1 Corinthians 4:17 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

For this cause That you may be better able to trace my steps, and may be animated to do it with the greater care; I have sent unto you Timotheus, my beloved son One whom I love with an entire fatherly affection, as if he were my son, 2 Timothy 1:2. Elsewhere he styles him brother, but here paternal affection takes place. And faithful in the Lord In the Lord's work, (Philippians 2:20,) and by his assistance; who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways My Christian course of life for your imitation, 1 Corinthians 4:16. As I teach everywhere According to the constant tenor of my preaching. With regard to Paul's sending Timothy to Corinth, the case seems to have been this: the great success with which the apostle preached at Ephesus having induced him to remain a while longer there, after he heard of the dissensions in Corinth, he judged it proper to send Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, (of which mention is made Acts 19:22,) to learn how matters stood at Corinth. And if, on the information they received, they should judge their presence would be of use in composing the disagreements among the Corinthians, they were to go forward and attempt it, by putting them in remembrance of the apostle's doctrine and practice. Yet it appears from 1 Corinthians 16:10, where he says, if Timothy come, that he was uncertain whether he went to Corinth or not.