Austin Bible Church
Paul established the church at Corinth. There were many believers already at Corinth. Acts 18:1; Acts 18:10.
“After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth.” (Acts 18:1, NASB)
“for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city."” (Acts 18:10, NASB)
Apollos began to minister while Paul was still there. Paul left Corinth after 18 months, leaving Apollos there to minister. Acts 18:24; Acts 19:1.
“Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures.” (Acts 18:24, NASB)
“It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples.” (Acts 19:1, NASB)
Problems developed in the church at Corinth with divisions and factions over Apollos and Paul. Apollos left Corinth because of the conflict and went to Paul at Ephesus. Paul tried to get him to return but he refused. 1 Cor. 1 tyhrough 1 Cor. 3; 1 Cor. 16:12.
“But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.” (1 Corinthians 16:12, NASB)
Paul got letters from the house of Chloe from Corinth for help. 1 Cor. 1:10-12.
“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."” (1 Corinthians 1:10-12, NASB)
Paul sent Timothy who was not able to straighten out the problems. Apparently he was accompanied by Silvanus. 1 Cor. 4:17; 1 Cor. 16:10; 2 Cor. 1:19.
“For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.” (1 Corinthians 4:17, NASB)
“Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord's work, as I also am.” (1 Corinthians 16:10, NASB)
“For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.” (2 Corinthians 1:19, NASB)
Paul assigned Timothy to Ephesus at the beginning the third journey into Macedonia and to Corinth. 1 Tim. 1:2.
“To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (1 Timothy 1:2, NASB)
Paul sent Titus on ahead to Corinth to straighten out the problems, apparently to meet at Troas. Titus didn’t show there soon enough, so Paul went on into Macedonia. 2 Cor. 2:12-13; 2 Cor. 7:5.
“Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.” (2 Corinthians 2:12-13, NASB)
“For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.” (2 Corinthians 7:5, NASB)
Paul and Titus united in Macedonia with Titus and conveyed the success of his mission. Titus had taken care of the problems. 2 Cor. 7:6-7; 2 Cor. 7:13-15.
“But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.” (2 Corinthians 7:6-7, NASB)
“For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth. His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.” (2 Corinthians 7:13-15, NASB)
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians explaining that he wanted to send Titus to them again to finish the good job that he had begun there. 2 Cor. 8:6.
“So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.” (2 Corinthians 8:6, NASB)
Paul returned to Jerusalem and stopped off near Ephesus to send Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia for a brief ministry while he remained a brief time in Asia on his way to Jerusalem and his sure fate. Acts 19:21-22.
“Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.” (Acts 19:21-22, NASB)