_Am I not_, &c. It appears from this, and several other passages of the epistles to the Corinthians, that some of them, influenced probably by false teachers, who had crept in among them, objected to St. Paul's being an apostle, because he had not asserted his privilege in demanding and receiving su... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mine answer_ My apology; _to them that examine_ and censure _me_ As to this part of my conduct, is this which follows. _Have we not power_ I and my fellow-labourers; _to eat and to drink_ At the expense of those among whom we labour? Does our declining the use of a privilege prove that we have it n... [ Continue Reading ]
_Or I only and Barnabas_ Of all the preachers of the gospel; _have not we power to forbear working_ With our hands? “From this it appears that Barnabas, as well as Paul, preached the gospel without demanding a maintenance from his disciples; and that, like Paul, he was hated for his doctrine by the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Say I these things as a man_ Have I only human authority and reasons for what I say? _or saith not the law_ The revealed will of God; _the same? For it is written_ Deuteronomy 25:4, _Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox_, &c. But shalt allow the poor animal to feed while it is labouring for th... [ Continue Reading ]
_If we have sown unto you spiritual things_ By our incessant diligence in preaching to you the gospel of the blessed God; _is it a great thing_ More than we have a right to expect; _if we shall reap your carnal things_ Namely, as much as is needful for our sustenance? Do you give us things of greate... [ Continue Reading ]
_Do ye not know_, &c. In further support of the justice of the claim in question, I might remind you of the provision which God made for the priests and Levites under the Mosaic law; _that they which minister about holy things_ As, 1st, the Levites, who perform the various servile offices relating t... [ Continue Reading ]
_But_ Though my right to a maintenance, as an apostle, be established by the precepts both of the law and of the gospel; _I have used none of those things_ During my abode among you, as you well know; _neither have I written these things that_ If, according to my purpose, I should ever visit you aga... [ Continue Reading ]
_For though I be free from all men_ Not bound to do that which seems unlawful, inconvenient, or disadvantageous to myself, to please any man; _yet have I made myself a servant unto all_ Addicting myself to the most fatiguing duties, that I might advance their happiness; or complying with the persuas... [ Continue Reading ]
_To the Jews I became as a Jew_ Conforming myself in all things to their manner of living, so far as I could with innocence. And, inasmuch as in the preceding chapter the apostle directed the Corinthians to comply with the prejudices of their weak brethren, in the affair of meats sacrificed to idols... [ Continue Reading ]
_Know ye not that_ In those famous games, which are kept in the isthmus, near your city; _they who run in a race_ Εν σταδιω, in the stadium, (so the place was called where the athletes contended,) _run_ indeed _all_ And contend one with another; _but one_ Only of them all; _receiveth the prize_ Wher... [ Continue Reading ]
_I therefore_ The reward being so great; _so run, not as uncertainly_ For I see the goal I am to run to, I keep it continually in view, and run straight to it, casting off every weight, and not regarding any that stand by, so as to be prevented from, or hindered in running, by looking at them. Or, I... [ Continue Reading ]