). He hoped to arrive in Jerusalem by Pentecost (Acts 20:16).