An Exposition of Pauls Epistles, Letter 2 · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
THere are three parts of this last Chapter. In the first is contained the last Article of the Epistle, concerning a Collection for the poor Jews, to vers. 5. In the second is contained the conclusion, shewing, for the most part familiar matters, to vers. 19. In the third hee mentions salutations of the Saints, to the end.
Vers. 1. Now concerning the Collection for the Saints, as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia, even so do yee.
As touching the Collection: The famine which was prophesied by Agabus, Act. 11.28. as also the persecution, did much distress the Churches in Iudea, wherefore the Apostles living at Ierusalem, exhort Paul and Barnabas, that they would take care to make a collection amongst the Gentiles, to succour the need of the poor Jewes, Gal. 2.20. hee speaks of this contribution, commanding that on the Lords Day (whereupon all Christians ceased from their labours, and met publikely to the Worship of God) that every one according to his ability, without vainglory, should cast something into the Treasury.
There are six reasons of his Exhortation: The first is from the example of other Churches, by name of those which were in Galatia, who were bound to the same duty, under the same Precepts.
Vers. 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 bee no gatherings when I come.
Reason 2. Because nothing is required of them unfitting or burdensome, but that once every week, in convenient time and place, every one would contribute according to that measure wherewith God had blessed him: And the manner is plain, whereby the collection might bee made publikely every Lords Day, and yet every one should lay it by himself, i. e. no man knowing the sum: We may imagine that they imitated the example of the Antient Church, a bored Chest being placed in the entrance to the house where they met for the Worship of God.
Lest when I come] Reason 3. Because hee was about to come unto them, to enquire of their obedience. Here wee have the fourth Reason, lest upon their putting off, or neglecting the matter, they might bee found unprepared when the Apostles should come, and might make their collection not so seasonable, with greater difficulty and prejudice.
Vers. 3. And when I come, whomsoever you shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
Reason 5. Hee prevents an objection, lest there should bee any suspition of laying out their collection: Behold, I will commit your charitable contribution to bee carried to Jerusalem, unto men approved, chosen by your selves, whom I will send together with you, with letters.
Vers. 4. And if it bee meet that I go also, they shall go with mee.
Reason 6. Because this business so well likes mee, that I am ready, not only to commend your messengers to the Churches which are in Iudea, by our Epistle, but if it shall seem meet, I also have determined to go along with those whom you commit the charge of this business to.
The Second Part.
Vers. 5. Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass thorough Macedonia: for I do pass thorough Macedonia.
6. And it may bee that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that yee may bring mee on my journey whithersoever I go.
7. For I will not see you now by the way, but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
The second part of the Chapter is the Epilogue of the Epistle, containing for the most part matters familiar, which also appertained to the edification of the Corinthians: The Articles of this conclusion are six: The first concerns his coming, whereof hee gives them hopes, ver. 5. and of his stay among them, for the confirmation of mutual friendship, and their consolation, if it was the Will of God, ver. 6, 7.
Vers. 8. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
9. For a great door and effectual is opened unto mee, and there are many adversaries.
Why hee deferred his coming, (determining to stay longer at Ephesus) till the time of the Jews Feast, (which to that day, they that Judaized observed) hee gives two Reasons. 1. Because God had opened a great door, or offered an abundant occasion for the gaining of many, or converting them to the Gospel, and apparently gave a blessing to his labours, which hee calls an effectual door. Another Reason, because the tumult of adversaries was so great, his Presence was most requisite, and Satan in his absence did much harm.
Vers. 10. Now if Timotheus come, see that hee may bee with you without fear: for hee worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
11. Let no man therefore despise him, but conduct him forth in peace, that hee may come unto mee, for I look for him with the Brethren.
Article 2. Wherein hee carefully commends Timothy unto them, if hee should come to them, as his most dear Son (who is called the Apostles Son, because in Preaching the Gospel hee followed his steps, serving God holily, as hee did) that they would defend him from injuries, treat him honourably, bring him on his journey when hee returned, guard him from dangers by the way, that hee might come safe to him.
Vers. 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 hee will come when hee shall have convenient time.
Article 3. Wherein (that the Corinthians might not take it ill, that the Apostle while hee came, did not send Apollos the Evangelist, a man familiar with them, who watered the Apostles planting amongst them) hee clears himself, that hee had not a will then to come, but gives them hopes of his coming, when hee shall have a fit opportunity.
Vers. 13. Watch yee, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men: bee strong.
14. Let all your things bee done with charity.
Article 4. Wherein hee exhorts them to five military duties of Christian-souldiers. 1. That although neither hee nor Apollos should come unto them, yet in the mean time they should keep continual watch, lest Satan should come upon them while they were secure, and drunk with worldly cares. 2. That they should bee constant in the Faith, firmly holding the truth of the Gospel, being united unto Christ by Faith. 3. That they would shew themselves men, in every combate against the adversaries of Faith and their salvation. 4. That they would bee strong in the Power of God, and not faint under the evils they any time met with. 5. That they would constitute Charity the Arbitrator of all things, both Ecclesiastical and Civil, serving the common good in every thing.
Vers. 15. I beseech you, Brethren, (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves, to the Ministery of the Saints,)
16. That yee submit your selves to such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
Article 5. Wherein hee commends to them Stephanas, with his family, who in the office of Deacon assisted him, that they would have honourable respects to him, and his family: First, Because with the first they gave their names to Christ. 2. Because hee willingly addicted himself in the office of a Deacon to the Church of Corinth, and that according to the order which was required in the constituting of Deacons: Therefore the Apostle wills them as subject to these, that they give them due honour, or that which is convenient to their Ministery: Hee understands not politick subjection onelyonly, in respect to their office, but also moral, whereby wee shew our selves reverend and obedient to them, who excel in virtue: In the mean time wee exclude not that subjection which is due to Deacons for their office sake, who administer with the rest of the Presbytery about Ecclesiastical matters, wherein Stephanas with his family was imployed.
Vers. 17. I am glad of the comming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for that which was lacking on your part, they have supplied.
18. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge yee them that are such.
Article 6. Wherein hee commends their sending of three Brethren from Corinth, unto him, because they supplied the stead of the Corinthians in visiting of him; They are said to have refreshed the Spirit of the Apostle, and the Corinthians, because as they had gratified the Corinthians who sent them, so likewise the Apostle to whom they were sent; wherefore hee would have them esteemed so much the more, both these, and they that were like unto them.
The third Part.
Vers. 19. The Churches of Asia salute you; Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the Church that is in their house.
20. All the Brethren geeet you; greet you one another with an holy kiss.
The third part of the Chapter follows, wherein after hee hath saluted the Corinthians. 1. In the name of the Ephesians, and the rest of the Churches of Asia. 2. In the name of Priscilla and Aquila and their families, vers. 19. 3. In the name of the Brethren his companions, who lived in his society; Hee wills them (as the Eastern manner was) to salute one another with a kiss (as wee, with joyning right hands) without deceit or dissimulation, and that they perform those things, and all other expressions of love holily.
Vers. 21. The salutation of mee Paul with mine own hand.
Further hee signs this Epistle (being written by the hand of another) with a salutation, and his own hand, that it may bee known to bee his own; Because in those times Epistles were feigned in the name of the Apostles, 2 Thes. 2.1. Therefore it was needful that by some manifest token they should bee known to the Church.
Vers. 22. If any man love not the Lord Iesus Christ, let him bee Anathema Maranatha.
In the close of the Epistle hee laies down an Apostolical malediction against the haters and enemies of Christ, both secret and open, using the words of extreamest execration: For by this solemn form, Maranatha, i. e. THE LORD COMMETH, the Church testified that they had performed all the parts of their office towards such a man: And for the future by a common consent let him alone, and referred him to the last judgement of God, or to the comming of the Lord, as one that was desperate amongst men: In the mean while the Apostle doth not excommunicate hypocrites from the external society of the Church, but threatens utter destruction unless they repent.
Vers. 23. The Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ bee with you.
24. My love bee with you all in Christ Iesus.
Finally after his Apostolical benediction, by his Authority applied to the Church of Corinth, hee signifies his special love towards them, that they may bee convinced in themselves, that whatever hee had set down in this Epistle, whether by way of reprehension, or exhortation, it came all from his love towards them.