1 Corinthians 16:1-24. Sundry practical directions. Conclusion 1. _Now concerning the collection for the saints_ i.e. -the poor saints (see note on ch. 1 Corinthians 1:2) at Jerusalem," Romans 15:26. The same subject is mentioned in ch. 8, 9 of the second Epistle. The disorganized state of Judaea at... [ Continue Reading ]
_Upon the first day of the week_ Some Greek copies read the word translated -week" in the _plural_. Hence Tyndale renders, in _some saboth daye_, and Calvin, more literally, _on one of the sabbaths_. Wiclif connects these words with the preceding verse. _So also do ghe on oo dai of the woke_. This v... [ Continue Reading ]
_whomsoever you shall approve by_your _letters_ The word _your_is not in the original. The passage may be translated in two ways; (1) as in the text, which follows Tyndale and the Vulgate, and supposes that St Paul would, immediately on his arrival at Corinth, send to Jerusalem those who had been pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_they shall go with me_ Under no circumstances would St Paul take charge of the money himself. It was, moreover, fitting that members of the Corinthian Church should have the pleasure, as well as the credit, of presenting their bounty in person to those who were to be the recipients of it. Cf. 2 Cor... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia_ Rather, - _when I_ HAVE PASSED _through Macedonia_." Here the Apostle announces the change of a purpose previously intimated whether in the lost Epistle, or in some other manner, it is impossible to say of coming first to Corinth, passing o... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it may be that I will abide_ Better, _that I_ SHALL _abide_. The Apostle (Acts 20:3) was enabled to carry out this half promise. _and winter with you_ The navigation of the Aegaean was dangerous in the winter (Acts 27:9; Acts 27:12). _bring me on my journey_ Literally, SEND ME FORWARD. "The re... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I will not see you now by the way_ See passages cited in note on 1 Corinthians 16:5, for the reason of this. St Paul feared that he might have to adopt some strong measures against those who resisted his authority, and he was very anxious to remain long enough at Corinth to obliterate every fee... [ Continue Reading ]
_But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost_ The narrative in the Acts agrees most minutely with this passage. We there find that St Paul had formed his plan of visiting Greece some time before he carried it into effect (Acts 19:21); that he sent Timothy to Macedonia, whence it was intended that he... [ Continue Reading ]
_For a great door_ The use of _door_in the sense of _opportunity_in the N. T. is remarkable. It is a favourite word with St Paul. See 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3. St Luke has adopted it from him, Acts 14:27. And it is also to be found in the same sense in Revelation 3:8. This verse also strik... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now if Timotheus come_ See note on 1 Corinthians 4:17. The question whether Timothy arrived at Corinth before the Apostle, or whether he was detained in Macedonia until St Paul came thither, is one which admits of no certain decision. Dean Alford thinks Timothy arrived there first, and supports his... [ Continue Reading ]
_conduct him forth_ This phrase is translated _bring on a journey_in 1 Corinthians 16:6. See note there. _with the brethren_ i.e. those who took charge of this Epistle. Cf. passages cited in the first note on 1 Corinthians 16:10 and 2 Corinthians 8:22; 2 Corinthians 8:13; 2Co 9:3; 2 Corinthians 9:5... [ Continue Reading ]
_touching our brother Apollos_ See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 1:12. St Paul was anxious to have put Apollos, as a man of weight in the Corinthian Church, in charge of his letter. But Apollos steadfastly declined to go, fearing that his presence might foment, instead of allaying, the disorders. Titus... [ Continue Reading ]
_quit you like men, be strong_ Rather, BE STRENGTHENED, implying that the source of strength was not in themselves. "If you think Christianity a feeble, soft thing, ill adapted to call out the manlier features of character, read here." Robertson.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let all your things be done with charily_ i.e. _let everything you do_(literally EVERYTHING OF YOURS) _be done in love_.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the house of Stephanas_ See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 1:16. _the firstfruits of Achaia_ Not necessarily the very first converts, but _among_the very first. See Romans 16:5. -Achaia" is used by St Paul to denote the Peloponnesus, now called the Morea. _to the ministry of the saints_ Rather, TO SER... [ Continue Reading ]
_that ye submit yourselves_ See Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5. _helpeth with_us] There is no _us_in the original. A general assistance in the work of the Church seems to be what is meant by the Apostle. Some would connect it with -such," and regard it as a direction to be willing to submit to the aut... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fortunatus and Achaicus_ Fortunatus is referred to by Clement as the bearer of his Epistle. See Introduction, Ch. iii. Nothing is known of Achaicus. _that which was lacking on your part_ i.e. _the void occasioned by your absence_, not the _pecuniary need_of the Apostle as in 2 Corinthians 11:9 (cf... [ Continue Reading ]
_For they have refreshed my spirit and yours_ This "is a concise expression of the same consciousness of identity of feelings and interests which expresses itself so strongly in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7." Stanley. These Corinthians are reinvigorated, through a perfect interchange of sympathy, by the joy... [ Continue Reading ]
_The churches of Asia salute you_ See Introduction, Ch. iii. p. 15. _Aquila and Priscilla_ See Acts 18:2; Acts 18:18; Acts 18:26. From Romans 16:3 (where Priscilla is called Prisca), we find that they returned to Rome as soon as it was safe to return thither. The message of Aquila and Priscilla to... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the brethren_ i.e. "the whole Ephesian Church." Alford. _with a holy kiss_ The word _holy_is added to guard against misconception in an impure age. The spirit in which it was to be given was that which was to regulate the intercourse of Timothy with the other sex. (1 Timothy 5:2.) The kiss of p... [ Continue Reading ]
_The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand_ It was the custom of St Paul to employ an amanuensis. See Romans 16:22. But in order that the Epistle should be recognized as his, it was his custom to add a salutation in his own handwriting, which he wished to be regarded as a token of genuineness. 2... [ Continue Reading ]
_If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ_ The word here translated _love_applies to the intimate and familiar personal affection subsisting between individuals, rather than the wider and more general feeling of love usually enjoined in the N. T. It is the word used when our Lord for the third time... [ Continue Reading ]
_My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen_ See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 4:17. This affectionate commendation of the Corinthians to the favour of Christ, coupled with the assurance of his own unchanging affection, must have sounded very striking in the ears of a community accustomed to Gentile... [ Continue Reading ]