CHAPTER XVI. _The apostle exhorts the Corinthians to make a contribution for_ _the relief of the poor Christians at Jerusalem; and directs to_ _the best mode of doing it_, 1-4. _Promises to pay them a visit after pentecost_, 5-9. _Gives directions about the treatment of Timothy and Apollos_, 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:2. _UPON THE FIRST_ DAY _OF THE WEEK_] The apostle prescribes the most convenient and proper method of making this contribution. 1. Every man was to feel it his duty to succour his brethren in distress. 2. He was to do this according to the ability which God gave him. 3. He... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:3. _WHOMSOEVER YE SHALL APPROVE BY_ your _letters_] Why should Paul require _letters_ of approbation in behalf of certain persons, when he himself should be _among them_, and could have their characters _viva voce_? It is probable that he refers here to letters of recommendati... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:4. _AND IF IT BE MEET_, c.] If it be a business that requires my attendance, and it be judged proper for me to go to Jerusalem, I will take those persons for my companions. On the delicacy with which St. Paul managed the business of a collection for the poor, Archdeacon Paley... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:5. _I WILL COME UNTO YOU, WHEN I SHALL PASS THROUGH_ _MACEDONIA_] St. Paul was now at _Ephesus_; for almost all allow, in opposition to the _subscription_ at the end of this epistle that states it to have been written from _Philippi_, that it was written from _Ephesus_: and t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:6. _YEA, AND WINTER WITH YOU_] He purposed to stay till _pentecost_ at Ephesus; after that to go to Macedonia, and probably to spend the _summer_ there; and come in the _autumn_ to Corinth, and there spend the _winter_. _THAT YE MAY BRING ME ON MY JOURNEY_] That ye may furnis... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:7. _I WILL NOT SEE YOU NOW BY THE WAY_] From Ephesus to Corinth was merely across the AEgean Sea, and comparatively a short passage.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:8. _I WILL TARRY AT EPHESUS_] And it is very probable that he did so; and that all these journeys were taken as he himself had projected. See note on 1 Corinthians 16:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:9. _A GREAT DOOR AND EFFECTUAL IS OPENED_] Θυοα γαρ μοι ανεωγε μεγαλη και ενεργης· _A great and energetic door is opened_ _to me_; that is, God has made a grand opening to me in those parts, which I perceive will require _much labour_; and besides, I shall have _many adversari... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:10. _NOW, IF TIMOTHEUS COME_] Of Timothy we have heard before, 1 Corinthians 4:17. And we learn, from Acts 19:22, that Paul sent him with _Erastus_ from Ephesus to Macedonia. It is evident, therefore, in opposition to the very exceptionable _subscription_ at the end of this ep... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:11. _LET NO MAN - DESPISE HIM_] Let none pretend to say that he has not full authority from God to do the work of an evangelist. _BUT CONDUCT HIM FORTH IN PEACE_] I believe, with Bp. Pearce, that this clause should be translated and pointed thus: _accompany_ _him upon his jou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:12. _AS TOUCHING OUR BROTHER APOLLOS_] It appears from this that the _brethren_, of whom the apostle speaks in the preceding verse, were then _with him_ at Ephesus; _I, with the_ _brethren, greatly desired to come_. _BUT HIS WILL WAS NOT AT ALL TO COME_] As there had been a f... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:13. _WATCH YE_] You have many enemies; be continually on your _guard_; be always _circumspect_:- 1. Watch against evil; 2. Watch for opportunities to _receive_ good; 3. Watch for opportunities to _do_ good; 4. Watch over each other in love; 5. Watch, that none may draw yo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:14. _LET ALL YOUR THINGS BE DONE WITH CHARITY._] Let _love_ to God, to man, and to one another, be the motive of all your conduct.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:15. _YE KNOW THE HOUSE OF STEPHANAS_] Ye know that Stephanas and his _family_ have addicted them to the help of the followers of Christ; they have been the chief instruments of supporting the work of God in Achaia, of which work they themselves have been the _first fruits_. Ro... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:16. _THAT YE SUBMIT YOURSELVES UNTO SUCH_] That ye have _due regard_ to them, and consider them as especial instruments in the hand of God for countenancing and carrying on his great work. The _submission_ here recommended does not imply _obedience_, but _kind_ and _courteous... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _I AM GLAD OF THE COMING OF STEPHANAS_, c.] It was by these that the Corinthians had sent that letter to the apostle, to answer which was a main part of the design of St. Paul in this epistle. _FORTUNATUS_] This man is supposed to have survived St. Paul and to be the same mentioned by Cle... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _THEY HAVE REFRESHED MY SPIRIT AND YOURS_] They have been a means of contributing greatly to my comfort; and what contributes to _my_ comfort must increase _yours_. This is probably the meaning of the apostle. _THEREFORE ACKNOWLEDGE YE THEM_] Pay them particular respect, and let all be he... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _THE CHURCHES OF ASIA SALUTE YOU._] i.e. The Churches in _Asia Minor_. Ephesus was in this Asia, and it is clear from this that the apostle was not at _Philippi_; had he been at Philippi, as the subscription states, he would have said, _The_ _Churches of_ MACEDONIA, _not the Churches of_ A... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 20. _WITH A HOLY KISS._] The ancient patriarchs, and the Jews in general, were accustomed to _kiss each other_ whenever they met; and this was a token of _friendship_ and _peace_ with them, as _shaking of hands_ is with us. The primitive Christians naturally followed this example of the Jews.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 21. _THE SALUTATION OF ME PAUL WITH MINE OWN HAND._] This should be rendered: "The salutation is written by the hand of me Paul;" γεγραπται, _is written_, being understood. It is very likely that the apostle wrote this and the following verses with his own hand. The rest, though _dictated_ by... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 22. _IF ANY MAN LOVE NOT THE LORD JESUS_] This is directed immediately against the _Jews_. From 1 Corinthians 12:3, we find that the Jews, who pretended to be under the _Spirit_ and _teaching_ _of God_, called Jesus αναθεμα, or _accursed_; i.e. a person who should be devoted to destruction: s... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 23. _THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS_] May the favour, influence, mercy, and salvation procured by Jesus Christ, be _with_ _you_-prevail among you, rule in you, and be exhibited by you, in your life and conversation! Amen.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 16:24. _MY LOVE BE WITH YOU ALL IN CHRIST JESUS._] It appears exceedingly strange that the apostle should say, _My love_ be _with you_; as he said, _The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ_ be _with you_. We can easily conceive what the latter means: the _grace_ of Christ is an _acti... [ Continue Reading ]