1._But concerning the collection _Luke relates (Acts 11:28) that the prediction of Agabus, foretelling that there would be a famine under Claudius Caesar, gave occasion for alms being collected by the saints, with the view of affording help to the brethren in Jerusalem. For though the Prophet had fo... [ Continue Reading ]
2._On one of the Sabbaths. _The end is this — that they may have their alms ready in time. He therefore exhorts them not to wait till he came, as anything that is done suddenly, and in a bustle, is not done well, but to contribute on the Sabbath what might seem good, and according as every one’s abi... [ Continue Reading ]
3._And when I come _As we are cheerful in giving, when we know for certain, that what we give is well laid out, he points out to the Corinthians a method, by which they may be assured of a good and faithful administration — by selecting approved persons, to whom they may intrust the matter. Nay more... [ Continue Reading ]
5._When I shall pass through Macedonia _The common opinion is, that this espistle was sent from Philippi. Persons coming thence to Corinth by land, required to pass through Macedonia; for that colony is situated in the farthest extremity, towards the Emathian mountains. Paul, it is true, might, inst... [ Continue Reading ]
8._I will remain. _From this statement I have argued above, that this epistle was sent from Ephesus, rather than from Philippi. For the probability is, that the Apostle speaks of the place in which he was at the time, and not of a place, in going to which he would require to make a long circuit; and... [ Continue Reading ]
9._For a great and effectual door is opened to me. _He assigns two reasons for remaining for a longer time at Ephesus — 1st, Because an opportunity is afforded him there of furthering the gospel; and 2dly, Because, in consequence of the great number of _adversaries _that were there, his presence was... [ Continue Reading ]
10._But if Timothy come. _He speaks as if he were not as yet certain as to his coming. Now he charges them as to Timothy, so that he may be with them in safety — not as though he were in danger of his life among them, but because he would have enemies of Christ (166) to oppose him. He wishes, theref... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Let no man, therefore, despise him _Here we have a _second _charge, _that they may not despise _him — perhaps because he was as yet of a youthful age, which usually draws forth less respect. He wishes them, therefore, to take care, that there be no hinderance in the way of this faithful minister... [ Continue Reading ]
12._As to our brother Apollos. _He had succeeded Paul in the work of building up the Corinthians; and hence he has in previous passages ascribed to him the office of _watering. _(1 Corinthians 3:6, and Acts 19:1.) He now states a reason why he does not come with the others, and he states the reason... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Watch ye_. A short exhortation, but of great weight. He exhorts them to _watch, _in order that Satan may not oppress them, finding them off their guard. For as the warfare is incessant, the _watching _requires to be incessant too. Now watchfulness of spirit is this — when, free and disentangled... [ Continue Reading ]
14._Let all your things be done in love _Again he repeats what is the rule in all those transactions, in which we have dealings with one another. He wishes, then, that _love _shall be the directress; because the Corinthians erred chiefly in this respect — that every one looked to himself without car... [ Continue Reading ]
15._Ye know the house of Stephanas _We know, from daily experience, of what advantage it is, that those should have the highest authority, whom God has adorned with the most distinguished gifts. Accordingly, if we wish to secure the welfare of the Church, let us always take care that honor be confer... [ Continue Reading ]
19._With the Church that is in their house _A magnificent eulogium, inasmuch as the name of the Church is applied to a single family! At the same time it is befitting, that all the families of the pious should be regulated in such a manner as to be so many little Churches. As to the term _Congregati... [ Continue Reading ]
20._Salute one another with a holy kiss. _The practice of kissing was very common among the Jews, as is manifest from the Scriptures. In _Greece, _though it was not so common and customary, it was by no means unknown; but the probability is, that Paul speaks here of a solemn kiss, with which they sa... [ Continue Reading ]
22._If any man love not the Lord Jesus _The close of the Epistle consists of _three _parts. He entreats the grace of Christ in behalf of the Corinthians: he makes a declaration of his love towards them, and, with the severest threatening, he inveighs against those that falsely took upon themselves t... [ Continue Reading ]