Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Ver. 1. _Collection for the saints_] The poor believers at Jerusalem, Romans 15:26, who had suffered hard things of their own countrymen, 1 Thessalonians 2:14, and taken joyfully the spoil... [ 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. Ver. 2. _Upon the first day_] The Christian sabbath, the Lord's day, as the Greek scholiast well renders it; which to sanctify was in the primitive times... [ Continue Reading ]
And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by _your_ letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. Ver. 3. _Your liberality_] Gr. your grace; that which having received of God's free grace you do as freely part with to his poor people.... [ Continue Reading ]
And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me. Ver. 4. _That I go also_] And go he did, Romans 15:25; Acts 24:17. The very angels hold not themselves too good to serve the saints.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. Ver. 5. _When I shall come, &c._] He was not then yet come into Macedonia, neither was this Epistle written at Philippi (as the subscription saith,) a chief city of Macedonia.... [ Continue Reading ]
And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. Ver. 6. _Yea, and winter with you_] They had ill deserved such a favour of him; for the more he loved them the less he was beloved of them,2 Corinthians 12:15; but sought he not theirs,... [ Continue Reading ]
For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. Ver. 7. _If the Lord permit_] The Lord ordereth a good man's goings, Psalms 37:23; See Act 16:7-10 cf. James 4:13. It was rather rashness than valour in our Richard I, who being told (as he sat at supp... [ Continue Reading ]
But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. Ver. 8. _But I will tarry at Ephesus_] From thence then he wrote this Epistle, and not at Philippi, as the subscription hath it. See 1 Corinthians 16:5 .... [ Continue Reading ]
For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and _there are_ many adversaries. Ver. 9. _And effectual_] ενεργης, or, busy, that requires great painstaking. The ministry is not an idle man's occupation, as some fools think it. _ And many adversaries_] Truth never lacks an opposite. In the begi... [ 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_. Ver. 10. _For he worketh, &c._] So doth every faithful minister, though of meaner parts: the vine is the weakest of trees, but full of fruit. A little hand may thread a needle. A li... [ 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. Ver. 11. _Let no man despise him_] For his youth; for he hath lived much in a little time (as it is said of our Edward VI), and is an old young man, μειρακιογερων, as wa... [ 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. Ver. 12. _I greatly desire him_] Paul did not compel or command him as the pope takes upon him to do, e... [ Continue Reading ]
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Ver. 13. _Watch ye, &c._] Solomon's wisdom, Lot's integrity, and Noah's sobriety felt the smart of the serpent's sting. The first was seduced, the second stumbled, the third fell, while the eye of watchfulness was fallen asleep.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let all your things be done with charity. Ver. 14. _Let all your things, &c._] Love is the saint's livery, John 13:35. Heathens acknowledged that no people in the world did love one another so as Christians did. In the primitive times, _Animo animaque inter se miscebantur, _ as Tertullian speaketh.... [ 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,) Ver. 15. _To the ministry of saints_] To serve them in collecting and distributing alms to the nessissitous.... [ Continue Reading ]
That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with _us_, and laboureth. Ver. 16. _That ye submit_] Giving them due honour, doing them all good offices.... [ 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. Ver. 17. _They have supplied_] viz. Your absence; for in them I take a short view of you all.... [ Continue Reading ]
For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. Ver. 18. _They have refreshed_] _Ipse aspectus viri boni delectat._ It is some comfort to see a good man's face.... [ 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. Ver. 19. _Aquila and Priscilla_] Paul's fast friends and constant companions, worth their weight in gold.... [ Continue Reading ]
All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. Ver. 20. _With a holy kiss_] Not hollow, as Joab and Judas; not carnal, as that harlot, Proverbs 7:13. See Romans 16:16 .... [ Continue Reading ]
The salutation of _me_ Paul with mine own hand. Ver. 21. _With mine own hand_] Well known to the Corinthians, to prevent imposture.... [ Continue Reading ]
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. Ver. 22. _If any man love not_] That is, desperately hate. A sin so execrable, that the apostle would not once name it. So the Jews would not name leaven at the passover, nor a sow at any time, but called it _dabar achar, _ a... [ Continue Reading ]
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ _be_ with you. 24 My love _be_ with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timotheus.>> Ver. 24. _My love, &c._] Though I have sharply rebuked you, &c., Titus 1:13... [ Continue Reading ]