Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
1 Corinthians 16:11 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 11. 11Let 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.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse forbids despising Timothy and requires peaceful travel support.
Read It With
- 1 Corinthians 16:5–12
Read 1 Corinthians 16:11 with 16:5–12. This verse forbids despising Timothy and requires peaceful travel support. The complete unit establishes: Paul shares contingent travel plans: he hopes for extended time and partnership after Macedonia, remains at Ephesus because work is open despite opposition, asks that Timothy be received without fear and contempt, and reports that Apollos declined the present invitation but may come later.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The itinerary shows real relational coordination while repeatedly limiting apostolic plans by the Lord's permission, circumstances, another worker's safety, and Apollos's own will. At 16:11, the distinct clause is “Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace.”
Follow the Context
- Paul expects to travel through Macedonia and perhaps winter in Corinth.
- He wants more than a passing visit if the Lord permits.
- He remains in Ephesus amid opportunity and opposition.
- Timothy must be able to work without fear or contempt.
- The community should send Timothy onward in peace.
- Paul strongly invited Apollos, but Apollos chose not to come now.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace”
In plain language: This is the verse's opening clause in the pinned KJV.
It contributes specifically to Travel Plans Remain Relational and Contingent inside 1 Corinthians 16:5–12.
Why it matters: The verse carries enough interpretive or pastoral weight to require the full unit and its explicit limits.
How certain? probableWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
Opposition does not prove a project is right or excuse unsafe persistence.
What Remains True
At 1 Corinthians 16:11, Faithful plans remain contingent, collaborative, protective of coworkers, and respectful of another person's timing.
How It Can Shape Life
- For 1 Corinthians 16:11, State plans as plans, provide safe reception and travel support, and honor a coworker's no without spiritual pressure.
Teach It Back
Explain 1 Corinthians 16:11's contribution to 1 Corinthians 16:5–12. Include the surrounding argument, the named interpretive uncertainty, and one use the verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read 1 Corinthians 16:5–12 — Travel Plans Remain Relational and ContingentSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
The date of the letter and relation to Acts and later Corinthian visits are debated; Ephesus as the current location is probable.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 1 Corinthians 16:5–12, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 1Cor.txt, 16:5–12
Open the 1 Corinthians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - 1 Corinthians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 1 Corinthians 16:5–12 print view with translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 1 Corinthians PDFLexical and grammatical evidence
STEP Bible Data
Tyndale House Cambridge
Tyndale House Cambridge, repository snapshot verified 2026
Supports: Independent morphology and lexical-range cross-check for material Greek claims.
Exact location: STEP Bible Data repository morphology and lexical records for 1 Corinthians 16:5–12
Open source ↗modern open commentary
1 Corinthians
Eric C. Redmond
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, 2023
Supports: Whole-letter movement, Corinthian setting, bibliography, major alternatives, and verse-level interpretation.
Exact location: Redmond, The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary: 1 Corinthians, introduction and section on 16:5–12
Open source ↗