XVI. (1) NOW CONCERNING THE COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS. — This chapter deals briefly with the following subjects: — 1 Corinthians 16:1. The collection for the poor at Jerusalem. 1 Corinthians 16:5. The Apostle’s prospective arrangement, as to his journey. 1 Corinthians 16:10. Commendation of vari... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. — The Greek phrase (as given in the best MSS.) is literally, _on one of the Sabbaths_ — that being, after a Hebrew idiom, equivalent to “the day next after the Sabbath.” Already the day of the week on which Christ had risen had become noted as a suitable day for disti... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOMSOEVER YE SHALL APPROVE BY YOUR LETTERS. — Better, _whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send by letters to bring your gifts to Jerusalem._ The Apostle had not made up his mind finally whether he would take the gift himself or send it by messengers, whom he would accredit with letters, to th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I DO PASS THROUGH MACEDONIA. — A misrepresentation of these words gives rise to the incorrect statement that this Epistle was written at Philippi, which is to be found in the subscription at the end of this chapter in our English Bible. The Apostle does not here refer to where he is at the momen... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT MAY BE THAT I WILL ABIDE... — His former plan had involved but a brief visit to the Church at Corinth, but the arrangement which he now contemplated would permit of a longer stay, and so he adds, with affectionate emphasis, “that _you_ may send me on my journey.” Whither he would go from Cori... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I WILL NOT SEE YOU NOW BY THE WAY. — Here again is a reference to his changed intention. (See 1 Corinthians 16:5.)... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I WILL TARRY AT EPHESUS. — In this and the following verse the Apostle returns to his immediate plans at Ephesus. It was probably now about Easter-time (see 1 Corinthians 16:7), and the hostility of enemies increases. (See Acts 19:9.) That must be subdued. A door has been opened wide for the eff... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IF TIMOTHEUS COME... — Timothy and Erastus had been sent (see 1 Corinthians 4:17) by St. Paul to remind the Corinthians of his former teaching, and to rebuke and check those evils of which rumours had reached the ears of the Apostle. As, however, they would travel through Macedonia, delaying _en... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I LOOK FOR HIM WITH THE BRETHREN. — Timothy and Erastus (Acts 19:22) had been sent through Macedonia to Corinth some time before this Epistle was written, but when they had been despatched the full knowledge of the state of affairs at Corinth had not reached St. Paul. Now that he knows how very... [ Continue Reading ]
AS TOUCHING OUR BROTHER APOLLOS. — St. Paul, free from the smallest spark of personal jealousy, had wished that Apollos, whose name had been used as the designation of a faction in opposition to the Apostle himself, should go with this letter to Corinth. St. Paul had planted, Apollos had watered tha... [ Continue Reading ]
WATCH YE, STAND FAST. — These words of stirring exhortation come in here somewhat abruptly. It is possible that they conclude the epistle so far — the Apostle intending to add immediately before sending it, the verses which follow, and which contain messages from, or commendations of their friends w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUSE OF STEPHANAS. — The Apostle here reminds the Corinthians that the devotion of teachers, and all who serve in the gospel ministry, ought to be rewarded with a return of sympathy and devotion on the part of those whom they serve. There is in the original a characteristic play upon words here... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHURCHES OF ASIA SALUTE YOU. — This and the following verse are occupied with the salutations from the churches throughout Asia; from the church in the house of Aquila and Priscilla; and finally, from “all the brethren.” Aquila and Priscilla had been the Apostle’s friends at Corinth (Acts 18:1),... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HOLY KISS. — The kiss was the ordinary form of affectionate greeting in the East. The Church adopted it; and when thus interchanged between those whose bond of friendship was not earthly, but spiritual, it was designated “the holy kiss.” (See Romans 16:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:26.) The practice was... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SALUTATION OF ME PAUL WITH MINE OWN HAND. — It was the Apostle’s habit to dictate his Epistles, but to add a few words at the end in his own handwriting. (See 2 Thessalonians 3:17.) The concluding verses here are accordingly St. Paul’s autograph. The earlier portions had been written by Sosthene... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN LOVE NOT THE LORD JESUS. — From all the argument and controversy which form the main portion of the Epistle, the Apostle with his own hand brings back the thoughts of the Corinthians to the true test of their Christianity. Do they love the Lord Jesus? The word here used for love signifies... [ Continue Reading ]
MY LOVE BE WITH YOU ALL. — Like a river which, after rushing, foaming over many a rock and through many a gorge, at last emerges into a broad calm amid sunlit meadows, so this Epistle, after Chapter s of trenchant logic and fervid rebuke, closes in peaceful words of tenderness and love. [In referen... [ Continue Reading ]