1 Corinthians

1611 King James Version (KJV)

 

1 Corinthians
Chapter 16

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1 Now concerning the collection for the Saints, as I haue giuen order to the Churches of Galatia, euen so doe ye.

2 Upon the first day of the weeke, let euery one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

3 And when I come, whomsoeuer you shall approue by your letters, them wil I send to bring your liberality vnto Ierusalem.

4 And if it be meet that I goe also, they shall goe with me.

5 Now I wil come vnto you, when I shall passe through Macedonia: for I doe passe through Macedonia.

6 And it may bee that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that yee may bring me on my iourny, whithersoeuer I goe.

7 For I will not see you now by the way, but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

8 But I will tarry at Ephesus vntill Pentecost.

9 For a great doore and effectuall is opened vnto mee, and there are many aduersaries.

10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without feare: for hee worketh the worke of the Lord, as I also doe.

11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that hee may come vnto me: for I looke for him with the brethren.

12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come vnto you with þe brethren, but his wil was not at all to come at this time: but he wil come when hee shall haue conuenient time.

13 Watch yee, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men: be strong.

14 Let all your things be done with charitie.

15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they haue addicted themselues to the ministery of the Saints,)

16 That ye submit your selues vnto such, and to euery one that helpeth with vs and laboureth.

17 I am glad of the comming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part, they haue supplied.

18 For they haue refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge yee them that are such.

19 The Churches of Asia salute you: Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the Church that is in their house.

20 All the brethren greet you: greet ye one another with an holy kisse.

21 The salutation of me Paul, with mine owne hand.

22 If any man loue not the Lord Iesus Christ, let him bee Anathema Maranatha.

23 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with you.

24 My loue be with you all in Christ Iesus, Amen. The first Epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timotheus.

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Commentary for 1 Corinthians 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)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.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.

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