Bible Commentaries

Verse 1

Verse 1

The collection. There are various allusions to this contribution collected before Paul's last journey to Jerusalem, in the history and in the writings of Paul. See 2 Corinthians 9:1, 2 Corinthians 9:2.Acts 24:17. It is interesting to observe that, when it was arranged, at Jerusalem, that Paul should devote his labors to the Gentile world, Peter charged him to remember the poor at Jerusalem. (Galatians 2:10.) This charge Paul seems not to have forgotten.

Verse 2

Verse 2

No gatherings; no collections.

Verse 4

Verse 4

If it be meet; if it be desirable.

Verse 5

Verse 5

Macedonia. Macedonia was north of the Egean Sea. Paul had intended to have visited Achaia first, and then to have passed on to Macedonia. (2 Corinthians 1:15,2 Corinthians 1:16.) But he afterwards concluded to visit Macedonia first. It will be seen by the map that neither province was on the direct route to the other.

Verse 8

Verse 8

I will tarry at Ephesus, &c. This design appears to have been frustrated by the disturbances created by Demetrius and his fellow-craftsmen. The expression, however, indicates strongly that Paul was at Ephesus when he wrote the Epistle.

Verse 10

Verse 10

Timotheus; 1 Corinthians 4:17,1 Corinthians 4:18.

Verse 11

Verse 11

Despise him; on account of his youth. (1 Timothy 4:12.)

Verse 13

Verse 13

Quit you like men; act like men.

Verse 15

Verse 15

Stephanas is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:16.

Verse 17

Verse 17

Of the coming, &c. These individuals appear to have been the bearers of the letter to Paul, heretofore often referred to.

Verse 19

Verse 19

Asia; a particular province of Asia Minor, so called. (1 Peter 1:1.) Ephesus was its metropolis.--Aquila and Priscilla; Acts 18:2,Acts 18:3.

Verse 21

Verse 21

Paul's Epistles were generally written by means of an amanuensis. Writing, in those days, was much more laborious than now, and was frequently performed through the intervention of one professionally skilled in the manual operation.

Verse 22

Verse 22

Anathema, Maran-atha. The former is a word of Greek, and the latter one of Hebrew origin. The literal meaning is, Let him be accursed, The Lord is coming.

The first epistle, &c. This statement, like the others similar to it, appended to some of the other Epistles, is universally admitted to have been added without authority, in later times. In this instance, it is obviously incorrect, being inconsistent with allusions contained in the Epistle itself.