CHAPTER
XVI
CONCLUDING
WORDS
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Summary—The Collections for the Saints. The First Day of the
Week. His Work at Ephesus. Timothy Commended to Them. Various Friendly Admonitions.
Closing Salutations.
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1–4. Concerning the collection for the saints. The collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem is referred
to more than once in Acts. It was first called for when “a great dearth” came
upon the land (Acts 11:28–30). The church at Jerusalem had been impoverished
by the great liberality in its first years, and by the persecutions which
followed. See also Acts 24:17. References to this collection are found in
Rom. 15:26; 2 Cor. 8:1, 2; 2 Cor. 9:1, 2. To the churches of Galatia.
The directions to the churches of Galatia on this subject have not been
preserved. Such hints as this and the reference to a lost letter to the church
of Corinth (5:9), show that all that Paul wrote has not come down to us. 2.
Upon the first day of the week. This shows that the first day of the week
was set apart and regarded by the church. Acts 20:7, shows that the church
assembled to break bread on that day. Let every one of you lay by him in
store. The usual view is that every one was directed to set aside something
on the Lord’s day and keep it until Paul came. This view is sanctioned by the
translations and most of the commentators. Macknight renders: “On the first
day of the week, let each one of you lay somewhat by itself, putting it into
the treasury.” I believe Macknight is right; for (1) there were to be no
collections when Paul came. That implies that the money was to be placed in the
treasury. Otherwise, it would have to be collected. (2) Thesaurizoon,
rendered in the Common Version “in store,” is a present participle, meaning
literally, “putting into the thesaurus,” or “treasury.” (3) All church
history testifies that the early church took up weekly collections on the first
day of the week. See Pliny’s Letter to the Emperor Trajan. (4) We know, from
Acts 21:7, and from all early church history, that the church met on the
first day of the week. It only remains to add that par’ heauto, rendered
by the translators “by him,” is rendered with equal correctness, “by
itself.” Its form is that of the neuter reflexive pronoun. As God hath
prospered him. Each week every one is to give according to his ability. 3.
Whomsoever ye shall approve. The church should select its own messengers,
giving them letters as credentials. He lets the Corinthians choose the bearers
of their own bounty. 4. If it be meet that I go. He did not then know
whether he would go or not. In the outcome he did go (Acts 19:21; 20:3)
5–9. I will come unto you, etc. He outlines his plans. He probably wrote in the spring. He
intends to visit the churches in Macedonia, and then, perhaps, winter at
Corinth. This he did, spending three months (Acts 20:2, 3). 6. That ye may
set me forward on my journey. Give him aid, and perhaps company in going elsewhere.
7. For I will not now see you by the way. He will not sail direct across
the Ægean Sea to Corinth, and go from thence to Macedonia. He would have to
hurry away from Corinth too soon, unless he went to Macedonia first. 8. I
will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. He was then writing before
Pentecost, which came in the latter part of the spring. 9. For a great and
effectual door is opened. His ministry in Ephesus was very successful. See
Acts, chapter 19. There are many adversaries. Demetrius and his
fellow-craftsmen had probably begun their agitation.
10–12. Now if Timothy come, etc. We learn (Acts 19:22) that Timothy and Erastus had been
sent to Macedonia, and Timothy (1 Cor. 4:17) was instructed to stop at
Corinth on the way. Paul asks that he be kindly received. 11. Let no man
despise him. He was a young man. See 1 Tim. 4:12. I expect him with
the brethren. That he came with them, as expected, is seen from 2 Cor.
1:1. 12. As touching our brother Apollos. Apollos was then at Ephesus
when Paul wrote. I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren.
Possibly with Timothy and Erastus. See note on verse 10. For some reason
Apollos was averse to visiting Corinth at that time.
13, 14. Watch ye.
Be on the watch; a matter very needful in as gay and corrupt a city as Corinth.
14. Let all … be done in love. Compare chapter 13. This would prevent
the divisions which he had rebuked in chapters 1–4.
15–20. I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of Stephanas). Paul had baptized the household of Stephanas. See 1 Cor.
1:16. They were his first converts at Corinth. 16. That ye submit
yourselves to such. In view of the fact that they were devoted to the
ministry. 17. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas. Stephanas is named
in 1 Cor. 1:16 and above in verse 15. The other two are not named elsewhere.
These three doubtless brought to Paul the letter referred to in 7:1, and
probably carried back the present letter. 19. The churches of Asia salute
you. Of the Roman province of Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital. Seven
of the churches of “Asia” are named in the Book of Revelation. Aquila and
Priscilla salute you. We first meet this excellent pair at Corinth (Acts
18:2); afterwards they had gone to Ephesus (Acts 18:26). With the church
in their house. The early church had no church buildings, and would be
compelled to meet often in private houses. The house of Aquila and Priscilla
was such a place of meeting. See note on Romans 16:23. 20. Greet ye one
another with a holy kiss. See note on Romans 16:16.
21–24. The salutation of me, Paul, with mine own hand. Paul’s letters were written by an amanuensis (Rom.
16:22), but he always added a salutation in his own hand as a proof of
genuineness (2 Thess. 3:17). 2 Thess. 2:2, implies that spurious letters
were circulated. 22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be
Anathema. That is, accursed. Maranatha. This means, “Our Lord
cometh.” It is likely that he means, “If any church member love not, etc.”
He is not speaking of the outside world.
Excerpt from:
The People's New Testament
by Barton
Warren Johnson
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