2 As the Corinthians meet on the first day of the week (Sunday, which became the Christian's day of worship after Jesus' resurrection), Paul admonishes them to receive a collection so that there be no gatherings when he comes their way. "Let everyone of you lay by him (titheto) or determine by him in store (thesaurizo) or keep in savings as God hath prospered him..." The Corinthians were to save something each Lord's Day for the poor saints as God has prospered them. Paul's further advise for giving is found in II Corinthians 8:9 - 9:1. To lay by in store may also mean "lay by at your house, treasuring whatever he has been prospered in" (Gould, p. 144).
3, 4 When Paul comes by the church on the way to Jerusalem he will take a representative from the church and, no doubt, accompany this representative, whomever the church will approve, to Jerusalem. That seems to be Paul's plans, if the Lord is willing. Paul is unsure of his definite plans; however, he wants churches to give and send representatives to Jerusalem to carry the gifts and to become acquainted with the saints at Jerusalem. Gould translates verse 3 thus, "And whenever I come, whomever ye approve, these I will send by letters to bring your gift unto Jerusalem" (p. 144). Paul carried out his mission (Acts 24:17; Romans 15:25 - 27).
5 - 9 On the way to Jerusalem Paul will come to Corinth by the way of Macedonia; he will journey north from Ephesus, to Philippi, down south to Berea and thence to Thessalonica and on to Jerusalem. It may be possible for Paul to abide (parameno) or spend the winter with the Corinthians, and then they can speed him on his way with their blessings and possibly an offering for his traveling expenses. To travel on the Mediterranean Sea during the winter was very hazardous (Acts 27:12). All of Paul's plans are subject to change as the Lord leads and directs. He hopes to tarry (epimeinai) or spend some time with the Corinthians. He wants the Corinthians to know that he will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost before makes his journey. Paul anticipates a great and effectual (energes) or powerful door, or an opportunity to preach the gospel of Christ in Ephesus, to open for him although there are many adversaries (antikeimenoi) or much opposition. This opportunity and his opposition are probably referred to in Acts 19:1 - 20. Yeager says, "Instead of (Paul) saying, 'There are many adversaries; let us get out of town,' he said, 'The door is open and the opposition is great, but the gospel is dynamite. I am going to stay until Pentecost" (Volume XIII, p. 237).
10 - 12 When Timothy comes, Paul expects the Corinthians to show him great respect for he is doing the work of God (Acts 19:22); provide him with the basic necessities of life (food, drink, lodging and money). They are not to despise (exouthenese) or reject him simply because he is a young minister and has much to learn (I Timothy 4:12). Concerning Apollos, Paul greatly desires (prakalesa) or entreats him to come to Corinth when he feels that the time is convenient (eukairese) or on an opportune occasion, Paul says he wants Apollos to minister to them in Corinth as well as Timothy. Robertson seems to think that Apollos had left Corinth in disgust over the strife or divisions in the church which involved him and Paul (I Corinthians 1 - 4) (p. 202). The Corinthians may have asked Paul to send Apollos back to them.
Like a mighty army,
Moves the Church of God...
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
Sabine Baring-Gould
Manliness is required of the Christian. Rhys Jenkins states, "Man was made physically erect that he might look heavenward with ease and pleasure. And man's moral conduct is to resemble his physical frame; it is to be upright. It must not have any twists in it, nor angles of any kind. The eloquent Henry Clay, propounded a political scheme to a friend once. 'It will ruin your prospects for the Presidency,' suggested the friend. 'Is it right?' demanded Clay. 'Yes,' was the answer. Mr Clay continued, 'I would rather be right than President.' Every Christian should do right; his Christian manliness demands it of him. Anything like unprincipled policy or time-serving is utterly out of place in a disciple of Christ's" (B. I. Volume XLIII, p. 573). In everything do it with Christian love (agape). Love must govern all of life (Chapter 13). That will restore every relationship.
15 - 23 Paul commends the household of Stephanas who have addicted (etaxan) or devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints; they had taken their lead in good works. Here is one addiction or devotedness that can be admired in anyone. According to I Corinthians 1:16 the household of Stephanas were among Paul's first converts in Corinth; he immersed the entire household. "Every Corinthian Christian is asked to place himself at Stephanas' disposal, to help him in the work which he has undertaken. Stephanas and those who are helping him in this project are described as...those who are working together and making sacrifices" (Yeager, p. 243). Evidently Stephanas was one of the leaders in the church by now. Paul wants the members to submit (hupotassesthe) or be obedient to and join together (sunergounti) or work together in helping him as they sacrifice (kopionti) or labor to get things done. "Yield to them the precedence which their service renders fit--pay proper deference to the advice and persons" (Gould, p. 146). On the part of the church, Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus have supplied whatever was lacking (hupeteron) or needed. They have arrived in Ephesus to assist Paul, and he was rejoicing (chairo) or glad. Paul has been refreshed (anepausan) or given him ease in spirit and the work at Ephesus has been greatly strengthened by the arrival of these three. When the trio returned to Corinth, Paul wanted the church to recognize (epiginoskete) or acknowledge them for their work for Paul in Ephesus.
"The churches of Asia salute (aspazontai) or send greetings. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church, that is in their house." At that time churches met in the dwelling of some of the saints; Paul had long ago left the synagogue for the school house of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9). All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss (philemati) or the kiss of fellowship." The holy kiss was a token of unity; men kissed men on the checks. Acts 20:4 show a partial list of the brethren who was helping Paul at various times. "The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." Paul probably signed the epistle with his own signature after the amanuenses had written the epistle. "Anathema" means to be accursed, and "Maranatha" means "the Lord will come." "There were some in Corinth who did not love the Lord. Paul's theology is indeed divisive. It separates elect from non-elect, believer from unbelievers, saved from lost, children of God from children of the devil...The curse pronounced upon the unbeliever is potential, not imposed. The curse will be activated when the Lord comes (II Thessalonians 1:7 - 10) (Yeager, p. 248). "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love (agape) be with you all in Christ Jesus, Amen." These were the usual ways of closing correspondence in the days of Paul.
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