Chapter 16
In this chapter the apostle, I. Gives directions about some
charitable collection to be made in this church, for the afflicted and
impoverished churches in Judea (v. 1-4). II. He talks of paying them a visit
(v. 5-9). III. He recommends Timothy to them, and tells them Apollos intended
to come to them (v. 10–12). IV. He presses them to watchfulness, constancy,
charity, and to pay a due regard to all who helped him and his fellow-labourers
in their work (v. 13–19). V. After salutations from others, and his own, he
closes the epistle with a solemn admonition to them, and his good wishes for
them (v. 20 to the end).
Verses 1-4
In this chapter Paul closes this long epistle with some particular
matters of less moment; but, as all was written by divine inspiration, it is
all profitable for our instruction. He begins with directing them about a
charitable collection on a particular occasion, the distresses and poverty of
Christians in Judea, which at this time were extraordinary, partly through the
general calamities of that nation and partly through the particular sufferings
to which they were exposed. Now concerning this observe,
I. How he introduces his direction. It was not a peculiar service
which he required of them; he had given similar orders to the churches of
Galatia, v. 1. He desired them only to conform to the same rules which he
had given to other churches on a similar occasion. He did not desire that
others should be eased and they burdened, 2 Co. 8:13. He also prudently
mentions these orders of his to the churches of Galatia, to excite emulation,
and stir them up to be liberal, according to their circumstances, and the
occasion. Those who exceeded most churches in spiritual gifts, and, as it is
probable, in worldly wealth (see the argument), surely would not suffer
themselves to come behind any in their bounty to their afflicted brethren.
Note, The good examples of other Christians and churches should excite in us a
holy emulation. It is becoming a Christian not to bear to be outdone by a
fellow-christian in any thing virtuous and praise-worthy, provided this
consideration only makes him exert himself, not envy others; and the more
advantages we have above others the more should we endeavour to exceed them.
The church of Corinth should not be outdone in this service of love by the
churches of Galatia, which do not appear to have been enriched with equal
spiritual gifts nor outward ability.
II. The direction itself, concerning which observe,
1. The manner in which the collection was to be made: Every
one was to lay by in store (v. 2), have a treasury, or fund, with himself,
for this purpose. The meaning is that he should lay by as he could spare from
time to time, and by this means make up a sum for this charitable purpose.
Note, It is a good thing to lay up in store for good uses. Those who are rich
in this world should be rich in good works, 1 Tim. 6:17, 18. The best way to be
so is to appropriate of their income, and have a treasury for this purpose, a
stock for the poor as well as for themselves. By this means they will be ready
to every good work as the opportunity offers; and many who labour with their
own hands for a livelihood should so work that they may have to give to him that
needeth, Eph. 4:28. Indeed their treasury for good works can never be very
large (though, according to circumstances, it may considerably vary); but the
best way in the world for them to get a treasury for this purpose is to lay by
from time to time, as they can afford. Some of the Greek fathers rightly
observe here that this advice was given for the sake of the poorer among them.
They were to lay by from week to week, and not bring in to the common treasury,
that by this means their contributions might be easy to themselves, and yet
grow into a fund for the relief of their brethren. "Every little,’’ as the
proverb says, "would make a mickle.’’ Indeed all our charity and
benevolence should be free and cheerful, and for that reason should be made as
easy to ourselves as may be. And what more likely way to make us easy in this
matter than thus to lay by? We may cheerfully give when we know that we can
spare, and that we have been laying by in store that we may.
2. Here is the measure in which they are to lay by: As
God hath prospered them; ti an
euodoµtai, as he has been prospered, namely,
by divine Providence, as God has been pleased to bless and succeed his labours
and business. Note, All our business and labour are that to us which God is
pleased to make them. It is not the diligent hand that will make rich by
itself, without the divine blessing, Prov. 10:4, 22. Our prosperity and success
are from God and not from ourselves; and he is to be owned in all and honoured
with all. It is his bounty and blessing to which we owe all we have; and
whatever we have is to be used, and employed, and improved, for him. His right
to ourselves and all that is ours is to be owned and yielded to him. And what
argument more proper to excite us to charity to the people and children of God
than to consider all we have as his gift, as coming from him? Note, When God
blesses and prospers us, we should be ready to relieve and comfort his needy
servants; when his bounty flows forth upon us, we should not confine it to
ourselves, but let it stream out to others. The good we receive from him should
stir us up to do good to others, to resemble him in our beneficence; and
therefore the more good we receive from God the more we should do good to
others. They were to lay by as God had blessed them, in that proportion. The
more they had, through God’s blessing, gained by their business or labour,
their traffic or work, the more they were to lay by. Note, God expects that our
beneficence to others should hold some proportion to his bounty to us. All we
have is from God; the more he gives (circumstances being considered), the more
he enables us to give, and the more he expects we should give, that we should
give more than others who are less able, that we should give more than
ourselves when we were less able. And, on the other hand, from him to whom God
gives less he expects less. He is no tyrant nor cruel taskmaster, to exact
brick without straw, or expect men shall do more good than he gives ability.
Note, Where there is a willing mind he accepts according to what a man hath,
and not according to what he hath not (2 Co. 8:12); but as he prospers and
blesses us, and puts us in a capacity to do good, he expects we should. The
greater ability he gives, the more enlarged should our hearts be, and the more
open our hands; but, where the ability is less, the hands cannot be as open,
however willing the mind and however large the heart; nor does God expect it.
3. Here is the time when this is to be done: The first
day of the week, kata mian sabbatoµn (Lu. 24:1), the Lord’s day, the Christian holiday, when
public assemblies were held and public worship was celebrated, and the
Christian institutions and mysteries (as the ancients called them) were
attended upon; then let every one lay by him. It is a day of holy rest; and the
more vacation the mind has from worldly cares and toils the more disposition
has it to show mercy: and the other duties of the day should stir us up to the
performance of this; works of charity should always accompany works of piety. True
piety towards God will beget kind and friendly dispositions towards men. This
commandment have we from him that he who loveth God love his brother also,
1 Jn. 4:21. Works of mercy are the genuine fruits of true love to God, and
therefore are a proper service on his own day. Note, God’s day is a proper
season on which to lay up for charitable uses, or lay out in them, according as
he has prospered us; it is paying tribute for the blessings of the past week,
and it is a proper way to procure his blessing on the work of our hands for the
next.
4. We have here the disposal of the collections thus made:
the apostle would have every thing ready against he came, and therefore gave
direction as before: That there be no gatherings when I come, v. 2. But,
when he came, as to the disposal of it, he would leave it much to themselves.
The charity was theirs, and it was fit they should dispose of it in their own
way, so it answered its end, and was applied to the right use. Paul no more
pretended to lord it over the purses of his hearers than over their faith; he
would not meddle with their contributions without their consent. (1.) He tells
them that they should give letters of credence, and send messengers of their
own with their liberality, v. 3. This would be a proper testimony of their
respect and brotherly love to their distressed brethren, to send their gift by
members of their own body, trusty and tenderhearted, who would have compassion
on their suffering brethren, and a Christian concern for them, and not defraud
them. It would argue that they were very hearty in this service, when they
should send some of their own body on so long and hazardous a journey or
voyage, to convey their liberality. Note, We should not only charitably relieve
our poor fellow-christians but do it in such a way as will best signify our
compassion to them and care of them. (2.) He offers to go with their
messengers, if they think proper, v. 4. His business, as an apostle, was not to
serve tables, but to give himself to the word and prayer; yet he was never
wanting to set on foot, or help forward, a work of charity, when an opportunity
offered. He would go to Jerusalem, to carry the contributions of the church at
Corinth to their suffering brethren, rather than they should go without them, or
the charity of the Corinthians fail of a due effect. It was no hindrance to his
preaching work, but a great furtherance to the success of it, to show such a
tender and benign disposition of mind. Note, Ministers are doing their proper
business when they are promoting or helping in works of charity. Paul stirs up
the Corinthians to gather for the relief of the churches in Judea, and he is
ready to go with their messengers, to convey what is gathered; and he is still
in the way of his duty, in the business of his office.
Verses 5-9
In this passage the apostle notifies and explains his
purpose of visiting them, concerning which, observe, 1. His purpose: he
intended to pass out of Asia, where he now was (vide v. 8, 19) and to go
through Macedonia into Achaia, where Corinth was, and to stay some time with
them, and perhaps the winter, v. 5, 6. He had long laboured in this church, and
done much good among them, and had his heart set upon doing much more (if God
saw fit), and therefore he had it in his thoughts to see them, and stay with
them. Note, The heart of a truly Christian minister must be much towards that
people among whom he has long laboured, and with remarkable success. No wonder
that Paul was willing to see Corinth and stay with them as long as the other
duties of his office would permit. Though some among this people despised him,
and made a faction against him, doubtless there were many who loved him
tenderly, and paid him all the respect due to an apostle and their spiritual
father. And is it any wonder that he should be willing to visit them, and stay
with them? And as to the rest, who now manifested great disrespect, he might
hope to reduce them to a better temper, and thereby rectify what was out of
order in the church, by staying among them for some time. It is plain that he
hoped for some good effect, because he says he intended to stay, that they
might bring him on his journey whithersoever he went (v. 6); not that they
might accompany him a little way on the road, but expedite and furnish him for
his journey, help and encourage him to it, and provide him for it. He is to be
understood of being brought forward in his journey after a godly sort (as it is
expressed, 3 Jn. 6), so that nothing might be wanting to him, as he himself
speaks, Tit. 3:13. His stay among them, he hoped, would cure their factious
humour, and reconcile them to himself and their duty. Note, It was a just
reason for an apostle to make his abode in a place that he had a prospect of
doing good. 2. His excuse for not seeing them now, because it would be only
by the way (v. 7), en parodoµ—in transitu—en passant: it would only be a
transient visit. He would not see them because he could not stay with them.
Such a visit would give neither him nor them any satisfaction or advantage; it
would rather raise the appetite than regale it, rather heighten their desires
of being together than satisfy them. He loved them so much that he longed for
an opportunity to stay with them, take up his abode among them for some length
of time. This would be more pleasing to himself, and more serviceable to them,
than a cursory visit in his way; and therefore he would not see them now, but
another time, when he could tarry longer. 3. We have the limitation of this
purpose: I trust to tarry awhile with you, if the Lord permit, v. 7.
Though the apostles wrote under inspiration, they did not know thereby how God
would dispose of them. Paul had a purpose of coming to Corinth, and staying
there, and hoped to do good thereby. This was not a purpose proceeding from any
extraordinary motion or impulse of the Spirit of God; it was not the effect of
inspiration; for had it been such he could not have spoken of it in this
manner. A purpose formed thus in him must have been the purpose of God,
signified to him by his Spirit; and could he say he would come to Corinth upon
this view only, if God permit, that is, that he would execute God’s own purpose
concerning himself, with God’s permission? It is to be understood then of a
common purpose, formed in his own spirit. And concerning all our purposes it is
fit we should say, "We will execute them if the Lord permit.’’ Note, All
our purposes must be made with submission to the divine providence. We should
say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this and that, James 4:15.
It is not in us to effect our own designs, without the divine leave. It is by
God’s power and permission, and under his direction, that we must do every
thing. Heathens have concurred in acknowledging this concern of Providence in
all our actions and concerns; surely we should readily own it, and frequently
and seriously attend to it. 4. We have his purpose expressed of staying at
Ephesus for the present. He says he would stay there till pentecost, v. 8. It
is very probable that at the time of writing this epistle he was in Ephesus,
from this passage, compared with v. 19, where he says, The churches of Asia
salute you. A proper salutation from Ephesus, but hardly so proper had he
been at Philippi, as the subscription to this epistle in our common copies has
it. "The churches of Macedonia salute you’’ had been much more
properly inserted in the close of a letter from Philippi, than the other. But,
5. We have the reason given for his staying at Ephesus for the present: Because
a great door, and effectual, was opened to him, and there were many
adversaries, v. 9. A great door and effectual was opened to him; many were
prepared to receive the gospel at Ephesus, and God gave him great success among
them; he had brought over many to Christ, and he had great hope of bringing
over many more. For this reason he determined to stay awhile at Ephesus. Note,
Success, and a fair prospect of more, was a just reason to determine an apostle
to stay and labour in a particular place. And there were many adversaries,
because a great door, and an effectual, was opened. Note, Great success in the
work of the gospel commonly creates many enemies. The devil opposes those most,
and makes them most trouble, who most heartily and successfully set themselves
to destroy his kingdom. There were many adversaries; and therefore the apostle
determined to stay. Some think he alludes in this passage to the custom of the
Roman Circus, and the doors of it, at which the charioteers were to enter, as
their antagonists did at the opposite doors. True courage is whetted by
opposition; and it is no wonder that the Christian courage of the apostle
should be animated by the zeal of his adversaries. They were bent to ruin him,
and prevent the effect of his ministry at Ephesus; and should he at this time
desert his station, and disgrace his character and doctrine? No, the opposition
of adversaries only animated his zeal. He was in nothing daunted by his
adversaries; but the more they raged and opposed the more he exerted himself.
Should such a man as he flee? Note, Adversaries and opposition do not break the
spirits of faithful and successful ministers, but only enkindle their zeal, and
inspire them with fresh courage. Indeed, to labour in vain is heartless and
discouraging. This damps the spirits, and breaks the heart. But success will
give life and vigour to a minister, though enemies rage, and blaspheme, and
persecute. It is not the opposition of enemies, but the hardness and obstinacy
of his hearers, and the backslidings and revolt of professors, that damp a faithful
minister, and break his heart.
Verses 10-12
In this passage,
I. He recommends Timothy to them, in several particulars.
As, 1. He bids them take care that he should be among them without feat,
v. 10. Timothy was sent by the apostle to correct the abuses which had crept in
among them; and not only to direct, but to blame, and censure, and reprove,
those who were culpable. They were all in factions, and no doubt the mutual
strife and hatred ran very high among them. There were some very rich, as it is
probable; and many very proud, upon account both of their outward wealth and
spiritual gifts. Proud spirits cannot easily bear reproof. It was reasonable
therefore to think young Timothy might be roughly used; hence the apostle warns
them against using him ill. Not but that he was prepared for the worst; but,
whatever his firmness and prudence might be, it was their duty to behave
themselves well towards him, and not discourage and dishearten him in his
Lord’s work. They should not fly out into resentment at his reproof. Note,
Christians should bear faithful reproofs from their ministers, and not terrify
and discourage them from doing their duty. 2. He warns them against despising
him, v. 11. He was but a young man, and alone, as Ecumenius observes. He had no
one to back him, and his own youthful face and years commanded but little
reverence; and therefore the great pretenders to wisdom among them might be apt
to entertain contemptuous thoughts of him. "Now,’’ says the apostle,
"guard against this.’’ Not that he distrusted Timothy; he knew that
Timothy would do nothing to bring contempt on his character, nothing to make
his youth despicable. But pride was a reigning sin among the Corinthians, and
such a caution was but too necessary. Note, Christians should be very careful
not to pour contempt on any, but especially on ministers, the faithful
ministers of Christ. These, whether young or old, are to be had in high esteem
for their works sake. 3. He tells them they should give him all due
encouragement, use him well while he was with them; and, as an evidence of
this, they should send him away in friendship, and well prepared for his
journey back again to Paul. This, as I have before observed, is the meaning of
bringing him on his journey in peace, v. 11. Note, Faithful ministers are not
only to be well received by a people among whom they may for a season minister,
but are to be sent away with due respect.
II. He assigns the reasons why they should behave thus
towards Timothy. 1. Because he was employed in the same work as Paul, and acted
in it by the same authority, v. 10. He did not come on Paul’s errand among
them, nor to do his work, but the work of the Lord. Though he was not an
apostle, he was assistant to one, and was sent upon this very business by a
divine commission. And therefore to vex his spirit would be to grieve the Holy
Spirit; to despise him would be to despise him that sent him, not Paul, but
Paul’s Lord and theirs. Note, Those who work the work of the Lord should be
neither terrified nor despised, but treated with all tenderness and respect.
Such are all the faithful ministers of the word, though not all in the same
rank and degree. Pastors and teachers, as well as apostles and evangelists, while
they are doing their duty, are to be treated with honour and respect. 2.
Another reason is implied; as they were to esteem him for his work’s sake, so
also for Paul’s sake, who had sent him to Corinth; not of his own errand
indeed, but to work the work of the Lord: Conduct him forth in peace, that
he may come to me, for I look for him with the brethren (v. 11); or I
with the brethren look for him (the original will bear either), ekdechomai
gar auton meta toµn adelphoµn—"I
am expecting his return, and his report concerning you; and shall judge by your
conduct towards him what your regard and respect for me will be. Look to it
that you send him back with no evil report.’’ Paul might expect from the
Corinthians, that a messenger from him, upon such an errand, should be
regarded, and well treated. His services and success among them, his authority
with them as an apostle, would challenge this at their hands. They would hardly
dare to send back Timothy with a report that would grieve or provoke the
apostle. "I and the brethren expect his return, wait for the report he is
to make; and therefore do not use him ill, but respect him, regard his message,
and let him return in peace.’’
III. He informs them of Apollos’s purpose to see them. 1. He
himself had greatly desired him to come to them, v. 12. Though one party among
them had declared for Apollos against Paul (if that passage is to be understood
literally, vide ch. 4:6), yet Paul did not hinder Apollos from going to
Corinth in his own absence, nay, he pressed him to go thither. He had no
suspicions of Apollos, as if he would lessen Paul’s interest and respect among
them, to the advancement of his own. Note, Faithful ministers are not apt to
entertain jealousies of each other, nor suspect of such selfish designs. True
charity and brotherly love think no evil. And where should these reign, if not
in the breasts of the ministers of Christ? 2. Apollos could not be prevailed on
for the present to come, but would at a more convenient season. Perhaps their
feuds and factions might render the present season improper. He would not go to
be set at the head of a party and countenance the dividing and contentious
humour. When this had subsided, through Paul’s epistle to them and Timothy’s
ministry among them, he might conclude a visit would be more proper. Apostles
did not vie with each other, but consulted each other’s comfort and usefulness.
Paul intimates his great regard to the church of Corinth, when they had used
him ill, by entreating Apollos to go to them; and Apollos shows his respect to
Paul, and his concern to keep up his character and authority, by declining the
journey till the Corinthians were in better temper. Note, It is very becoming
the ministers of the gospel to have and manifest a concern for each other’s reputation
and usefulness.
Verses 13-18
In this passage the apostle gives,
I. Some general advices; as, 1. That they should watch (v.
13), be wakeful and upon their guard. A Christian is always in danger, and
therefore should ever be on the watch; but the danger is greater at some times
and under some circumstances. The Corinthians were in manifest danger upon many
accounts: their feuds ran high, the irregularities among them were very great,
there were deceivers got among them, who endeavoured to corrupt their faith in
the most important articles, those without which the practice of virtue and
piety could never subsist. And surely in such dangerous circumstances it was
their concern to watch. Note, If a Christian would be secure, he must be on his
guard; and the more his danger the greater vigilance is needful for his
security. 2. He advises them to stand fast in the faith, to keep their
ground, adhere to the revelation of God, and not give it up for the wisdom of
the world, nor suffer it to be corrupted by it—stand for the faith of the
gospel, and maintain it even to death; and stand in it, so as to abide in the
profession of it, and feel and yield to its influence. Note, A Christian should
be fixed in the faith of the gospel, and never desert nor renounce it. It is by
this faith alone that he will be able to keep his ground in an hour of
temptation; it is by faith that we stand (2 Co. 1:24); it is by this that we
must overcome the world (1 Jn. 5:4), both when it fawns and when it frowns,
when it tempts and when it terrifies. We must stand therefore in the faith of
the gospel, if we would maintain our integrity. 3. He advises them to act like
men, and be strong: "Act the manly, firm, and resolved part: behave
strenuously, in opposition to the bad men who would divide and corrupt you,
those who would split you into factions or seduce you from the faith: be not
terrified nor inveigled by them; but show yourselves men in Christ, by your
steadiness, by your sound judgment and firm resolution.’’ Note, Christians
should be manly and firm in all their contests with their enemies, in defending
their faith, and maintaining their integrity. They should, in an especial
manner, be so in those points of faith that lie at the foundation of sound and
practical religion, such as were attacked among the Corinthians: these must be
maintained with solid judgment and strong resolution. 4. He advises them to do
every thing in charity, v. 14. Our zeal and constancy must be consistent with
charity. When the apostle would have us play the man for our faith or religion,
he puts in a caution against playing the devil for it. We may defend our faith,
but we must, at the same time, maintain our innocence, and not devour and
destroy, and think with ourselves that the wrath of man will work the
righteousness of God, James 1:24. Note, Christians should be careful that
charity not only reign in their hearts, but shine out in their lives, nay, in
their most manly defences of the faith of the gospel. There is a great
difference between constancy and cruelty, between Christian firmness and
feverish wrath and transport. Christianity never appears to so much advantage
as when the charity of Christians is most conspicuous when they can bear with
their mistaken brethren, and oppose the open enemies of their holy faith in
love, when every thing is done in charity, when they behave towards one
another, and towards all men, with a spirit of meekness and good will.
II. Some particular directions how they should behave
towards some that had been eminently serviceable to the cause of Christ among
them.
1. He gives us their character (1.) The household of
Stephanas is mentioned by him, and their character is, that they were the
first-fruits of Achaia, the first converts to Christianity in that region of
Greece in which Corinth was. Note, It is an honourable character to any man to
be early a Christian, betimes in Christ. But they had moreover addicted
themselves to the ministry of the saints, to serve the saints. They have disposed
and devoted themselves—etaxan heautous, to serve the saints, to do service to the saints. It is not
meant of the ministry of the word properly, but of serving them in other
respects, supplying their wants, helping and assisting them upon all occasions,
both in their temporal and spiritual concerns. The family of Stephanas seems to
have been a family of rank and importance in those parts, and yet they
willingly offered themselves to this service. Note, It is an honour to persons
of the highest rank to devote themselves to the service of the saints. I do not
mean to change ranks, and become proper servants to the inferiors, but freely
and voluntarily to help them, and do good to them in all their concerns. (2.)
He mentions Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, as coming to him from the
church of Corinth. The account he gives of them is that they supplied the deficiencies
of the church towards him, and by so doing refreshed his spirit and theirs,
v. 17, 18. They gave him a more perfect account of the state of the church by
word of mouth than he could acquire by their letter, and by that means much
quieted his mind, and upon their return from him would quiet the minds of the
Corinthians. Report had made their cause much worse than it was in fact, and
their letters had not explained it sufficiently to give the apostle
satisfaction; but he had been made more easy by converse with them. It was a
very good office they did, by truly stating facts, and removing the ill opinion
Paul had received by common fame. They came to him with a truly Christian
intention, to set the apostle right, and give him as favourable sentiments of
the church as they could, as peace-makers. Note, It is a great refreshment to
the spirit of a faithful minister to hear better of a people by wise and good
men of their own body than by common report, to find himself misinformed
concerning them, that matters are not so bad as they had been represented. It
is a grief to him to hear ill of those he loves; it gladdens his heart to hear
the report thereof is false. And the greater value he has for those who give
him this information, and the more he can depend upon their veracity, the
greater is his joy.
2. Upon this account of the men, he directs how they should
behave towards them; and, (1.) He would have them acknowledged (v. 11), that
is, owned and respected. They deserve it for their good offices. Those who
serve the saints, those who consult the honour and good esteem of the churches,
and are concerned to wipe off reproaches from them, and take off from the ill
opinion fame had propagated, are to be valued, and esteemed, and loved. Those
who discover so good a spirit cannot easily be over-valued. (2.) He advises
that they should submit themselves to such, and to all who helped with the
apostles, and laboured, v. 16. This is not to be understood of subjection
to proper superiors, but of a voluntary acknowledgment of their worth. They
were persons to whom they owed peculiar respect, and whom they should have in
veneration. Note, It is a venerable character which those bear who serve the
saints and labour hard to help the success of the gospel, who countenance and
encourage the faithful ministers of Christ, and endeavour to promote their
usefulness. Such should be had in honourable esteem.
Verses 19-24
The apostle closes his epistle,
I. With salutations to the church of Corinth, first from
those of Asia, from Priscilla and Aquila (who seem to have been
at this time inhabitants of Ephesus, vid. Acts 18:26), with the
church in their house (v. 19), and from all the brethren (v. 20) at
Ephesus, where, it is highly probable at least, he then was. All these saluted the
church at Corinth, by Paul. Note, Christianity does by no means destroy
civility and good manners. Paul could find room in an epistle treating of very
important matters to send the salutations of friends. Religion should promote a
courteous and obliging temper towards all. Those misrepresent and reproach it
who would take any encouragement from it to be sour and morose. Some of these salute
them much in the Lord. Note, Christian salutations are not empty
compliments; they carry in them real expressions of good-will, and are attended
with hearty recommendations to the divine grace and blessing. Those who salute
in the Lord wish their brethren all good from the Lord, and breathe out their
good wishes in fervent prayers. We read also of a church in a private family,
v. 19. It is very probable that the family itself is called the church in
their house. Note, Every Christian family should in some respects be a
Christian church. In some cases (as, for instance, were they cast away on a
foreign shore, where there are no other Christians), they should be a church
themselves, if large enough, and live in the use of all ordinances; but in
common cases they should live under the direction of Christian rules, and daily
offer up Christian worship. Wherever two or three are gathered together, and
Christ is among them, there is a church. To these salutations he subjoins, 1.
An advice, that they should greet one another with a holy kiss (v. 20),
or with sincere good-will, a tacit reproof of their feuds and factions. When the
churches of Asia, and the Christian brethren so remote, did so heartily salute
them in the Lord, and own and love them as brethren, and expressed so much
good-will to them, it would be a shame for them not to own and love one another
as brethren. Note, The love of the brethren should be a powerful incentive to
mutual love. When the other churches of Christ love us all, we are very
culpable if we do not love one another. 2. He subjoins his own salutation: The
salutation of me Paul with my own hand, v. 21. His amanuensis, it is
reasonable to think, wrote the rest of his epistle from his mouth, but at the
close it was fit that himself should sign it, that they might know it to be
genuine; and therefore it is added (2 Th. 3:17), Which is my token in every
epistle, the mark of its being genuine; so he wrote in every epistle which
he did not wholly pen, as he did that to the Galatians, Gal. 6:11. Note, Those
churches to whom apostolical letters were sent were duly certified of their
being authentic and divine. Nor would Paul be behind the rest of the brethren
in respect to the Corinthians; and therefore, after he has given their
salutations, he adds his own.
II. With a very solemn warning to them: If any man love
not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maran-atha, v. 22. We
sometimes need words of threatening, that we may fear. Blessed is he,
says the wise man, who feareth always. Holy fear is a very good friend
both to holy faith and holy living. An how much reason have all Christians to
fear falling under this doom! If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let
him be Anathema, Maran-atha. Here observe, 1. The person described, who is
liable to this doom: He that loveth not the Lord Jesus Christ. A meioµsis, as some think; he who blasphemes Christ disowns his
doctrine, slights and contemns his institutions, or, through pride of human
knowledge and learning, despises his revelations. It stands here as a warning
to the Corinthians and a rebuke of their criminal behaviour. It is an
admonition to them not to be led away from the simplicity of the gospel, or
those principles of it which were the great motives to purity of life, by
pretenders to science, by the wisdom of the world, which would call their
religion folly, and its most important doctrines absurd and ridiculous. Those
men had a spite at Christ; and, if the Corinthians give ear to their seducing
speeches, they were in danger of apostatizing from him. Against this he gives
them here a very solemn caution. "Do not give into such conduct, if you would
escape the severest vengeance.’’ Note, Professed Christians will, by contempt
of Christ, and revolt from him, bring upon themselves the most dreadful
destruction. Some understand the words as they lie, in their plain and obvious
meaning, for such as are without holy and sincere affection for the Lord Jesus
Christ. Many who have his name much in their mouths have no true love to him in
their hearts, will not have him to rule over them (Lu. 19:27), no, not though
they have very towering hopes of being saved by him. And none love him in truth
who do not love his laws and keep his commandments. Note, There are many
Christians in name who do not love Christ Jesus the Lord in sincerity. But can
any thing be more criminal or provoking? What, not love the most glorious lover
in the world! Him who loved us, and gave himself for us, who shed his blood for
us, to testify his love to us, and that after heinous wrong and provocation!
What had we a power of loving for, if we are unmoved with such love as this,
and without affection to such a Saviour? But, 2. We have here the doom of the
person described: "Let him be Anathema, Maran-atha, lie under the
heaviest and most dreadful curse. Let him be separated from the people of God,
from the favour of God, and delivered up to his final, irrevocable, and
inexorable vengeance’’ Maran-atha is a Syriac phrase, and signifies The
Lord cometh. That very Lord whom they do not love, to whom they are
inwardly and really disaffected whatever outward profession they make, is
coming to execute judgment. And to be exposed to his wrath, to be divided to
his left hand, to be condemned by him, how dreadful! If he will destroy, who
can save? Those who fall under his condemning sentence must perish, and that
for ever. Note, Those who love not the Lord Jesus Christ must perish without
remedy. The wrath of God abides on every one who believes not on the Son,
Jn. 3:36. And true faith in Christ will evermore be productive of sincere love
to him. Those who love him not cannot be believers in him.
III. With his good wishes for them and expressions of
good-will to them. 1. With his good wishes: The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you, v. 23. As much as if he had said, "Though I warn
you against falling under his displeasure, I heartily wish you an interest in
his dearest love and his eternal favour.’’ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
comprehends in it all that is good, for time or eternity. To wish 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
more, and we should wish them nothing less. We should heartily pray that they
may value, and seek, and obtain, and secure, the grace and good-will of their
Lord and Judge. Note, The most solemn warnings are the result of the tenderest
affection and the greatest good-will. We may tell our brethren and friends with
great plainness and pathos that, if they love not the Lord Jesus Christ, they
must perish, while we heartily wish the grace of Christ may be with them. Nay,
we may give them this warning that they may prize and lay hold of this grace.
Note also, How much true Christianity enlarges our hearts; it makes us wish
those whom we love the blessings of both worlds; for this is implied in wishing
the grace of Christ to be with them. And therefore it is no wonder that the
apostle should close all, 2. With the declaration of his love to them in Christ
Jesus: My love be with you all, in Christ Jesus, Amen, v. 24. He had
dealt very plainly with them in this epistle, and told them of their faults
with just severity; but, to show that he was not transported with passion, he
parts with them in love, makes solemn profession of his love to them, nay, to
them all in Christ Jesus, that is, for Christ’s sake. He tells them that his
heart was with them, that he truly loved them; but lest this, after all, should
be deemed flattery and insinuation, he adds that his affection was the result
of his religion, and would be guided by the rules of it. His heart would be
with them, and he would bear them dear affection as long as their hearts were
with Christ, and they bore true affection to his cause and interest. Note, We
should be cordial lovers of all who are in Christ, and who love him in
sincerity. Not but we should love all men, and wish them well, and do them what
good is in our power; but those must have our dearest affection who are
dear to Christ, and lovers of him. May our love be with all those who are in
Christ Jesus! Amen.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
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