CHAPTER 16 VER. 1. _Now concerning the collection for the saints._ The saints here meant were the poor Christians living at Jerusalem. Cf. ver. 3 and Romans 15:26. For the Christians at Jerusalem, as appears from Heb. x. 34, were robbed of their goods and grievously harassed by their fellow-countrym... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost._ Viz., because at Ephesus was the famous temple of Diana, and because the chief men of Asia Minor lived there. Hence the Proconsul of Asia Minor resided at Ephesus, and, as Philostratus says (_Vita Apollonii_, lib. viii.), learning flourished there most; and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let all your things be done with charity._ This, according to some, is not supernatural charity, but the sincere affection which penitents or even unbelievers can possess. But this is not the charity which Scripture and S. Paul commend to the faithful, but merely such natural love as pagans have. T... [ Continue Reading ]
_I beseech you, brethren_, &c. Theophylact arranges this verse and the next in this way: I beseech you, brethren, that ye submit yourselves to Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and to every one that works with them and labours; for ye know their house (_i.e._, houses or families), that they are t... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am glad of the presence of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaiacus._ (1.) According to Anselm this presence means the presence of these men with the Corinthians to supply, teach, and strengthen them in the faith. (2.) According to Theophylact it is the presence of these men with S. Paul, to supp... [ Continue Reading ]
_For they have refreshed my spirit and yours._ What refreshes me refreshes you. Theophylact thinks that these men were so warmly commended to the Corinthians, to prevent them from being treated coldly or severely for having brought to S. Paul news of the divisions and backslidings of the Corinthians... [ Continue Reading ]
_If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema._ "Anathema" denotes anything separated by a curse, thrown away, and destined for utter destruction. In the case of men it denotes, therefore, eternal damnation. These are not words of excommunication merely, but of cursing, and of denu... [ Continue Reading ]
_My love be with you all in Christ Jesus._ May the love that I bear you flow back to me and towards each other for Christ's sake. Amen. THINK OF ETERNITY ANATHEMA MARAN-ATHA!... [ Continue Reading ]