1 Corinthians 16

1. The Apostle exhorts the Church of Corinth that after the example of the Churches of Galatia they would make a collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem. 2. Showeth them, how the same may be fitly done on the first day of the week, 3. and by whom sent thither, offering also his own service for this purpose. 5. Promiseth that he will come through Macedonia unto them and tarry for a time with them. 8. Gives reason why he must tarry yet at Ephesus until Pentecost. 10. Exhorts them that they should courteously receive Timothy, and let him depart, and that they should take it in good part that Apollo somewhat defers his coming. 13. Adds thereunto a general exhortation to steadfastness in the faith and love, 15. and in particular that they have the household of Stephanus in esteem, seeing he with Fortunatus and Achaicus greatly refreshed him. 19. Salutes the Church of Corinth from the Church of Asia, particularly from Aquila and Priscilla, 21. and salutes them also himself with his own hand. 22. Denounceth a curse to all that do not truly love Christ. 23. Wisheth the faithful the grace of God, and promiseth his love.

1. Now concerning the collection [Namely, of money which was collected of the Church] which (is made) for the Saints [that is, for the poor believers being at Jerusalem, amongst whom there was great want, as well by reason of the death foretold by Agabus, Acts 11:28. as also because of the hard persecution against that church, which was thereby necessitated to request relief of the churches of Greece which then flourished. Of this collection see also, Romans 15:25, 26. 2 Cor. 8. 1. Galatians 2:10.] even as I have ordained [namely, in what manner and time this collection may fitly be ordered and made] to the churches Galatia, [See of these churches, Galatians 1:2.] do ye so also. [that is, imitate their example, as well in liberal giving, Romans 12:13. as in observing the order in collecting, which is described in the following verse.]

2. On every first (day) [Gr, one. Hebr. See the like phrase, Genesis 1:5. Daniel 1:9. See also Matthew 28:1. Mark 16:9. Luke 24:1.] of the week, [Gr. of the Sabbaths’, whereby the whole week is often denominated. See Mark 16:9. John 20:1. The first day is by John called the Lords day, Revelation 1:10. because the Lord Christ rose from the dead that day. On this day the Apostles used to hold their assemblies, John 20:19, 26. Acts 20:7.] let every one of you [namely, member of your church, who hath any means] lay away (somewhat) [namely to be given for the necessary supply of the poor: for to lay away somewhat now and then doth not burden so much, and many littles make a great] by himself, gathering a treasure, [that is, so in time, bringing as it were treasure together. Or being assured that thereby you shall gather yourselves a treasure in heaven, Matthew 6:20.] according as he hath obtained welfare, [the Greek word properly signifies to have a good way or journey, as Romans 1:10. and is by a similitude taken for all manner of prosperity. Every one must give then according as God hath blessed him, 2 Cor. 8. 12.] that the gatherings may not then (first) be made when I shall be come. [namely, which then in hast cannot be made so conveniently and beneficial for the poor.]

3. And when I shall be come, whom ye shall judge fit [Namely, faithfully to carry over the gathered alms] by letters, [this by letters may be joined with the foregoing word judge fit, in this sense, whom you your selves by letters unto me shall name and give notice of, that ye judge them fit and faithful for this purpose. Or with the following word I will send, namely with my letters of recommendation to the Church of Jerusalem] the same will I send to carry over your gift [Gr. your grace, i.e. your alms which ye shall give them of mere goodness and mercy, by the grace of God. See 2 Cor. 8. 1.] unto Jerusalem.

4. And if it may be worth (the trouble) [Or be needful] that I my(self) should go also, [the Apostle offers his service willingly to take that pains if it should be thought needful: which he also did, as appears Acts 24:17. & Romans 15:25.] they shall go with me.

5. But I will come unto you when I shall have gone through Macedonia, [So then the Apostle when he wrote this Epistle was yet not come into Macedonia, but it appears from ver. 8. and 19. that then he was yet at Ephesus. From whence it followeth that is not certain which is subscribed unto this Epistle, that it should be written at Phillipi, which was a City lying in Macedonia, Acts 16:12.] (For I shall go through Macedonia.)

6. And it may be [That is, if God permit it. See ver. 7. James 4:15.] I shall tarry with you, or also winter (with you) [that is, abide with you the whole winter through, that you may sufficiently make use of my service] that ye [that is, some of your Church, whom you shall appoint thereunto] may conduct me, whither soever I shall travel. [namely, whether it be to Jerusalem, if it be found needful that I my self shall do this service, or shall travel any where else to spread abroad the Gospel.]

7. For I will not see now in passing by, [Or, as traveling through, without tarrying with you] but I hope to stay some time with you, if the Lord shall permit it. [seeing he by his sprit especially guides our journeys wither so ever he will send us: and by the same also hinders us, that we may not go wither we purposed. See example thereof Acts 16:7. See also Jeremiah 10:23. Romans 1:10. James 4:15.]

8. But I will tarry at Ephesus [Where he had been two years, Acts 19.ver.10.] until the (day of) Pentecost. [see of this word the annotate. On Acts 2:1. and 20.16.]

9. For a great and powerful [In respect of the powerful blessing which the Lord giveth for the propagating of the gospel, and the conversion of many] door [that is, here is good opportunity given me to spread abroad the Gospel. See Acts 14:27. 2 Cor. 2.12 Revel. 3.8.] is opened to me, and there are many adversaries. [namely, which seek to hinder the course of the Gospel: wherefore my presence here is yet necessary to withstand the same, and to strengthen the Church against them.]

10. Now if Timothy come, [See of him, Acts 16:1. and 1 Tim. 1.2. Him Paul had sent with Eraftus to visit the Churches, Acts 19:22.] see that he may be with you without fear; [namely, of the enemies of the Gospel as well of the Gentiles, as of the false brethren, who procured much trouble to the upright teachers of the Gospel and brought them into danger] for he worketh the work of the Lord, [namely, of the preaching of the Gospel , 1 Tim. 3.1.] even as I, [who publisheth the Gospel, and executes the ministry of the word with like diligence and faithfulness as I, Philippians 2:20. although he was no Apostle but an Evangelist, 2 Tim. 4.5.]

11. Therefore let no man despise him, [Namely, because of his youth, 1 Tim.4.12.] but conduct him in peace [that is, that he may come unto me certainly and prosperously without trouble and danger] that he may come unto me: for I expect him with the brethren.

12. And as concerning Apollo [See of this Apollo Acts 18 ver.24. etc. and 19.1. 1 Cor. 1.12.] and chapter 3. ver.6.22.] the brother, I greatly [Gr. much] entreated him [or, exhorted him] that he would come unto you with the brethren: but it was altogether not (his) will, [thereof without doubt he had weighty reasons: some think that by his presence he might not harden the party which said I am of Apollo, 1 Cor. 1.12.] that he should come now: but he come when it shall be convenient for him.

13. Watch, [Namely, against the wiles and snares of Satan, 1 Pet. 5.8.] stand in the faith, [that is, continue steadfast, 1 Cor. 15.58.] carry yourselves like men, [namely, in all troubles and dangers, that you may courageously overcome the same] be strong [namely, in soul, endured with a spiritual strength, thereby to withstand and overcome all temptations.]

14. Let all your things be done in love. [This exhortation the Apostle propounded before at large chapter 13. and he researcheth the same here in the conclusion of the Epistle, forasmuch as it is very necessary to take away all divisions and schism, which commonly arise for want of love.]

15. And I beseech you brethren, ye know the house [That is, the household] of Stephanas, [see of him 1 Cor. 1.16.] It seemeth that he was a deacon of the Church of Corinth, and a man of worth] that it the first fruits of Achaia, [that the same was among the first in Achaia who received the Gospel and were converted unto Christ, and baptized by myself, 1 Cor. 16. Epenetus is also called, Romans 16:5. because lealo was one of the first: who are therefore the mote to be commended and to be held in esteem] and (that) they have fitted themselves [Gr. ordained, i.e. have freely and wholly given themselves to that service; to wit when they were lawfully called thereunto, Acts 6.ver.3.5.] to the service of the Saints. [that is, to serve poor believers by gathering and distributing of alms, and affording them other relief, Acts 6:1. Rom. 15.ver.25.]

16. That you also submit your selves [Namely, not only by obedience in the things concerning their ministry, but also by reverence for their ministry sake, Ephesians 5:21.] to such, and every one that worketh together [namely, with them, in the same or the like ministry, all which must be held in honour for the ministry sake, 1 Thes. 5.13.] and laboureth.

17. And I rejoice for the coming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, [These three had traveled from Corinth to Paul, to make known to him the state of the Church there, whom he, to free them from all evil suspicion commendeth, and declared that their coming was acceptable to him] for these had fulfilled that which (I) lacked in you. [namely, your absence, i.e. I was delighted with their coming, as if in these few I had had all rest of the members of the Church of Corinth with me.]

18. For they have refreshed [Or given rest, namely by their conferences and informations of the condition of your Church] my spirit, [that is, my soul, my heart] and yours (also) [namely, because I am assured that ye shall understand that my soul is refreshed, yours also will be refreshed therewith] acknowledge [that is, hold in good esteem, repute and love] therefore them that are such.

19. The Churches of Asia [Therefore the Apostle was then in Asia, and not in Macedonia. See ver.5.8.] Salute you. Aquila and Priscilla [see of these Romans 16:3.] These were departed with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus, Acts 18:2.] Salute you very much in the Lord, with the Church which is at their house. [See also Romans 16:5.]

20. All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss. [See the annotate. On Romans 16:16.]

21. The salutation of Paul with my own hand [Namely, with which I have subsigned this Epistle. It seemeth that the Apostle had special manner to subscribe his hand which was known in the Churches, with mine own hand, of Paul. See Colossians 4:18. and 2 Thes. 3.17. that his Epistle might be better be discerned from others, and that he used also to set the following Apostolical with ver. 23. under all his Epistles with his own hand.]

22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be a curse, [Gr. Anathema, of which word see Romans 9:3. Galatians 1:8.] Maranatha. [this is a Chalde or Syriack word, which seems to have been usual then, to express a very great curse, which by the Hebrews is called Cherem. And signifieth as some think the Lord cometh or our Lord cometh. This curse the Apostle pronounced upon impenitent persons, not out of the evil motion of the mind, but out of an Apostolic spirit, and holy zeal. See Jud. Ver.14.15.]

23. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. [This is the ordinary conclusion of all the Epistles of the Apostle.]

24. My love [Seeing the Apostle propounds some in the Epistle some what hard; therefore he here declares that the same is done not out of ill will, but out of love to them] be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.