prove by yourletters, them Will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 4 And if it be meet that ςόλων, τούτους πεμψω απε- I go also, they shall go με πορευεσθαι, συν εμοι που with me. 5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: (for I do pass through Macedonia.) 6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey, whithersoever I go. 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 until Pentecost. 9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. ρεύσονται. 5 Ελεύσομαι δε προς θα μας, όταν Μακεδονιαν διελ ω (Μακεδονιαν γαρ διερχομαι.) 6 Προς μας δε τυχον παραμένω, η και παραχειμα σω, ἵνα ὑμεις με προπεμε ψητε ὁ εαν πορευωμαι. 7 Ου θελω γαρ ύμας αρτι εν παροδῳ ιδειν ελπίζω δε χρονον τινα επιμεναι προς μας, εαν ὁ Κύριος επιτρέπῃ. 8 Επιμένω δε εν Εφεσω έως της πεντηκοςής 9 Θυρα γαρ μοι ανεωγε μεγαλη και ενεργής, και αν τικείμενοι πολλοι. their approbation of their own messengers, as the apostle was to be present at their appointment: and in support of his translation, he quotes Rom. xiv. 20, as an example of fia, used to signify with. But seeing the apostle was to take these messengers with him to Jerusalem, they certainly had no need of any letters from him. I therefore think, the letters of which the apostle speaks, were neither to, nor from himself, but from the Corinthians to the brethren in Jerusalem, informing them, that the persons who presented these letters, were appointed by them to attend the apostle when he deli. vered the collections at Jerusalem. This meaning will be clearly conveyed, if ους εαν δοκιμασητε δι' επιςόλων, is translated, Whomsoever ye shall authorize by letters. Ver. 4.-1. Or, if it be proper that even I should go, they, &c. Here the apostle insinuated his inclination to have the collections committed to his care. However, that the churches, and even the saints in Judea, might be certain that no part of the money which he received was withheld, but will send to carry your (xapiv, grace,) gift to Jerusalem. 4 (Af, 108.) Or, if it be proper that even I should go,' they shall go with me. 5 (A, 103.) Now I will come to you, when I have passed through Macedonia. (For I do pass through Macedonia.) 6 And, perhaps, I shall abide, and even winter with you, that ye may send me forward, whithersoever I may go. 7 For I will not now see you in passing, but I hope to remain with you some time, if the Lord permit.1 8 However, I shall remain (er, 173.) at Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effectual door is opened to me; (xa, 211.) yet THERE ARE many opposers. will I send to carry your gift to Jerusalem, that they may present it to the church there in your name. 4 Or if it be thought proper that even I should go to Jerusalem, your messengers shall go with me, to witness the delivery of your gift. 5 Now, I will come to you after I have passed through Macedonia: (For I am to pass through Macedonia, in my way, that I may visit the churches there, and receive their collections.) 6 And perhaps I shall continue some time, and even winter with you, that ye may help me forward, by accompanying me a little way in my journey, (See Tit. iii. 13.) by whatever road I may go to Jerusalem. 7 For, having delayed my visit so long, when I come, I will not then see you in passing: but I hope to have it in my power to remain with you some time, if the Lord permit. 8 However, being much occupied here at present, I propose to remain at Ephesus until Pentecost. that the whole was delivered with the greatest fidelity, he proposed to all the churches that messengers should be deputed by them to attend to him, that they might witness the delivery of their collections in Jerusalem. Some of these messengers are mentioned, 2 Cor. viii. 23. ix. 4. Ver. 7.-1. If the Lord permit. This manner of speaking concerning their future actions, the apostles recommended, James iv. 15. and the first Christians practised, because it expressed how deeply they were affected with a sense that all events are directed by God. Ver. 9.-1. For a great and effectual door is opened to me. The door of a house, being the passage into it, the opening of a door, in the eastern phrase, 10 Now if Timotheus 1ο Εαν δε ελθη Τιμόθεος, come, see that he may be βλεπετε να αφόβως γενηται with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Let no man therefore προς ύμας το γαρ εργον Κυριου εργάζεται ὡς και εγω. 11 Μη τις ουν αυτον εξου despise him : but conduct πενησῃ προπέμψατε δε αυτ him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren. 12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time. 13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. τον εν ειρήνῃ, ἵνα ελθῃ προς με εκδεχομαι γαρ αυτον μετα των αδελφων. 12 Περι δε Απολλω του αδελφου, πολλα παρεκαλεσα αυτον, ίνα ελθῃ προς υμας με τα των αδελφων και παντως ουκ ην θελημα, ἵνα νυν ελθῃ ελεύσεται δε όταν ευκαιρηση. 13 Γρηγορείτε, ζήκετε εν τη πιςει, ανδριζεσθε, κρα ταιούσθε } signified the affording a person an opportunity of doing a thing. The phrase occurs in other passages of scripture. See Col. iv. 3. note, Hosea ii. 15. The apostle's long abode at Ephesus, was owing to his great success in converting the Ephesians, and such strangers as had occasion to resort to that metropolis. But about the time this letter was written, his success was greater than common. For many who used curious arts, the arts of magic and divination, were converted, and burned their books containing the secrets of these arts, Acts xix. 17.-20. This so enraged the idolaters at Ephesus, but especially the craftsmen, that they raised the great tumult, described Acts xix. 26.-41. Ver. 10.1. That he be among you without fear. At this time, Timothy being young, and extremely attached to the apostle, there was some reason to fear, that the faction would treat him ill; more especially if he reproved them for their disorderly practices. The apostle therefore recommended it to the sincere part of the church, to defend him from any injury which the faction might attempt to do him, either in his character or his person, Ver. 11.1. I expect him with the brethren ; namely, Erastus, who had been sent with Timothy to Corinth, Acts xix. 22. and Titus, who carried this letter, and another brother whose name is not mentioned ; (See 2 Cor. o Now, if Timothy be come, take care that he be among you without fear; for he worketh, even as I Do, the work of the Lord. 11 Wherefore, let no one despise him; but send him forward in peace, that he may come to me: for I expect him with the brethren. 12 And with relation to OUR brother Apollos, I entreated him much to go to you with the brethren : (x) but His inclination was not at all to go now;1 but he will go,2 when he shall find a convenient season. 13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit yourselves like men: be strong. 10 Now, if Timothy be come whom I sometime ago sent to you, (chap. iv. 17.) take care, by shewing your affection and obedience, that he be among you without fear. For he worketh even as I do, the work of the Lord faithfully. 11 Being such a person, let no man despise him on account of his youth, or of his attachment to me: but send him forward in safety, that he may return to me: for I expect him to come with the brethren. 12 (Пɛpi de 279.) And with relation to our fellow labourer Apollos, I entreated him earnestly to visit you with the brethren, the bearers of this letter, in expectation that his presence might be useful to you. But his inclination was not at all to visit you at this time. But he will visit you, when he shall find a convenient season for doing it. 13 Having for enemies false teachers, persecutors, and evil spirits, watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit yourselves like full grown spiritual men be strong. xii. 17, 18.) perhaps, also, some of the Corinthian brethren, whom the apostle had desired Titus to bring with him to Ephesus, having need of their assistance there. Ver. 12.-1. His inclination was not at all to go now. The Latin commentators are of opinion, that Apollos, displeased with the behaviour of the faction, had left them as incorrigible, and had returned to Ephesus, from whence he had been recommended to the brethren of Achaia, Acts xviii. 24. 27. xix. 1. But the messengers from Corinth, arriving with a letter to the apostle full of respect, he answered it by Titus, and requested Apollos to accompany him, in the hope that he might be useful in assisting Titus to settle the disturbances in that church. But Apollos refused to go, knowing the violent temper of the faction. 2. But he will go when he shall find a convenient season. Jerome says, Apollos actually went to Corinth, after the disturbances had ceased. But whether in this, Jerome delivered his own opinion only, or some ancient tradition, is uncertain. 14 Let all your things be done with charity. 15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. 17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus: for that which was lacking 17 Χαιρω δε επι την παρ ουσια Στεφανα και Φουρτουνατου και Αχαικου, ότι το on your part, they have ὑμων ύςέρημα ὗτοι ανεπλη supplied. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. ρωσαν. 18 Ανεπαυσαν γαρ το εμον πνευμα και το ὑμων. Επιγιν ωσκετε ουν τους τοιούτους. 19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their Ακύλας και Πρισκίλλα, συν τη κατ' οικον αυτων εκκλησια. 19 Ασπάζονται μας αι εκκλησίαι της Ασίας. Ασπαζον ται ύμας εν Κυρίῳ πολλα house. Ver. 14.1. Let all your matters be done with love, namely, your differe ences about worldly affairs, mentioned, chap. vi. your disputes concerning marriage and a single state, chap. vii. your eating things sacrificed to idols, chapters viii. x. your eating the Lord's supper, chap. xi. and your method of exercising your gifts, chapters xii. xiv. In all these, ye ought to have a regard to the good of your neighbours, that ye may not occasion each other to sin. Ver. 17.—1. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas. Stephanas is sup, posed by many, to have been the son of Stephanas, mentioned ver. 15. He," with Fortunatus and Achaicus, I suppose, were the messengers sent by the sincere part of the Corinthian church, with the letter mentioned chap. vii, 1. See the Preface to this Epistle, sect. 6. . |