1 Corinthians 16:7

For I do not wish to see you now by the way; for I hope to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost; for a great and effectual door is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

I do not wish to see you ... The reason given was that he desired a longer visit than was possible at present; but this was also related to the deplorable conditions at Corinth. A short visit would not give sufficient time for working out all of the problems; besides, given time for the letter he was writing to have its effect, there might be fewer problems to solve at a later time.

If the Lord permit ... Paul's plans were made like those of any other Christian, subject to the sovereign will of God; and this was fittingly recognized by the apostle. The notion that the Holy Spirit was directing on a day-to-day basis every move that Paul made is surely denied by these words.

At Ephesus until Pentecost ... Pentecost was one of the three great national feasts of the Jews which fell in the May-June period. For full discussion of Pentecost, see my Commentary on Acts, pp. 31-35.

A great and effectual door ... The marvelous opportunity for Paul at Ephesus was one of the reasons assigned for his intention of staying longer.

And there are many adversaries ... To some people, this hardly would have appeared as a reason for staying; but Paul reasoned that where Satan had stirred up great opposition to the truth, there must also be great opportunities for saving people. The bold and dauntless courage of Paul shines in a remark like this. There are many New Testament accounts of the enemies he encountered and vanquished (Acts 20:19; Acts 19:23, etc.).