Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians 16

Verse 1

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

Collection for the saints — The poor believers at Jerusalem, Romans 15:26 , who had suffered hard things of their own countrymen, 1 Thessalonians 2:14 , and taken joyfully the spoiling of their goods, Hebrews 11:34 , and were therefore relieved by the Churches of the Gentiles at Paul’s motions,Galatians 2:10; Galatians 2:10 . The word here used for saints signifieth such as are taken off from the earth. Not οσιοι , but αγιοι , from α and γη . The saints, though their commoration be upon earth, their conversation is in heaven.

Verse 2

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Upon the first day — The Christian sabbath, the Lord’s day, as the Greek scholiast well renders it; which to sanctify was in the primitive times a badge of Christianity. When the question was propounded, Servasti Dominicum? Hast thou kept the Lord’s day? The answer was returned, Christianus sum; intermittere non possum, I am a Christian, I can do no less than keep the Lord’s day. But the world is now grown perfectly profane (saith Dr King, on Jonah, Lect. 7), and can play on the Lord’s day without book; the sabbath of the Lord, the sanctified day of his rest, is shamelessly troubled and disquieted.

Lay by him in store — Gr. as a treasure, 1 Timothy 6:18 . Manus pauperum gazophylacium Christi, The poor man’s box is Christ’s treasury.

As God hath prospered him — Gr. ευοδωται , Given him a good arrival at the end of his voyage, and enabled him; for we may not stretch beyond the staple, and so spoil all.

Verse 3

And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

Your liberality — Gr. your grace; that which having received of God’s free grace you do as freely part with to his poor people.

Verse 4

And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

That I go also — And go he did, Romans 15:25 ; Acts 24:17 . The very angels hold not themselves too good to serve the saints.

Verse 5

Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

When I shall come, … — He was not then yet come into Macedonia, neither was this Epistle written at Philippi (as the subscription saith,) a chief city of Macedonia.

Verse 6

And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

Yea, and winter with you — They had ill deserved such a favour of him; for the more he loved them the less he was beloved of them,2 Corinthians 12:15; 2 Corinthians 12:15 ; but sought he not theirs, but them. Discourtesies must not discourage us from God’s work. Calvin, though but coarsely used at his first coming to Geneva, brake through all.

Verse 7

For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

If the Lord permit — The Lord ordereth a good man’s goings, Psalms 37:23 ; See Acts 16:7-10 cf. James 4:13 . It was rather rashness than valour in our Richard I, who being told (as he sat at supper) that the French king had besieged his town of Vernoil in Normandy, protested that he would not turn his back until he had confronted the French, And thereupon he caused the wall of his palace that was before him to be broken down toward the south, and went to the sea coast immediately into Normandy.

Verse 8

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

But I will tarry at Ephesus — From thence then he wrote this Epistle, and not at Philippi, as the subscription hath it. See 1 Corinthians 16:5 .

Verse 9

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

And effectual — ενεργης , or, busy, that requires great painstaking. The ministry is not an idle man’s occupation, as some fools think it.

And many adversaries — Truth never lacks an opposite. In the beginning of the late Reformation, Eckius, Roffensis, Cajetan, Moore, Faber, Cochlaeus, Catharinus, Pighius, all these wrote against Luther, Summo conatu, acerrimo desiderio, non vulgari doctrina, as one saith, with utmost desire and endeavour.

Verse 10

Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do .

For he worketh, … — So doth every faithful minister, though of meaner parts: the vine is the weakest of trees, but full of fruit. A little hand may thread a needle. A little boat may do best in a low river. Philadelphia had but a little strength, Revelation 3:8 , and yet it served turn, and did the deed.

Verse 11

Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

Let no man despise him — For his youth; for he hath lived much in a little time (as it is said of our Edward VI), and is an old young man, μειρακιογερων , as was Macarius the Egyptian.

Verse 12

As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

I greatly desire him — Paul did not compel or command him as the pope takes upon him to do, even to princes and potentates. Oh, that all kings would answer him in this case, as Philip the Fair of France did Pope Boniface, claiming a power there to bestow prebends and benefices Sciat tua maxima fatuitas. (Alsted. Chron.)

Verse 13

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Watch ye, … — Solomon’s wisdom, Lot’s integrity, and Noah’s sobriety felt the smart of the serpent’s sting. The first was seduced, the second stumbled, the third fell, while the eye of watchfulness was fallen asleep.

Verse 14

Let all your things be done with charity.

Let all your things, … — Love is the saint’s livery, John 13:35 . Heathens acknowledged that no people in the world did love one another so as Christians did. In the primitive times, Animo animaque inter se miscebantur, as Tertullian speaketh. But now, alas, it is far otherwise love began to grow cold among these Corinthians. Hence this sweet and savoury counsel. Charity in Christ’s days was much decayed; in Basil’s time, dried up. Latimer saw much a lack of it, that he thought the last day would have been just then. It were to be wished that this apostolical precept were well practised; and that we were all (in a sober sense) of the family of love.

Verse 15

I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

To the ministry of saints — To serve them in collecting and distributing alms to the nessissitous.

Verse 16

That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us , and laboureth.

That ye submit — Giving them due honour, doing them all good offices.

Verse 17

I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

They have supplied — viz. Your absence; for in them I take a short view of you all.

Verse 18

For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

They have refreshed — Ipse aspectus viri boni delectat. It is some comfort to see a good man’s face.

Verse 19

The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Aquila and Priscilla — Paul’s fast friends and constant companions, worth their weight in gold.

Verse 20

All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

With a holy kiss — Not hollow, as Joab and Judas; not carnal, as that harlot, Proverbs 7:13 . See Romans 16:16 .

Verse 21

The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

With mine own hand — Well known to the Corinthians, to prevent imposture.

Verse 22

If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

If any man love not — That is, desperately hate. A sin so execrable, that the apostle would not once name it. So the Jews would not name leaven at the passover, nor a sow at any time, but called it dabar achar, another thing.

Anathema, Maranatha — Accursed upon accursed, put over to God to punish. This is a dreadful curse. (Elias Thisbit.) See a gracious promise, Ephesians 6:24 . God may suffer such as love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, to be Anathema secundum dici (as Bucholcer said), but not secundum esse. See an instance, Isaiah 66:5 , and say with David, "Let them curse, but do thou bless, Lord."

Verse 24

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. << The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timotheus.>>

My love, … — Though I have sharply rebuked you, …, Titus 1:13 .