1 Cor 16:10-11 Now if Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear~~ among you, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I am too. 11 So then, let no one treat him with contempt. But send*~ him on his way in peace so that he may come to me. For I am expecting him with the brothers.
Mentoring is the next step beyond discipleship. Paul wanted all churches to learn how to treat young servants of God.
The command in 1 Corinthians 16:10–-11 is not just for Timothy. It is given to demonstrate to us how to treat those who teach us God’s word. Timothy and Erastus were sent to Macedonia (Acts 19:22) while Paul remained in Asia.
Timothy had a reputation of being “well spoken of” by other Christians (Acts 16:2–-3), and Paul sent him to Philippi with this commendation: “I have no one like–minded, who will sincerely care for your state . . . you know his proven character” (Phil 2:20–-22).
Paul gives three commands to the Corinthian church concerning helping young ministers. First, the verb means they were to make sure Timothy was “unafraid of what might happen” to him or was “put at complete ease.” Timothy was worthy of honor.
Second, no one was to “treat him with contempt,” which means “to treat with scorn.” He should never be treated as a nobody.
Third, they were to “send him on his way,” which means “to fit him out with the requisites for a journey.” He was to be sent back to Paul “in peace.” John wrote about how to treat those with itinerating or missionary ministries, saying, “If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name’s sake” (2 Jn 5–-7). They were to be honored for the sake of the ministry.
Paul always served in a team effort, considering the others just as essential to the mission as he was. For example, he called Epaphroditus “my brother, and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need” (Phil 2:25). The ministry is a team effort, not of one or two, but of all coworkers. Do you build up the value of all your coworkers?
“Lord, teach me not to be critical or intimidating but to be a blessing to all who serve You with their lives. May all Your servants feel appreciated and encouraged because I bless them as I would bless You.”