1 Corinthians 16:11
Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
Original Language Analysis
μή
no
G3361
μή
no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 20
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
3 of 20
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰρήνῃ
peace
G1515
εἰρήνῃ
peace
Strong's:
G1515
Word #:
10 of 20
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
ἔλθῃ
he may come
G2064
ἔλθῃ
he may come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
12 of 20
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρός
unto
G4314
πρός
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 20
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
ἐκδέχομαι
I look for
G1551
ἐκδέχομαι
I look for
Strong's:
G1551
Word #:
15 of 20
to accept from some source, i.e., (by implication) to await
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
Cross References
1 Timothy 4:12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.Acts 15:33And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.1 Corinthians 16:6And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.1 Corinthians 16:10Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.Titus 2:15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Historical Context
The command not to despise Timothy parallels 1 Timothy 4:12, where Paul tells Timothy "Let no man despise thy youth." Apparently Timothy faced chronic credibility challenges, perhaps exacerbated by Paul's own unpopularity in some quarters. Ancient Mediterranean culture highly valued age, rhetorical skill, and forceful personality—attributes Timothy apparently lacked.
Questions for Reflection
- What makes churches susceptible to despising faithful ministers who lack impressive credentials or charisma?
- How does Paul's defense of Timothy challenge celebrity culture in modern ministry?
- What does 'conducting someone forth in peace' look like in contemporary church practice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Let no man therefore despise him—Exoutheneō (ἐξουθενέω, "despise, treat with contempt") suggests the Corinthians might reject Timothy due to his youth or unimpressive presence. The same verb appears in Luke 23:11 for Herod's soldiers mocking Jesus. Church factions valuing eloquence, status, and forceful personality (qualities they perceived in Apollos or Peter but found lacking in Paul—2 Corinthians 10:10) might dismiss Timothy as insignificant.
But conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me—Propempō en eirēnē (προπέμπω ἐν εἰρήνῃ, "send forward in peace") means providing travel support and cordial farewell, not hostile dismissal. Timothy's mission was to report back to Paul about Corinthian conditions. For I look for him with the brethren—Paul expected Timothy to return with companions, perhaps the delegation mentioned in verse 17.