1 Corinthians 16

1 the collection for the saints. Cp. Rom. xv. 26, 27; 2 Cor. viii.; Gal. ii. 10.

2 the first day of the week. That is, “on the first day of every week.” See note on Acts xx. 7. By the hallowed associations of the day each member might be most strongly impelled to help in supplying the needs of his Lord’s disciples. The offerings were to be retained by the donors until the arrival of the apostle.

3 whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters. Rather, “Whom ye shall approve, them I will send with letters.”

4 and if it be meet that I go also. This proved to be the case: see Rom. xv. 25-27; Acts xxiv. 17.

5 when I shall pass through Macedonia. That is, on his journey to Corinth from Ephesus, where he wrote this Epistle: see ver. 8. He seems to have previously told them of another plan; on which see 2 Cor. i. 15, etc. But having changed it, he emphatically repeats the new arrangement: “I do pass,” i.e., such is my fixed purpose.

6 winter with you. Until the navigation was re-opened, and he could sail for Syria. See Acts xx. 3.

7 by the way. A passing visit on the way to Macedonia.

8. I will (shall) tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. The Epistle was probably written a few weeks before Pentecost: see on ch. v. 7. Paul may have left Ephesus somewhat sooner than he intended, owing to the tumult raised by the silversmiths (Acts xx. 1).

10 if Timotheus come. Timothy had been sent to Macedonia (Acts xix. 22); whence he would probably go on to Corinth (iv. 17). Being young, and perhaps somewhat timid (see 1 Tim. iv. 12), he might be daunted by the disorderly spirit of the Corinthians. They are therefore bidden to treat him with due respect. Whether he actually reached Corinth at this time is uncertain: see on 2 Cor. i. 1.

11 the brethren. Erastus (Acts xix. 22) and others, who took charge of this Epistle. So in ver. 12.

12 [his] will was not at all to come at this time. Perhaps on account of the way in which some had used his name (see i. 12; iii. 4-6). That Paul had full confidence in his prudence and faithfulness is manifest from his great desire that he should revisit the church. Apollos might think the “convenient time” to be when they should have ceased from party strife.

13. Watch ye, etc. In this and the next verse he enforces the lesson of ch. xiii. about the supreme need of love.

15 the firstfruits of Achaia. See i. 16; and note, Rom. xvi. 5.

17 coming. Rather, “presence”; viz., in Ephesus. They may have brought the letter from Corinth (vii. 1).

that which was lacking on your part, etc. Rather, “The lack of you (i.e., your absence) they have supplied” by their company, which has cheered me; and they will, when they return, cheer you by the testimony of my love (18).

19 of Asia. That is, of Proconsular Asia, of which Ephesus was the chief city: cp. Acts. xvi. 6.

Aquila and Priscilla. These two eminent Christians had removed from Corinth to Ephesus (see Acts xviii. 2, 26; Rom. xvi. 3).

20 a holy kiss. See note on Rom. xvi. 16.

21 with mine own hand. See note on Rom. xvi. 22.

22 anathema. A Greek word, signifying accursed. It should be separated by a full stop from the following word.

Maran-atha. An Aramaic phrase, meaning, “Our Lord cometh.” Moffatt says it probably means, “Lord, come.”

24. My love be with you, etc. My reproofs may seem severe, but be assured of the earnestness of my love.

[The first Epistle to the Corinthians, etc.] This postscript is of no authority: see note on the postscript to Romans. It appears from ver. 8, that Paul was not at Philippi, but at Ephesus, when he wrote this Epistle. Probably the postscript arose from a misunderstanding of ver. 5, “I do pass through Macedonia.”

yea, yea, and nay, nay. The repetitions denote emphatic assertion. Am I a man who declares, almost in the same breath, “I will,” and “I will not”? The apostle’s answer to this is that as a preacher of Him who was absolutely faithful in all His words, he too must be faithful and sincere.