CHAPTER I
PAUL’S
ANXIETY OVER THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH
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Summary—Salutations. Paul’s Recent Danger in Asia. His
Conscientious Sincerity in Preaching the Gospel at Corinth. An Answer to Those
Who Criticised His Change of Plans in Coming to Corinth.
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1–7. Paul … and Timothy our brother. See notes on 1 Cor. 1:1. Timothy had been sent to Corinth
along with the First Letter (see 1 Cor. 4:17), and had now returned to Paul.
As he had so recently been on a special mission to Corinth, he joins in the
salutation. With all the saints … in the whole of Achaia. That is, in
the whole of Greece, Achaia being the Roman name of the province. Corinth was
the Roman capital. Hence it seems that other churches already existed in the
province. We know of two, Athens and Cenchreæ. See Rom. 16:1. 2. Grace be
to you, etc. See note on 1 Cor. 1:3. 4. Who comforteth us in all our
tribulation. He who had tribulation and has learned the comfort of faith in
God is best fitted to comfort others. 5. For as the sufferings of Christ
abound in us. Christ suffers with his saints when they suffer for him. See
Acts 9:4, 5. Hence, when Paul endured affliction for Christ, “the sufferings
of Christ abounded” in him. But Christ comforts those who thus suffer (John
16:2–4). Christ suffers in the person of his servants, but forgets not his
promise to be with them always. 6. And whether we be afflicted. These
words concerning suffering are introductory to an allusion to what he had so
recently suffered at Ephesus (verse 8). His example under affliction would
help them in affliction to endure, and his deliverance would fill them with
hope of a like deliverance.
8–11. We would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our
trouble. I believe, in opposition to many
commentators, that the great trial at Ephesus, caused by Demetrius and his
fellow-craftsmen, is referred to. See Acts, chapter 19. Asia. The
Roman province of Asia, embracing the western part of Asia Minor. Ephesus was
its capital. We despaired even of life. It is evident that the record in
Acts does not give all the dangers that threatened Paul in Ephesus. His
precipitate departure from Ephesus immediately after the riot shows that he was
in danger. See Acts 20:1. He was not the man to exaggerate his danger. The
allusions here, and in 1 Cor. 15:31, 32, show that he met with extreme peril.
9. We had the sentence of death in ourselves. The meaning seems to be
that he felt that the time had come for him to die, and his reprieve from death
was, as it were, a resurrection from death by the providence of God. 10. Who
delivered us out of so great a death. This points to some remarkable peril
and signal deliverance. It is probable that Acts 20:30, 31, hints at it. 11.
Ye also helping, etc. He recognizes the aid he had received from the
prayers of the Corinthian church raised on his behalf. The prayers of many
persons secured the gift of his deliverance. Hence many could
give thanks for his escape.
12–14. For our rejoicing is this. Rather, as in the Revision, “our glorying.” He could
boast that in his conduct everywhere, and at Corinth as well, he had acted with
purity of purpose, integrity, and under the guidance of God. He appeals to his
singleness of purpose, because a charge had been made against him, which he
answers below (verses 15–19). 13. For we write none other things. The
charge seems to have been that he was ambiguous in what he wrote (verse 17).
Hence he insists that he writes plainly, and that they read, understand, and
accept what he writes. 14. As also ye have acknowledged us in part. All
but a faction acknowledged him as an apostle and rejoiced in his labors.
15–24. In this confidence.
Of their acknowledgment of his apostleship and rejoicing in him. I was
minded to come unto you before. Before going to Macedonia, sailing straight
across from Ephesus to Corinth. That you might have a second benefit.
Two visits, one as Paul went to Macedonia, and one on his return. All this is
explained in verse 16. 17. When I therefore was thus minded, did I use
lightness? Some of his detractors at Corinth had urged from his change of
plans that he was fickle, or that he made ambiguous promises, and was ready to
break them. His original plan was probably conveyed in the letter which has not
come down to us (1 Cor. 5:9). In 1 Cor. 16:5, he declared his change of
plans. Do I purpose according to the flesh? In a carnal way. So that
there should be a readiness to turn a yea into a nay; that is, no
fixed purpose to do as promised. 18. Our word … was not yea and nay.
That is, ambiguous and unreliable. 19. For the Son of God, etc. The idea
is that there was no vacillation and uncertainty about Paul’s preaching when he
was in Corinth. In him was yea. There was positive affirmation. 20.
For all the promises of God in him are yea. They are sure and positive. 21.
Now he that stablisheth us with you in Christ. He gives us our stability so
that our gospel is yea, sure and steadfast. And hath anointed us. With
the unction of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20, 27). 22. Sealed us. The
seal was anciently the mark of ownership. In Eph. 1:13 and 4:30, it is said
that the saints are sealed by the Holy Spirit. They are thus marked as
Christ’s. So here the sealing is by the earnest of the Spirit. 23.
Moreover … to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. He delayed coming
in order to give time for his First Epistle to have effect and bring
repentance. Had he come before they repented, his coming must have been in
severity. 24. Not that we have dominion over your faith. Not that he
would exercise a lordship. How different this is from the arrogant style of a
Catholic bishop! Paul wishes rather to be a helper. For by faith ye stand.
Faith in Christ. He hath dominion. Every disciple is accountable to him. Not
even an apostle can come between.
Excerpt from:
The People's New Testament
by Barton
Warren Johnson
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