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TEXT.

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2 Upon the first day of the week, let every 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, whomsoever you shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

PARAPHRASE.

1 As to the collection for the converts to christianity, who are at Jerusalem, I would have you do, as I 2 have directed the churches of Galatia. Let every one of you, according as he thrives in his calling, lay aside some part of his gain by itself, which, the first day of the week, let him put into the common treasury * of the church, that there may be no need of 3 any gathering, when I come. And when I come, those, whom you shall approve of †, will I send with letters to Jerusalem, to carry thither your benevo4 lence. Which if it deserves, that I also should go, they shall go along with me.

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NOTES.

2 * Onσaupilar seems used here in the sense I have given it. For it is certain that the apostle directs, that they should, every Lord's day, bring to the congregation what their charity had laid aside, the foregoing week, as their gain came in, that there it might be put into some public box, appointed for that purpose, or officers' hands. For, if they only laid it aside at home, there would nevertheless be need of a collection, when he came.

3 + Δοκιμάσητε, δι ̓ ἐπιςολῶν τέτες πέμψω. This pointing, that makes δι ἐπιςολῶν, belong to πέμψω, and not δοκιμάσητε, the apostles sense justifies ; he telling them here, that finding their collection ready, when he came, he would write by those, they should think fit to send it by, or go himself with them, if their present were worthy of it. There needed no approbation of their messengers to him, by their letters, when he was present. And if the corinthians, by their letters, approved of them to the saints at Jerusalem, how could St. Paul say, he would send them?

SECT. XII.

CHAP. XVI, 5-12.

CONTENTS.

He gives them an account of his own, Timothy's, and Apollos's intention of coming to them.

TEXT.

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 awhile 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.

10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

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11 Let no man, therefore, despise him; but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

PARAPHRASE.

5 I will come unto you, when I have been in Mace6 donia; for I intend to take that in my way: And

perhaps I shall make some stay, nay, winter with you, that you may bring me going on my way, 7 whithersoever I go. For I do not intend just to call in upon you, as I pass by; but I hope to spend 8 some time with you, if the Lord permit. But I shall stay at Ephesus till Pentecost, i. e. Whitsuntide. 9 For now I have a very fair and promising opportunity given me of propagating the gospel, though 10 there be many opposers. If Timothy come to you, pray take care, that he be easy, and without fear amongst you: for he promotes the work of the 11 Lord, in preaching the gospel, even as I do. Let no-body, therefore, despise him; but treat him kindly, and bring him going, that he may come unto me: for I expect him with the brethren.

TEXT.

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.

PARAPHRASE.

12 As to brother* Apollos, I have earnestly endeavoured to prevail with him to come to you with the brethren + but he has no mind to it at all, at present. He will come, however, when there shall be a fit occasion.

NOTES.

12 * There be few, perhaps, who need to be told it; yet it may be convenient here, once for all, to remark, that, in the apostle's time, " brother the ordinary compellation that christians used to one another.

was

"The brethren," here mentioned, seem to be Stephanas, and those others, who, with him, came with a message, or letter, to St. Paul, from the church of Corinth, by whom he returned this epistle in answer.

SECT. XIII.
XIII

CHAP. XVI. 13.-24.

CONTENTS.

THE Conclusion, wherein St. Paul, according to his custom, leaves with them some, which he thinks most necessary, exhortations, and sends particular greetings.

TEXT.

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

14 Let all your things be done with charity.

PARAPHRASE.

13 Be upon your guard, stand firm in the faith, behave yourselves like men, with courage and resolution : 14 And whatever is done amongst you, either in public assemblies, or elsewhere, let it all be done with

TEXT.

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 on your part, they have supplied.

18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore, acknowledge ye 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 you one another with an holy kiss.

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

22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maranatha.

PARAPHRASE.

15 affection, and good-will, one to another*. You know the house of Stephanas, that they were the first converts of Achaia, and have all along made it 16 their business to minister to the saints: To such, I

beseech you to submit yourselves: let such as, with 17 us, labour to promote the gospel, be your leaders. I am glad, that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came to me; because they have supplied what was 18 deficient on your side. For, by the account they have given me of you, they have quieted my mind, and yours toot: therefore have a regard to such 19 men as these. The churches of Asia salute you,

and so do Aquila and Priscilla, with much christian 20 affection; with the church that is in their house. All

the brethren here salute you: salute one another 21 with an holy kiss. That, which followeth, is the 22 salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand. If any

14

one be an enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ, and his gospel, let him be accursed, or devoted to destruc

NOTES.

His main design being to put an end to the faction and division which the false apostle had made amongst them, it is no wonder that we find unity and charity so much, and so often pressed, in this and the second epistle.

18 ↑ Viz, by removing those suspicions and fears, that were on both sides.

TEXT.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

tion. 23 on him *.

PARAPHRASE.

The Lord cometh to execute vengeance The favour of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ 24 Jesus. Amen.

NOTE.

22 This being so different a sentence from any of those, writ with St. Paul's own hand, in any of his other epistles, may it not with probability be understood to mean the false apostle, to whom St. Paul imputes all the disorders in this church, and of whom he speaks, not much less severely? 2 Cor. xi. 13-15.

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