1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16:1-12

Parallels: Colossians 50

s some advices, relating to the proposed collection r saints in Judea. 1 Cor. XVI. 1—12.

1 CORINTHIANS XVI. 1.

BEFORE I conclude this epistle, I must add a word or two concerning the collection which you propose making for the poor saints which are in Judea, who are in such great straits, both on account of the famine and the persecution to which they are exposed. And here I would only say this; as I have given it in charge to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye proceed: for nothing occurs to my thoughts at present, which can be more subservient to that generous and good design. When you hold your Christian assemblies on the first day of the week, in commemoration of the resurrection of our Lord, which has made that day sacred amongst us, let every one of you lay something by, in proportion to the degree in which, by the Divine blessing, he hath been prospered in his affairs; and let him bring it with him to the place where you meet for your public worship; then treasuring it up in the common stock, that so it may be ready in one sum, and there may be no necessity of making any particular collections when I come. This will save us some trouble, at a time when we shall necessarily have so much important business on our hands; and when a little is added to the stock weekly, it may rise by almost imperceptible degrees, to a greater sum than could perhaps be expected if the whole were to be deposited at once. But when I am arrived at Corinth, whomsoever ye shall appoint and recommend by your letters, signed by the congregation, or its proper representatives; them will I send, to

a On the first day of the week.] So κτλ μικ, σαβελων signifies. Compare Luke xxiv. 1: John xx. 1; with Matt. xxviii. 1; Mark xvi. 2.

b Treasuring it up: ικανοι περ’ ικολα πιθιω Sπαυμζων.] We render it, let every one of ou lay by him in store. But the followin

words shew, that it was to be put into a common stock. The argument drawn from hence for the religious observation of the first day of the week in these primitive churches of Corinth, and Galatia, is too obvious to need any farther illustration, and yet too important to be passed by in an entire silence.

He would come to them when he passed through

carry your favour to Jerusalem, and shall cheerfully intrust them to deliver it with their own hands to the poor Christians there. And if it be thought convenient, that I shall also go up thither myself on this occasion, they shall go with me; that every thing may be conducted in the most open and honourable manner, and that your messengers may witness for me, that none of the money has been employed to any purposes whatsoever, different from those for which it was given.

This, I hope, will quickly be dispatched; for I will, if Providence permit, come to you, when I have passed through Macedonia; and I am just upon my journey through Macedonia; And then perhaps may continue awhile with you, and even spend the winter with you; that so, when I have made you as long as visit as my affairs will admit, you may bring me forward on my journey to Jerusalem, or whithersoever else I shall go, or through whatever parts I may pass to it; for that is a circumstance about which I am not yet determined, and in which I refer myself to the future direction of Providence. I speak of my coming as at some distance: for though from these maritime parts I might easily come to you by sea, and so travel northward, when I have dispatched my business at Corinth, I will not now see you in this manner, in my way; but hope the little delay which this scheme may occasion, will be made up to your satisfaction: for I fully purpose to spend some time with you, if the Lord permit; which the necessities of the churches of Macedonia will not at present give me leave to do. But I shall continue here at Ephesus till about pentecost, reserving the remainder of the

I am just upon my journey through Macedonia.] Thus, I think, we may justly render, Μπακέωνις γαδάκης. Macedonia was not the direct way from Ephesus to Corinth. It seems by his second epistle to the Corinthians, written a few months after this, that he was either in Macedonia or on his way thither, (compare 2 Cor. i. 16;) from whence it appears, that he had a secret purpose of seeing Corinth in his way to, as well as from Macedonia; but he does not express this purpose here, so

that we know not how it was signified to them, as from the text last mentioned it seems that it was.

Whithersoever else I go.] In the forecasted text, Judea is mentioned; but St Paul does not seem to have fixed his scheme so particularly, as yet.

I shall continue at Ephesus till pentecost.] I look upon this as a very plain intimation, that he was now at Ephesus; and consequently, that the inscription added at the end of this epistle, which

but would tarry at Ephesus till Pentecost.

For a great door summer for my tour through Macedonia, and sect. nd effectual is open- the neighbouring parts. In the mean time, xxxi. d unto me, and there though I have spent so many months here, I re many adversa- am willing to make my stay as long, as with ies. any tolerable convenience I can ; for a great and effectual door of usefulness is opened to me under my apostolical character, in this populous and celebrated city, and [there are] many opposers, who may perhaps take the advantage of my absence, to injure this new planted church on which I have bestowed so much labour, and

for the interest of which I have the tenderest concern.ᶠ

But if, in the mean time, my beloved friend 1 and brother Timothy should come to you, see that he be with you without fear of any unkind usage, or of any attempt to set him up as the head of a party ; as in some instances you have been ready to do by others ; for as he is a man of a very tender and affectionate, so he is likewise of a very candid and humble spirit, and he laboureth in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ with great sincerity and zeal ; as I also [do :] and we are in all respects so much in the same sentiments, that I am well assured, the things which would grieve me in your conduct, would be equally disagreeable to him. And thereore, though he be yet but a young man, (1 Tim. iv. 12,) let no man despise or make light of him ; but on the contrary, bring him forward on his journey in peace, and do all that you can to make it commodious and agreeable to him ; that so he may come to me at Ephesus, as soon as possible : for I expect him here with the other brethren,ᵍ who are now the companions of his

tells us it was written from Phillippi, is very far from being authentic, and I hope it will be remembered, that no credit is to be given to any of these additions, which have been very presumptuously made, and I think very imprudently retained.

ᶠ A great and effectual door is opened, &c.] Some think that here is an allusion to the door of the Circus, from whence chariots were let out when the races were to begin ; and that the word αὐκυμνοί, which I render opposers, signifies the same with antagonists, with whom the apostle was to contend, as in a course. (Acts xix. 20, &c.)

This opposition rendered his presence more necessary, to preserve those that were already converted, and to increase the number, if God should bless his ministry. Accordingly a celebrated church was planted at Ephesus ; and so far as we can learn from the tenor of his epistle to it, there was less to correct and reprove among them, than in most of the other churches to which he wrote.

ᵍ I expect him here with the brethren.] The original words are something ambiguous ; but I have taken the sense which seemed most natural. Accordingly I think

Reflections on the affair of the collection.

journey, and who are all dear to me in the bonds of Christian love.

But as for [our] brother Apollos, who is so well known to you, and for whom many of you have so high a regard, I am sorry to tell you, that you are not at present to expect a visit from him. I was indeed very importunate with him to come to you with Timothy, and the other brethren; as I have an entire confidence, both in his friendship and prudence, and hoped, that whatever improper use has been made of his name in opposition to mine, (compare chap. i. 12, chap. iii. 4—6,) his presence among you might have been useful, just at this crisis. Nevertheless, he was by no means willing to come now, lest any advantage should be taken from that circumstance to inflame those divisions he would gladly do his utmost to allay: but he will come when he shall have a convenient opportunity; and you may assure yourselves, that he retains a most cordial affection for you, and tender solicitude for your peace and prosperity.

IMPROVEMENT.

LET ministers, from the example of the apostle, learn to be ready 1 to promote charitable collections for the relief of poor Christians: and let them frequently exhort their hearers to do good, and to communicate; reminding them, that their contributions ought to 2 bear a proportion to the degree in which God has been pleased to prosper them. We see an evident reference to the stated assemblies of the church on the first day of the week in this early age; and it is a proper duty of that day to devise and execute liberal things, according to our respective abilities. 3,4 The prudent caution of St. Paul, as to the management of pecuniary affairs, is worthy the attention of the ministers of the gospel; and may teach them to take care, not only that they satisfy their own consciences, in the fidelity of their transactions; but also, that they provide things honest in the sight of all men. The apostle’s courage, in making the opposition he met with at Ephesus a reason for his continuance there, may instruct us not 8 to study our own ease in the choice of our abode; but rather to

it probable, that he came to Ephesus before St. Paul was driven out of it by the tumult; and that the apostle being obliged to leave that city in so abrupt a manner,

desired Timothy to stay a while after him, to settle the affairs of that important church more completely than he had an opportunity of doing it, 1 Tim. i. 3.

The apostle exhorts them to courage and love;

prefer those circumstances, however disagreeable in themselves, wherein we may be providentially led to do most, for the advancement of religion in the world.

His care, that his young friend Timothy might be as easy as possible, constitutes likewise a very amiable part of his character; and suggests, in a manner well worthy of notice, how careful private Christians should be, that they do not terrify and distress the minds of those who are entering on the ministerial office. A faithful disposition to labour in the work of the Lord, ought to command respect; yet sometimes, as in the instance of Apollos, even that diligence may be so liable to misrepresentation, that it may be the wisdom of ministers to absent themselves from places where they have many to caress and admire them. On the whole, the great business of life is to glorify God, in doing our best for promoting the happiness of mankind; and no self denial ought to seem hard to us, while we keep that glorious end in view.

1 Corinthians 16:13

The apostle concludes with some particular salutations, and directions; with general exhortations to courage and love, a solemn benediction to true Christians, and an awful denunciation against those that were destitute of love to Christ. 1 Cor. XVI. 13, to the end.

Cor. XVI. 13. WATCH ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 1 CORINTHIANS XVI. 13. NOW, my brethren, to conclude all, suffer a word of the most affectionate exhortation. Remember the situation in which you are, and with how many formidable enemies you are surrounded, and be watchful against all their assaults; stand fast in the profession of the Christian faith; acquit yourselves not like children, but as men of knowledge and fortitude: and be strong in dependance on the best supports, while you make that your constant care. And that you may not mistake this exhortation, as breathing any thing of a contentious spirit, or fitted only for persons in military life, I would subjoin this necessary caution; let all your affairs be transacted in

• Stand fast—acquit yourselves like men, strength of resolution; κραταιωθι, to that be strong.] There is no need of seeking a cheerful and courageous expectation of a happy different sense of each word. If there be event, which the consciousness of so good any difference, αὐδεξις may refer to a cause would naturally administer.

And to pay all proper regard to the house of

mutual love, and under the influence of that noble principle of unfeigned benevolence which I have been so largely describing and recommending in the former part of this epistle. (See chap. xiii.)

And I farther beseech you, my brethren, that forasmuch as ye know the household of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, he, and they, being among the first that were converted to Christianity in all your country, ye pay a proper regard to them; and so much the rather, as they have set themselves with peculiar resolution and care, according to the rank in which Providence has placed them, and the abilities which God hath given them, to the labour and charge of ministering to the saints.ᵇ Now I would by all means inculcate it upon you, that you should, in your respective ranks and circumstances of life, subject yourselves to such, and not only pay them all due personal regard, but act as you have opportunity, in harmony with them; and that under their influence you should do your utmost for the good of your Christian brethren. And thus I would have you behave to every associate in that good work and labour in which they are engaged; especially to those who are honoured with the ministerial office.

I could not but rejoice greatly at the arrival and presence of that worthy person I have just mentioned, that is, Stephanas, and of Fortunatus,ᶜ and Achaicus, who accompanied him; because they filled up your deficiency with respect to me, and gave me by their converse and friendly offices, that consolation which I might justly have expected from you all, had I enjoyed an opportunity of conversing with you, and about which I could, for your own sakes, wish that some of you had been more solicitous. For they refreshed my spirit greatly by their obliging behaviour, and edifying conversation; as I doubt

ᵇ They have set themselves, &c.] This cems to imply, that it was the generous are of the whole family to assist their fellow Christians; so that there was not a ember of it which did not do its part. ᶜ Fortunatus.] This worthy man survived St. Paul a considerable time; for it appears from the epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, (§ 59,) that he was the messenger of the church at Corinth to that of Rome, by whom Clement sent back that invaluable epistle.

sends his salutation to them with his own hand.

ot but they have often refreshed yours by their ministrations among you. Therefore I must gain urge it upon you, that you pay all proper regard to such, and treat them on every occasion, with such respect and affection as so worthy a character well deserves.

I must now tell you, that the churches of the provincial Asia, which lie about Ephesus, and with whom I have frequent opportunities of corresponding, salute you with all Christian affection; heartily wishing you peace and prosperity. Your good friends, Aquila and Priscilla, who have made so long an abode among you, and are now providentially brought hither, most affectionately salute you in the bowels of our common Lord. And with these tokens of respect receive those of the church in their house, as you know their family is happy in a large number of Christian members. But I will not enter into a more particular detail of names; for your society is so celebrated, and esteemed of so great importance to the Christian interest, that I may truly say, that all the brethren salute you. Entertain therefore that affection for each other, which those that are almost strangers bear to you, and salute one another with an holy kiss; but let it be as cordially sincere as I doubt not but it will be decent.

I have hitherto used the assistance of a friend, to write what I dictated to him; but in order to assure you that this epistle is genuine, I here add the salutation of [me] Paul, your well known minister, and father in the gospel, with my own hand; most cordially wishing you every blessing, both temporal and spiritual. And let me here add, (that being thus written with my own pen, it may have the greater weight;) If there be any man amongst you, or elsewhere, who under the specious forms of Christianity, loveth not the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity; but maintains a secret alienation of heart from him

a Aquila and Priscilla.] They had form- in their salutations. Some copies add, erly made some abode at Corinth; and πᾶς οὐ ξυπλομαί, with whom also I lodge; there St. Paul’s acquaintance with them but the authority of those manuscripts is commenced. Acts xviii. 1, 2. It is small. therefore no wonder they were particular

He gives them his benediction.

while he calls himself his servant, preferring any interest of his own to that of his Divine Master; let him be Anathema Maranatha: such an one is indeed worthy of the most dreadful curse, and if he persist in such a wretched temper, it will certainly fall upon him. And let him be assured, that though his crime be of such a nature as not to admit human conviction and censure; yet it is known to him whose eyes are as a flame of fire, so that he searches the hearts and trieth the reins. And ere long, the Lord himself will come in awful pomp, to execute vengeance upon him, pronouncing him accursed before the assembled world, and devoting him to utter and everlasting destruction.

But it is my hearty prayer, that no such root of bitterness and heir of misery may be found among you; and that it may not, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you, and all the blessed tokens and effects of his favour rest upon you, for time and eternity!

Be assured, that in what I have here said, I intend nothing in the least unkind to any single person among you. Far from that, my tenderest and most affectionate love [be] with you all in Christ Jesus; depend therefore upon

Anathema—Maranatha.] Among the many various interpretations of these words, none seems to me so probable and satisfactory as this; when the Jews lost the power of life and death, they used nevertheless to pronounce an anathema on persons who according to the Mosaic law, should have been executed; and such a person became an anathema, or cherem, or accursed; for the expressions re equivalent. They had a full persuasion, that the curse would not be in vain; and indeed it appears they expected some judgment, correspondent to that which the law pronounced, would befall he offender; for instance, that a man to be stoned, would be killed by the falling of a stone or other heavy body upon him; a man to be strangled, would be choked; or one whom the law sentenced to the times, would be burnt in his house, and he like. Now to express their faith, that God would one way or another, and probably in some remarkable manner inter- se, to add that efficacy to his own sen- tence which they could not give it; it is

very probable they might use the words, Maranatha, that is, in Syriac, the Lord cometh, or he will surely and quickly come to put this sentence in execution, and to shew, that the person on whom it falls, is indeed anathema, accursed. In beautiful allusion to this, when the apostle was speaking of a secret alienation from Christ, maintained under the forms of Christianity, (which might perhaps be the case among many of the Corinthians, and much more probably may be so among us,) as this was not a crime capable of being convicted and censured in the Christian church, he reminds them, that the Lord Jesus Christ will come at length, and find it out, and punish it in a proper manner. This weighty sentence the apostle chose to write with his own hand, and insert between his general salutation and benediction, that it might be the more attentively regarded. Compare Grot. on Rom. v. 13; and Isa. xiv. 20. Bisho Patrick on Deut. xxvii 15. My love [be] with you all in Christ Jesus.] When we consider, what an alien-

Reflections on the conclusion

my constant readiness to do all in my power, for promoting and establishing the Christian interest among you : and may it flourish more and more, till your happiness be completed in the kingdom of God above. Amen.

IMPROVEMENT.

HOWEVER the particular trials of Christians may vary in different ages, the same works in general demand their diligence : the same enemies, their watchfulness ; the same difficulties, their courage and fortitude : nor will they ever be more likely to perform, to resist, and to endure well, than when charity reigns in their hearts, and presides over the whole of their behaviour.

We owe our humble thanks to the author of all good, when he raises up the spirits of his servants to any distinguished activity and zeal in his cause. Christians of standing superior to their brethren, ought to emulate such a character ; and when they do so with genuine marks of becoming modesty and upright views, let all proper respect be paid to them : especially to those who are honoured with, and labour faithfully in, the ministerial office. To such let others submit themselves in love ; not indeed, as to the lords of their faith, which even the apostles pretended not to be ; but as friends, whom they esteem and reverence, ever tenderly solicitous to secure their comfort, and increase their usefulness.

We see, how much the apostle was concerned to promote mutual friendship among the disciples of our blessed Redeemer : how kindly he delivers the salutations of one, and another. It becomes us to remember each other with cordial regard ; and in imitation of this wise example, to do all we can to cultivate a good understanding among our Christian brethren ; and to abhor that disposition to sow discord, which has been so fatally successful in producing envyings, and strife, and every evil work.

To conclude all ; let us lay up in our memory, and often review, this awful sentence, this Anathema, Maranatha, which, to give it the greater weight, the apostle records with his own hand. Let it ever be remembered, that professing Christians, who do not sincerely love their master, lie under the heaviest curse which an apostle can pronounce, or a God inflict. Let the unhappy creatures take the alarm, and labour to obtain a more ingenuous temper, ere the Lord, whom they neglect, and against

ation of affection some of these Corinthians had expressed, with respect to the apostle, this expression of tender regard to them all without any exception, is so much the more affectionate ; but it would not have been agreeable to the generous spirit which dictated it, to have glanced too plainly on that circumstance in the paraphrase.

first epistle to the Corinthians.

certain a secret enmity, descend f error, and pronounce the anathe tances which shall for ever cut fits being reversed. If his so nightly hand will immediately e down to destruction, as in a mo nsumed with terrors! To preve profession, of our towering hop us Christ be with us. Amen.

the FAMILY EXPOSITOR on the to the CORINTHIANS.

TH

FAMILY EXPOSIT

OR,

A PARAPHRASE

ON THE

EPISTLE OF PAUL TH

TO THE

CORINTHIANS;

WITH

NOTES, AND A PRACTICAL

O A H E T I N.

A

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

TO THE

PARAPHRASE AND NOTES

ON THE

SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.

THE first epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians was written, as hath been before observed, from Ephesus, about the year of our Lord 57; towards the end of his continuance there, and in the neighbouring parts. (See Vol. III sect. 44, noteᵃ.) Upon leaving Ephesus, the apostle removed to Troas, which was situated on the shore of the Egean sea, in the expectation of meeting Titus, and receiving an account of the success with which he hoped his former epistle had been attended, and of the present state of the Corinthian church; (2 Cor. ii. 12.) But not meeting him there, (ver. 13.) he proceeded to Macedonia, where he obtained his desired interview, and received satisfaction concerning the promising state of affairs at Corinth. From this place the apostle wrote his second epistle to the Corinthians, intrusting it to the care of Titus, who was returning to Corinth to forward the collection intended for the poor Christians in Judea. From these historical circumstances, the date of this second epistle must be fixed within a year after the former. (See Vol. III. sect. 45, noteᵇ.)

In the Introduction to the first epistle we observed, that its design was to rectify some sad disorders and abuses which had crept into the church of Corinth; and answer their queries upon some important points, in which they had desired his determination. The intention of the present epistle is, in general, to illustrate some of the same points upon which he had discoursed in the former, according to the light which Titus had given him into

A general introduction

the circumstances and temper of the Corinthian church; interspersing and enforcing some occasional reflections and advices upon various subjects, as he thought most conducive to their instruction and edification.

But to give a more distinct view of the scheme and contents of this second epistle. The apostle, after a general salutation, expresses his grateful sense of the Divine goodness, in preserving him from the dangers to which he had been exposed in Asia; professing his unshaken confidence in God’s continued guardianship, supported by a sense of his own integrity: (chap. i. 1—12.) Which declaration of his integrity he further illustrates; applying it particularly to those views on which he had declined the visit to Corinth, which in the former epistle he seems to have promised. (ver. 13, to the end.) The case of the unhappy person, who had committed incest with his father’s wife, and whom, upon account of the scandal he had brought on his Christian profession, the apostle directed them to exclude from communion, had made a deep impression on his mind: This, he intimates, was the reason of his having deferred his visit to Corinth; that he might not meet them with grief, nor till he had received advice of the effect of his apostolical admonitions, and their salutary and seasonable discipline. The affection of the apostle to the Corinthians is here manifested, both in his sympathy with the offending member of their church while under censure, whom now, being penitent, he advises them to readmit to their communion; and also in his solicitude for certain tidings concerning their welfare by Titus, whom not finding at Troas, (as before observed,) he went to meet in Macedonia. (chap ii. 1—15.)

In further vindication and support of his apostolical character against the insinuations and objections of the false teachers at Corinth, the apostle, having just intimated that a large door of success had been opened to him at Troas, and elsewhere, makes a transition to this subject; and expresses in the most affectionate terms his thanksgiving to God for having intrusted him with the ministry of the gospel, and for the success attending his services; declaring his lively confidence in all events, of the Divine

to the second epistle to the Corinthians.

acceptance, and speaking of the Corinthians as his credentials written by the finger of God. (ver. 14, to the end, chap. iii. 1—6.) And as an illustration of the dignity of the ministerial office, he descants in a very pertinent and judicious manner, on the comparative obscurity of the Mosaic law, and the superior glory and permanence of the gospel. (ver. 7, to the end.) He then disclaims all sinister views, and distrust of success, in pursuing the glorious ministry he had described, from a firm persuasion that such a gospel could not be rejected, but in consequence of the most fatal prejudices. (chap. iv. 1—6.) And while he acknowledges his own infirmities, he glories in the strength communicated to him from God, as an effectual support under the extremest trials; (ver. 7—15;) describing the glorious hopes which he entertained beyond the grave, as a ground of triumph in the face of danger, and a noble incentive to persevering fidelity and steadfastness. (ver. 16, to the end; chap. v. 1—10.) Touching again upon the ardour with which he prosecuted the gospel ministry, he makes a kind of apology for it, pleading the irresistible constraints of the Redeemer’s love, and the infinite importance of the overtures of reconciliation; which in a most pathetic address he urges the Corinthians to embrace; (ver. 11, to the end. chap. vi. 1, 2;) and then expatiates with great copiousness on the temper with which, in the midst of afflictions and persecutions, he and his brethren executed their important embassy. (ver. 3—10.)

It is easy to observe, on the most cursory view of this argument, with what delicacy, as well as energy, it is all along conducted. As the apostle manages his subject in the tenderest and most affectionate manner, and intermingles general reflections for the instruction and consolation of the Corinthians; which however had an evident subservience to his main design; he conciliates their regard, and fixes the impressions which his former epistle had made, in a more insinuating and therefore more effectual way, than if he had exerted his authority, and wrote with more closeness and severity of stile. And having been informed by Titus, that the defence of his mission, and apology for his conduct, contained in his former epistle, had not been utterly in vain, he manifests

VOL. 4.

A general introduction

his satisfaction in the present disposition of the Corinthians, by giving his reasonings upon this head a more diffusive and practical turn.

After this, the epistle affords us a farther instance of his affection, in his judicious and pathetic exhortations to the Corinthians, (additional to what he had formerly said, when they desired his opinion upon the head of marriage,) to avoid those alliances or intermarriages with idolaters, which might tend to insnare them; pleading the gracious promises of God to his people, as an engagement to the strictest purity, and as a motive to aspire after the sublimest attainments in religion. (ver. 11, to the end. chap. vii. 1)

From this digression he returns to the subject he had before been treating; and to remove any degree of prejudice which might yet lurk in their breasts against his apostolical character, he appeals to them for the integrity and disinterestedness of his conduct; professing that the freedom he uses, was not intended to reproach their diffidence, but sprung from an unfeigned and ardent concern for their welfare; which he illustrates by the pleasure with which he received the assurances of their good state by Titus, and the part he had taken in their sorrows, which his necessary reproofs had occasioned, and by his present joy, in that those sorrows had happily issued in their reformation. (ver. 2, to the end.)

The apostle had proposed to the Corinthians, in the close of the former epistle, their making a contribution for the relief of the poor saints in Judea: resuming the subject, he recommends to them the example of the Macedonians, reminds them of the grace of our blessed Redeemer, and gives some advices as to the manner of collecting and transmitting their bounty; (chap. viii. 1—13,) expressing his joy for the readiness of Titus to assist in finishing the collection, and making an honourable mention of the worthy character of other Christian brethren, whom he had joined with him in the same commission. (ver. 16, to the end.) He then with admirable address further urges their liberal contribution, and in a full assurance of its success, recommends them to the Divine blessing. (chap. ix. throughout.)

to the second Epistle to the Corinthians.

Having expressed in the former part of the epistle, and on occasion of this contribution, his confidence in the abundant grace which had been bestowed on the Corinthians, the apostle takes an opportunity of stating and obviating some reflections which some among them had thrown upon him for the mildness of his conduct, as if it proceeded from fear. He therefore asserts his apostolical power and authority; cautioning his opponents that they should not urge him to give too sensible demonstrations of it upon themselves. (chap. x. throughout.) And further vindicates himself from the perverse insinuations of such as opposed him at Corinth; particularly on the head of his having declined to receive a contribution from the church for his maintenance; which, though greatly to his honour, was by his opposers ungenerously turned to his disadvantage. (chap. ix. 1—15.) To magnify his office as an apostle, he commemorates his labours and sufferings in the cause of Christ; yet in such a manner, as plainly shews, it was disagreeable, however necessary it might be, to dwell on a subject that appeared like sounding his own applause. (ver. 16, to the end.) And with great clearness and plainness, yet at the same time with equal reluctance and modesty, he gives a detail of some extraordinary revelations which he had received from God, and of his experience of those Divine aids which taught him to glory in his own infirmities. (chap. xii. 1—10.) And upon the whole, vindicates the undisguised openness and sincerity of his conduct, and his visible superiority to secular considerations, in all his carriage towards the church at Corinth. (ver. 11, to the end.) Closing his epistle with the tenderest assurances, how much it would grieve him to be obliged to evince his apostolical power, by inflicting any miraculous punishment on those who continued to oppose him; and then subjoining the most respectful salutations, and his solemn benediction. (chap. xiii. throughout.)

It is evident from this view of the epistle, that a very large part of it is employed in reclaiming the Corinthian church from their undue attachment to Judaizing teachers, and from that party spirit into which they had fallen; and in rekindling proper regards to the unadultered doctrine of the gospel, and to his own apostolical counsels,

A general introduction, &c.

who had been their spiritual father in Christ. That this leading design of the apostle is occasionally interrupted by the introduction of other matters, and particularly the subject of the contribution for the poor saints in Judea, will be no objection, I apprehend, if narrowly examined, to the accuracy and beauty of this excellent composition; for the transitions which St. Paul makes, arise from some obvious and important sentiments, which render them natural and just. And there is an admirable wisdom in such digressions, as they relieve the minds of the Corinthians from that painful uneasiness which they must have felt from a constant attention to so disagreeable a subject; I mean their unsuitable conduct towards the apostle himself. It is with the same kind of propriety and sagacity, that the severe intimations, which the dignity of the apostolic character obliged St. Paul to drop against those who might persevere in their opposition, are reserved to the close of the epistle; as they would fall with additional weight, in all probability, after their minds had been softened with the reiterated expressions of his tender affection to the Corinthians in general, and the innocence and amiableness of his character had been represented in such a variety of views.

PARAPHRASE AND NOTES

ON

THE SECOND EPISTLE TO

THE

CORINTHIANS.