1 Corinthians 16:10
“Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.”
What does 1 Corinthians 16:10 mean?
Paul is asking the Corinthians to welcome Timothy warmly and make him feel secure during his visit, without letting disagreement or tension push him away. Timothy was Paul's young coworker and representative, sent to help strengthen the church while Paul was away, so Paul wanted the community to receive him as they would Paul himself. The phrase "without fear" suggests that Timothy might have been naturally anxious or that the Corinthians had a reputation for being difficult to manage, so Paul is essentially asking them to be kind and supportive. This is a gentle reminder that how we treat someone doing faithful work matters, and that welcoming others in Jesus's name is part of our own service to God.