Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order
to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS - at Jerusalem () and in Judea (Acts 11:29;
: cf. ; ; ). He says "saints," rather than 'the poor,' to remind them
that in giving, it is to the Lord's people, th... [ Continue Reading ]
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in
store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I
come.
FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK - already kept sacred by Christians as the day
of the Lord's resurrection, the beginning day both of the physical and
of the new spiri... [ Continue Reading ]
And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them
will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
APPROVE BY YOUR LETTERS - rather, 'whomsoever ye shall approve, them
will I send with [ dia (G1223) cf. Greek, Romans 2:27; 2 Corinthians
2:4 ] letters'-namely, letters (2 Corin... [ Continue Reading ]
And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
MEET - `worth while.' If your collections be large enough to be worth
an apostle's journey (a stimulus to their liberality), I will
accompany them myself, instead of giving them letters credential (:
cf. Acts 20:1).
WITH ME - to guard ag... [ Continue Reading ]
Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I
do pass through Macedonia.
His first intention had been (2 Corinthians 1:15) to pass through
Corinth to Macedonia, and again return to them from Macedonia, and so
to Judea; this he had announced in the lost letter (); now having... [ Continue Reading ]
But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
AT, EPHESUS - whence Paul writes. Compare . "Asia," wherein Ephesus
was.
UNTIL PENTECOST. He seems to have stayed as he here purposes; for,
just when the tumult which drove him away broke out, he was already
intending to leave Ephesus (Acts 19:21).... [ Continue Reading ]
For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many
adversaries.
DOOR () - an opening for extending the Gospel. Wise men watch for,
and avail themselves of, opportunities. So "door" of hope () "door of
faith" (), "an open door" (), "a door of utterance." (). "Great" -
i:e., exten... [ Continue Reading ]
Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for
he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
NOW - rather, But. Timothy was not the bearer of the letter: for, it
would not then be said, 'IF Timothy come.' He must have been sent by
Paul from Ephesus before this letter was wr... [ Continue Reading ]
Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace,
that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
DESPISE. This charge is not given concerning any other of the
messengers whom Paul sent (cf. Psalms 119:1; Psalms 141:1.) He was
young, younger probably than those us... [ Continue Reading ]
As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto
you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this
time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
APOLLOS, I GREATLY DESIRED HIM TO COME UNTO YOU. He says this, lest
they should suspect that he from je... [ Continue Reading ]
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Their hopes of salvation ought to depend not on Apollos or any
teacher: it rests with themselves.
WATCH YE - for ye are slumbering.
STAND - for ye are tottering. IN THE FAITH - which is assailed by
some (1 Corinthians 15:1; 1 Co... [ Continue Reading ]
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is
the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to
the ministry of the saints,)
FIRST-FRUITS OF ACHAIA - the first Achaean converts. Epenetus was the
first convert of this "house," if the Received Text be righ... [ Continue Reading ]
That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth
with us, and laboureth.
THAT YE. Translate, 'That ye also'-namely, on your part ... in return
for their voluntary ministry to you.
HELPETH WITH US - rather, with them.
LABOURETH - by himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for
that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
FORTUNATUS AND ACHAICUS - probably of Stephanas' household.
FORTUNATUS AND ACHAICUS - probably of Stephanas' household.
THAT WHICH WAS LACKING ON YOUR PART. So far as y... [ Continue Reading ]
For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye
them that are such.
REFRESHED MY SPIRIT AND YOURS. "Yours" will be refreshed on receiving
this letter, by knowing that 'my spirit is refreshed' by their having
come to me; and (perhaps) by the good report they give of many of... [ Continue Reading ]
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much
in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
ASIA - not all Asia Minor, but Lydian Asia only, of which Ephesus was
capital.
MUCH - with especial affection.
AQUILA AND PRISCILLA (cf. ; Romans 16:3). Originally driven... [ Continue Reading ]
All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
HOLY KISS - the token of Christians' love ("kiss of charity," ),
especially at the Lord's supper (cf. ; ), in which all their
dissensions would be forgotten.... [ Continue Reading ]
The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
SALUTATION ... WITH MINE OWN HAND. He therefore dictated the rest of
the letter. Even already spurious letters were circulated ().... [ Continue Reading ]
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema
Maranatha.
A solemn closing warning added in his own hand: as in ; .
THE LORD - who ought to be 'loved' above Paul, Apollos, and all other
teachers. Love to one another is to flow from love to Him above all.
Ignatius, 'Epistola. ad... [ Continue Reading ]
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
THE GRACE ... This is the salutation meant in ; from which
unbelievers (: cf. :11 ) are excluded.... [ Continue Reading ]
My love ... After having administered severe rebukes, he closes with
"love:" his very rebukes were prompted by love, and therefore are in
harmony with the profession here: love in Christ Jesus embraced "all"
who loved Him.
The subscription represents the letter as written from Philipi. shows
it was... [ Continue Reading ]