THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
CORINTHIANS

1 Corinthians 16

1Paul directeth the Corinthians how to proceed in their collections for the relief of the brethren at Jerusalem. 5He mentioneth his design of visiting them, 10and commendeth Timothy, who was coming to them. 13After some seasonable admonitions, 19he closeth the epistle with various salutations.


1NOW concerning 1the collection for 2the saints, as I 3have given order 4to the churches of Galatia, even so 5do ye.

1 Namely, of money which was collected in the congregation.

2 That is, for the poverty-stricken believers being at Jerusalem, amongst whom there was great want, as well by reason of the dearth foretold by Agabus, Acts 11:28, as also because of the hard persecution against this congregation, which was thereby necessitated to request relief of the congregations of Greece, which then flourished. Of this collection see also, Rom. 15:25, 26; 2 Cor. 8:1; Gal. 2:10.

3 Namely, in what manner and time this collection may suitably be ordered and made.

4 See of these churches, Gal. 1:2.

5 That is, imitate their example, in liberal giving, Rom. 12:13, as well as in observing the order in collecting, which is described in the following verse.

2Upona the 6first day 7of the week let 8every one of you 9lay by him in 10store, as God 11hath prospered him, that 12there be no gatherings when I come.

a Acts 11:29; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1.

6 Gr. one. Hebraism. See similar phrase, Gen. 1:5; Dan. 1:9. See also Mat. 28:1; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1.

7 Gr. of the Sabbaths, whereby the whole week is often denominated. See Mark 16:9; John 20:1. This first day is called by John the Lord’s Day, Rev. 1:10, because the Lord Christ arose on that day from the dead. On this day the apostles used to hold their assemblies, John 20:19, 26; Acts 20:7.

8 Namely, member of your congregation who has any means.

9 Namely, to be given for the necessary supply of the poor; for to lay away somewhat now and then does not burden so much, and many a little makes a mickle.

10 That is, so in time, bringing, as it were, a treasure together. Or, being assured that thereby you shall gather yourselves a treasure in heaven, Mat. 6:20.

11 The Greek word properly signifies to have a good way or journey, as Rom. 1:10, and is, by a similitude, taken for all manner of prosperity. Everyone must give then according as God has blessed him, 2 Cor. 8:12.

12 Namely, which then in haste cannot be made so conveniently and beneficial for the poor.

3And when I come, 13whomsoever ye shall approve 14by your letters, them will I send to bring your 15liberality unto Jerusalem.

13 Namely, to transfer faithfully the gathered alms.

14 This by your letters may be joined with the foregoing word approve in this sense, whom you shall name yourselves by letters unto me and give notice of whom you judge them capable and faithful for this purpose. Or, with the following words will I send, namely, with my letters of recommendation to the congregation of Jerusalem.

15 Gr. your grace, that is, your alms which you shall give them of mere goodness and mercy, by the grace of God. See 2 Cor. 8:1.

4And if it be 16meet 17that I go also, they shall go with me.

16 Or, be needful.

17 The apostle offers his service willingly to take the efforts if it would be thought needful; which he also did, as appears in Acts 24:17; Rom. 15:25.

5Now Ib will come unto you, 18when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

b 2 Cor. 1:15.

18 When the apostle wrote this epistle, he was then not yet come into Macedonia, but it appears from verses 8 and 19, that he was yet in Ephesus at that time. From which it follows that the apostle wrote this epistle from Ephesus.

6And it 19may be that I will abide, yea, and 20winter with you, that 21ye may bring me on my journey 22whithersoever I go.

19 That is, if the Lord permits it. See verse 7, James 4:15.

20 That is, abide with you the entire winter through, that you may sufficiently make use of my service.

21 That is, some of your congregation, whom you shall appoint thereunto.

22 Namely, whether it be to Jerusalem, if it be found needful that I myself shall do this service, or shall travel anywhere else to spread abroad the Gospel.

7For I will not see you now 23by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, 24if the Lord permit.

23 Or, as traveling through, without tarrying with you.

24 Seeing He especially guides our journeys by His Spirit whither so ever He will send us; and by the Same also sometimes hinders us, that we may not go whither we had purposed. See an example thereof Acts 16:7. See also Jer. 10:23; Rom. 1:10; James 4:15.

8But I will tarry 25at Ephesus until 26Pentecost.

25 Where he had been two years, Acts 19:10.

26 See about this word the annotations on Acts 2:1 and 20:16.

9For a great 27door and 28effectual is opened unto me, and there are 29many adversaries.

27 That is, here is good opportunity given me to spread abroad the Gospel. See Acts 14:27; 2 Cor. 2:12; Rev. 3:8.

28 In respect of the powerful blessing which the Lord gives for the propagating of the Gospel, and the conversion of many.

29 Namely, who seek to hinder the course of the Gospel; wherefore my presence here is yet necessary to withstand the same, and to strengthen the congregation against them.

10Now if 30Timotheus come, see that he may be with you 31without fear: for he worketh 32the work of the Lord, 33as I also do.

30 See of him, Acts 16:1 and 1 Tim. 1:2. Paul had sent him with Erastus to visit the congregations. Acts 19:22.

31 Namely, of the enemies of the Gospel, of the Gentiles as well as of false brethren, who caused much trouble to the upright teachers of the Gospel and brought them into danger.

32 Namely, of the preaching of the Gospel, 1 Tim. 3:1.

33 Who proclaims the Gospel, and executes the ministry of the Word with the same diligence and faithfulness as I, Philip. 2:20, although he was no apostle, but an evangelist, 2 Tim. 4:5.

11Let no man therefore 34despise him: but conduct him forth 35in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

34 Namely, because of his youth, 1 Tim. 4:12.

35 That is, that he may come unto me certainly and prosperously without trouble and danger.

12As touching our brother 36Apollos, I 37greatly 38desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was 39not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

36 See of this Apollos, Acts 18:24, etc.; 19:1; 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:6, 22.

37 Gr. much.

38 Or, exhorted him.

39 Without a doubt, he had thereof weighty reasons; some think that by his presence he might not set up the party which said: I am of Apollos, 1 Cor. 1:12.

1340Watch ye, 41stand fast in the faith, 42quitc you like men, 43be strong.

40 Namely, against the wiles and snares of Satan, 1 Peter 5:8.

41 That is, continue steadfast, 1 Cor. 15:58.

42 Namely, in all troubles and dangers, that you may courageously overcome the same.

c behave.

43 Namely, in soul, endued with spiritual strength, to withstand thereby and to overcome all temptations.

1444Let all your things be done with charity.

44 This exhortation the apostle propounded previously at large in chapter 13, and he rehearses the same again here in the conclusion of the epistle, forasmuch as it is very necessary to take away all division and schism, which commonly arise for want of love.

15I beseech you, brethren, (ye know 45the house of 46Stephanas, that it is 47the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have 48addicted themselves 49to the ministry of the saints,)

45 That is, the household.

46 See of him, 1 Cor. 1:16. It seems that he was a deacon of the congregation of Corinth, and a man of respect.

47 That is, he was among the first in Achaia who received the Gospel and were converted unto Christ, and baptized by myself, 1 Cor. 1:16. Epænetus is also mentioned in Rom.16:5, because he also was one of the first, who are therefore the more to be commended and to be held in esteem.

48 Gr. ordained, that is, have freely and wholly given themselves to that ministry, to wit, when they were lawfully called thereunto, Acts 6:3, 5.

49 That is, to serve the poverty-stricken believers by gathering and distributing of alms, and affording them other relief, Acts 6:1; Rom. 15:25.

16That ye 50submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that 51helpeth with us, and laboureth.

50 Namely, not only by obedience in the things concerning their ministry, but also by reverence for the sake of their ministry, Eph. 5:21.

51 Namely, with them, in the same or similar ministry, all who must be held in honor for the sake of their ministry, 1 Thes. 5:13.

17I am glad 52of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for 53that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

52 These three had traveled from Corinth to Paul to make known to him the state of the congregation there, that he, to free them from all evil suspicion, commends, and declares that their coming was acceptable to him.

53 Namely, your absence, that is, I was so delighted with their coming, as if in these few I had had all the rest of the members of the congregation of Corinth with me.

18For they have 54refreshed 55my spirit and 56yours: therefore 57acknowledge ye them that are such.

54 Or, given rest, namely, by their conferences and instructions of the condition of your congregation.

55 That is, my soul, my heart.

56 Namely, because I am assured that when you shall understand that my soul is refreshed, yours also will be refreshed therewith.

57 That is, hold them in good esteem, dignity and love.

19The churches 58of Asia salute you. 59Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, 60with the church that is in their house.

58 Therefore the apostle was then in Asia, and not in Macedonia. See verses 5, 8.

59 See of these, Rom. 16:3. They were departed with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus, Acts 18:2.

60 See also Rom. 16:5.

20All the brethren greet you. Greetd ye one another 61with an holy kiss.

d Rom. 16:16; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thes. 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14.

61 See the annotation on Rom. 16:16.

21The salutation of me Paul with 62mine own hand.

62 Namely, with which I have signed this epistle. It seems that the apostle had a special manner to subscribe his hand which was known to the congregations, with mine own hand Paul. See Col. 4:18 and 2 Thes. 3:17, in order that his epistles might the better be discerned from others, and that he used also to place the following apostolic wish, verse 23, under all his epistles with his own hand.

22If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be 63Anathema 64Maran-atha.

63 About this word, see Rom. 9:3; Gal. 1:8.

64 This is a Chaldean or Syriac word, which seems to have been in usage then to express a very great curse, which by the Hebrews is called cherem. And signifies, as some think, the Lord cometh or, our Lord cometh. This curse the apostle pronounces upon impenitent persons, not out of an evil motion of the mind, but out of an apostolic spirit, and holy zeal. See Jude verses 14, 15.

2365The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

65 This is the common conclusion of all the epistles of the apostle.

2466My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

66 Seeing the apostle propounds some things in this epistle somewhat hard, therefore he declares here that the same is done not out of ill will, but out of love to them.