Chapter 16
A
collection for the poor at Jerusalem
|
1–9
|
Timothy
and Apollos commended
|
10–12
|
Exhortation
to watchfulness in faith and love
|
13–18
|
Christian
salutations
|
19–24
|
Verses 1–9
The good
examples of other Christians and churches should rouse us. It is good to lay up
in store for good uses. Those who are rich in this world, should be rich in
good works, 1Ti 6:17, 18. The diligent hand will not make rich, without the
Divine blessing, Pr 10:4, 22. And what more proper to stir us up to charity to
the people and children of God, than to look at all we have as his gift? Works
of mercy are real fruits of true love to God, and are therefore proper services
on his own day. Ministers are doing their proper business, when putting
forward, or helping works of charity. The heart of a Christian minister must be
towards the people among whom he has laboured long, and with success. All our
purposes must be made with submission to the Divine providence, Jas 4:15.
Adversaries and opposition do not break the spirits of faithful and successful
ministers, but warm their zeal, and inspire them with fresh courage. A faithful
minister is more discouraged by the hardness of his hearers’ hearts, and the
backslidings of professors, than by the enemies’ attempts.
Verses 10–12
Timothy
came to do the work of the Lord. Therefore to vex his spirit, would be to
grieve the Holy Spirit; to despise him, would be to despise Him that sent him.
Those who work the work of the Lord, should be treated with tenderness and
respect. Faithful ministers will not be jealous of each other. It becomes the
ministers of the gospel to show concern for each other’s reputation and
usefulness.
Verses 13–18
A
Christian is always in danger, therefore should ever be on the watch. He should
be fixed in the faith of the gospel, and never desert or give it up. By this
faith alone he will be able to keep his ground in an hour of temptation.
Christians should be careful that charity not only reigns in their hearts, but
shines in their lives. There is a great difference between Christian firmness
and feverish warmth and transport. The apostle gave particular directions as to
some who served the cause of Christ among them. Those who serve the saints,
those who desire the honour of the churches, and to remove reproaches from
them, are to be thought much of, and loved. They should willingly acknowledge
the worth of such, and all who laboured with or helped the apostle.
Verses 19–24
Christianity
by no means destroys civility. Religion should promote a courteous and obliging
temper towards all. Those give a false idea of religion, and reproach it, who
would take encouragement from it to be sour and morose. And Christian
salutations are not mere empty compliments; but are real expressions of
good-will to others, and commend them to the Divine grace and blessing. Every
Christian family should be as a Christian church. Wherever two or three are
gathered together in the name of Christ, and he is among them, there is a
church. Here is a solemn warning. Many who have Christ’s name much in their
mouths, have no true love to him in their hearts. None love him in truth, who
do not love his laws, and keep his commandments. Many are Christians in name,
who do not love Christ Jesus the Lord in sincerity. Such are separated from the
people of God, and the favour of God. Those who love not the Lord Jesus Christ,
must perish without remedy. Let us not rest in any religious profession where
there is not the love of Christ, earnest desires for his salvation, gratitude
for his mercies, and obedience to his commandments. The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ has in it all that is good, for time and for eternity. To wish that our
friends may have this grace with them, is wishing them the utmost good. And
this we should wish all our friends and brethren in Christ. We can wish them
nothing greater, and we should wish them nothing less. True Christianity makes
us wish those whom we love, the blessings of both worlds; this is meant in wishing
the grace of Christ to be with them. The apostle had dealt plainly with the
Corinthians, and told them of their faults with just severity; but he parts in
love, and with a solemn profession of his love to them for Christ’s sake. May
our love be with all who are in Christ Jesus. Let us try whether all things
appear worthless to us, when compared with Christ and his righteousness. Do we
allow ourselves in any known sin, or in the neglect of any known duty? By such
inquiries, faithfully made, we may judge of the state of our souls.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
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