1 Corinthians 16

— the church that is in their house.] That is, their Christian family. The phrase seems to signify a family consisting wholly of Christian converts, as was the jailor’s, Acts xvi. 31, 32; and that of Crispus, Acts xviii. 8. When the family was not entirely converted, the Apostle uses a different phrase. See Rom. xvi. 10, 11, 14, 15; Col. iv. 15. Dr. Whitby.

1 Corinthians 16:3

3. — whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters.] The letters, of which the Apostle speaks, seem to be from the Corinthians to the brethren in Jerusalem, informing them that the persons who presented these letters were appointed by them to attend the Apostle when he delivered the collections at Jerusalem. The meaning would be more clearly conveyed, if the clause were rendered, ‘Whomsoever ye shall authorize by letters.’ Dr. Macknight.

1 Corinthians 16:4

4. — they shall go with me.] To be witnesses of the distribution of your charity. Dr. Whitby.

1 Corinthians 16:5

5. — when I shall pass] Or, shall have passed through Macedonia. Dr. Whitby.

1 Corinthians 16:9

9. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, &c.] The door of a house being the passage into it, ’the opening of a door’ in the Eastern phrase signified the affording of an opportunity to a person of doing a thing. The phrase occurs in other passages of Scripture. See Col. iv. 3; Hos. ii. 15. The Apostle’s long abode at Ephesus was owing to his great success in converting the Ephesians and such strangers as had occasion to resort to that metropolis. But about the time this Epistle was written, his success was greater than common. For many who used “curious arts,” the arts of magick and divination, were converted, and burned their books, containing the secrets of these arts, Acts xix. 17—20. This so enraged the idolaters at Ephesus, but especially the craftsmen, that they raised the great tumult described, Acts xix. 23—41. Dr. Macknight.

1 Corinthians 16:10

10. — without fear:] That is, without fear of disturbance from the factious. Dr. Whitby. At this time Timothy being young and extremely attached to the Apostle, there was some reason to fear that the faction would treat him ill, more especially if he reproved them for their disorderly practices. Dr. Macknight.

1 Corinthians 16:11

11. Let no man therefore despise him:] This charge is not given concerning any other messenger, whom St. Paul sent; and in the different Epistles many such messengers are mentioned. In 1 Tim. iv. 12, it is found that Timothy was a young man, younger probably than

those who were usually employed in the Christian mission; and that St. Paul, apprehending lest he should on that account be exposed to contempt, urges on him the caution which is there inserted, “Let no man despise thy youth.” Archdeacon Paley.

— but conduct him forth in peace.] Bring him on his journey in a kind and friendly manner. Dr. Wells.

— for I look for him with the brethren.] Namely, Erastus, who had been sent with Timothy to Corinth, Acts xix. 22; and Titus, who carried this letter; and another brother, whose name is not mentioned; see 2 Cor. xii. 17, 18: perhaps also some of the Corinthian brethren, whom the Apostle had desired Titus to bring with him to Ephesus. Dr. Macknight.

1 Corinthians 16:12

12. — his will was not at all to come at this time;] Perhaps because he would not by his presence countenance a faction begun under his name. Dr. Whitby, Burkitt. St. Jerome says, Apollos actually went to Corinth after the disturbances had ceased. Dr. Macknight.

1 Corinthians 16:13

13, 14. Watch ye, &c.] The Apostle draws his advice to a conclusion with charging them, to be upon their guard against the designing heads of their factions; to stand firm to the doctrines at first delivered to them; to behave themselves with manly courage and resolution; and to let all their actions, both in publick assemblies and in private conversation, be conducted with a constant eye to the good of their brethren, and to the peace of the church. Pyle.

The Apostle’s main design being to put an end to the faction and division among them, it is no wonder that we find unity and charity so much and so often pressed in this and the other Epistle. Locke.

1 Corinthians 16:15

15. — it is the firstfruits of Achaia, &c.] They received the Gospel at the first preaching of it in Achaia, and have ever since been very bountiful to all the poor Christians. Dr. Hammond.

1 Corinthians 16:16

16. That ye submit yourselves unto such, &c.] That you honour and reverence them, and such as they, and all that join with them in the propagation of the Gospel and faith of Christ. Dr. Hammond. The word, rendered “submit yourselves,” is not to be understood here in its strict sense of being subject to, but only as implying

1 Corinthians 16:17

17. — Fortunatus] This worthy man survived St. Paul a considerable time; for it appears from the Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, that he was the messenger of the church at Corinth to that of Rome, by whom Clement sent back that invaluable Epistle. Dr. Doddridge. — for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.] They have given me a much fuller account of the state and disposition of your church, than I should otherwise have had. Pyle.

1 Corinthians 16:18

18. For they have refreshed my spirit] With their presence and discourse; “and yours” also, by taking upon them to come and bring me this account. Burkitt, Dr. Wells. — acknowledge ye them that are such.] Own their services, and honour them for the same. Burkitt.

1 Corinthians 16:19

19. The churches of Asia] Of the lesser Asia. See the note on Acts ii. 9. Asia, throughout the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of St. Paul, does not mean the whole of Asia Minor or Anatolia, nor even the whole of the proconsular Asia, but a district in the anterior part of that country, called Lydian Asia, divided from the rest much as Portugal is from Spain, and of which district Ephesus, whence St. Paul wrote this Epistle, was the capital, Archdeacon Paley. — Aquila and Priscilla] They had formerly made some abode at Corinth, and there St. Paul’s acquainance with them commenced, Acts xviii. 1, 2. It is Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

1 Corinthians 16:20

20. — an holy kiss.] See the note on Rom. xvi. 16.

1 Corinthians 16:21

21. — with mine own hand.] The rest of the Epistle being written by his amanuensis. See Rom. xvi. 22;

1 Corinthians 16:22

22. — let him be Anathema Maran-atha.] That is, accursed when the Lord comes to judgment. Dr. Whitby. The Greek word “Anathema” signifies execrable; the Syriack word “Maran-atha,” the Lord cometh. Burkitt. The imperative is here put for the future. Dr. Macknight. The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi] It was really written from Ephesus. The postscripts or subscriptions at the end of the Epistles make no part of the apostolical writings, and are not at all times to be depended upon. Bp. Tomline.

The following Chapters from the First Epistle to the Corinthians are appointed for Proper Lessons, or as Portions

of Scripture for Epistles, on Sundays and Holydays: