If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord just as I am; therefore let no one despise him. Send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I am expecting him with the brothers. Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. He will come when he has the opportunity. (1Corinthians 16: 10-12)

Timothy, the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother, was also teaching and preaching. This younger man had been introduced to scripture by his mother, but had otherwise lived a non-Jewish life. Paul circumcised the adult Timothy to improve his credibility in the Jewish community.

Apollos was a contemporary of Paul. A well-educated Alexandrian Jew he had initially been a disciple of John the Baptist. He was introduced to the teachings of Jesus by Aquila and Priscilla. We know that at least some of those at Corinth viewed Apollos, and not Paul, as their spiritual Patron.

It would seem that Paul is not sure where Timothy is or where he might show up. If he comes to Corinth Paul asks that he not be despised; the Greek is closer to being totally ignored. Paul is concerned that Timothy, his most trusted colleague, might arrive in Corinth and simply be dismissed.

Paul has asked Apollos to go on to Corinth, but he has refused. The tradition suggests that Apollos was so disgusted with the Corinthians that he once went to Crete specifically to avoid going to Corinth. Yet much later - after Paul's careful attention has paid off - Apollos becomes the Bishop of Corinth.

The Corinthians are at each others throats. Timothy is out doing his own thing. Apollos is refusing to help. Paul has other priorities. The life of faith is seldom smooth and almost never predictable.

The painting above, by Hanna Cheriyan Varghese, represents Jesus calming the storm on the lake.