_I commend unto you Phebe._ PHEBE OF CENCHREA 1. Cenchrea was a thriving sea-port town about eight miles from Corinth, from which the Corinthian commerce was carried on with the East. Thence Paul had sailed for Jerusalem on a former occasion, and had established a Church there. Phebe, travelling w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CONCLUSION OF THE EPISTLE 1. This is scarcely the kind of conclusion that one would have expected. One would have thought that the rapt apostle, having been borne to the loftiest circles of contemplation, would have now flung his inspired pen upon the page he had immortalised. Instead of this,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Greet Priscilla and Aquila._ PRISCILLA AND AQUILA, PAUL’S HELPERS I. Their service. 1. Toil. 2. Sacrifice. II. Their motives of action. 1. Faith. 2. Love. 3. Hope in Christ. III. Their reward. 1. On earth--the thanks of the apostle. 2. In heaven, life everlasting. (_J. Lyth, D.D_.) A CH... [ Continue Reading ]
_Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us._ MARY’S SERVICE 1. Well directed. 2. Diligently performed. 3. Rightly dictated. 4. Abundantly rewarded. (_J. Lyth, D.D_.) THE MARYS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT I. Two were related to Christ--Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mary her sister. II. Two minister... [ Continue Reading ]
_Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord._ AMPLIAS Was probably one of Paul’s converts. I. “my beloved.” 1. As his own son in the gospel, or-- 2. From special grace observed in him. 3. Warm attachment shown by him. 4. Eminent devotedness to the cause of Christ. Degrees of attachment consistent w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Them which are of Aristobulus’ household._ THE HOUSEHOLDS OF ARISTOBULUS AND NARCISSUS We do not know anything about these two persons, men of position evidently, who had large households. But learned commentators of the New Testament have advanced a very reasonable conjecture in regard to each of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions._ A CAUTION AGAINST SCHISMATICS I. Their character described. They-- 1. Cause divisions. 2. Occasion offences. 3. Pervert doctrines. II. Their principles exposed. 1. Their motives are impure. 2. Their words deceptive. 3. Their vi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly._ SATAN BRUISED BY THE GOD OF PEACE There were two victories to be obtained over Satan. By the first, his head was to be bruised under the feet of Christ; and by the second, the rest of his body will be bruised under the feet of belie... [ Continue Reading ]
_Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you._ TIMOTHEUS THE WORKFELLOW I. What co-operation in the cause of Christ implies. 1. One faith. 2. One spirit. 3. One aim. 4. One effort. II. What it secures. 1. Peace. 2. Love. 3. Success. 4. Honour. (_J.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel._ APOSTOLIC PRAISE What a doxology! Full of Divine melody; full of grace and truth! I. The stablishing. He is the Creator. (1) He is the mighty God. He is “of power” (literally, “able”) to stablish you. (2) The fountain-head of... [ Continue Reading ]