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Here again observe, 1. How respectfully this great apostle speaks of Apollos, an inferior minister in the church of Corinth, Our brother Apollos. Nothing better becomes the governors and pastors of the church than humility and condescension, sincere love and affection, a due deference and regard towards those who are under-labourers in our Lord's vineyard, to own and treat them as brethren, co-workers and fellow-helpers with them. God has not made his ministers lions to tear one another, nor bulls to gore each other; but shepherds to watch over, and nurses to cherish, one another: Our brother Apollos.
Observe, 2. How St. Paul, though a dignified person, a great apostle, left Apollos, an inferior minister of the gospel, to judge for himself, whether he had best go to Corinth, or forbear: I desired him to come to you, but his will was not to come. He did not suspend him, or silence him, for not obeying the voice of an apostle: but lets him take his choice.
There may be, and sometimes are, particular cases and circumstances relating to ourselves and our people, (as about going from them, or continuing with them,) which none can adjust and determine as well as ourselves. Perhaps Apollos here had greater and stronger reasons for his refusing, than St. Paul had for his requesting him, to go to Corinth: however, the great apostle only desired him to go, not censuring him for his denial, but leaving him to the determination of himself, whose will was not at all to come to them at that time.
Observe, 3. What might probably be the reason why Apollos had no inclination to go to Corinth at this time; no, not at the solicitation of St. Paul himself. Perhaps it was because he would not encourage or give the least countenance to a faction which was there begun under the authority of his name, 1Co_1:12.
Some said, I am of Apollos. A pious and prudent minister of Jesus Christ seeks not his own applause, or his people's admiration; but what he does is with a special respect to their edification in holiness, for preserving unity, and promoting love among each other.
Afterwards, when St. Paul had by his epistle allayed those heats, and healed those divisions which prevailed amongst them, we find Apollos did return to Corinth, and was no doubt very acceptable to them, and serviceable among them.