The fact that Timothy will return directly to Paul, who will be expecting him,
should demonstrate to the the church that Timothy is coming to them with Paul’s authority. Paul has a deep interest in Timothy’s visit to the Corinthians and will soon find out how he has been received by them.
When Paul asks the Corinthians to send Timothy back in peace,
he is using an expression that was typical in biblical times, especially among the Jews (Exodus 4:18; 1 Samuel 20:42; 2 Kings 5:19; Mark 5:34; Luke 7:50; Luke 8:48; Acts 15:33; Acts 16:36; James 2:16).
The phrase with the brothers
can mean either that Paul is expecting Timothy and the brothers who are travelling with him (Erastus being one of them, Acts 19:22), or that Paul and some other brothers (perhaps Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, 1 Corinthians 16:17) are awaiting Timothy’s return.
Timothy would travel to Corinth via Macedonia (Acts 19:22), while Paul’s letter would be sent to Corinth by ship. Therefore, the letter would reach Corinth before Timothy’s arrival. We do not know how long it took Timothy to reach Corinth, how long he stayed there, or how he was received. Less than two years later, when Paul was writing 2 Corinthians, Timothy was with him again. This time Paul wrote on behalf of himself and Timothy our brother
(2 Corinthians 1:1).
11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.