Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 16:8-9

“But I stay on in Ephesus until the Pentecost” τῆς πεντηκοστῆς (ἡμέρας), “the fiftieth day” from the 16th Nisan in the Passover Feast (see parls.). This suggests that P. is writing not very long before Whitsuntide; 1 Corinthians 5:6 ff. indicated a date for the Ep. immediately antecedent to Easter. 1 Corinthians 16:9 explains why the Ap. must remain at Eph. some time longer, although required at Cor [2645] : “for a door is open to me, great and effectual, and (there are) many adversaries”. This θύρα is defined in Colossians 4:3 (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:12) as a θύρα τοῦ λόγου a door open to the preacher; in Acts 14:27 it is seen from the other side, as θύρα πίστεως a door for the entrance of the believing hearer; see parls. for kindred applications of the figure. The door is μεγάλη in respect of its width and the region into which it opens, ἐνεργής in respect of the influence gained by entering it. ἀντικείμενοι πολλοί (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:32): an additional reason for not retreating; cf. Philippians 1:28. The terrible riot that shortly afterwards drove Paul from Eph. verified this statement (Acts 19). Evangelism flourishes under fierce opposition; “Sæpe bonum et, contra id, malum simul valde vigent” (Bg [2646]).

[2645] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2646] Bengel's Gnomon Novi Testamenti.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 16:8-9

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