σόλων, τετες πεμψω απενεγ κεν την χαριν ὑμων εις Ιε ρεσαλημ. 4 Εαν δε η αξιον τε και με πορευεσθαι, συν εμοί που ρεύσονται. 5 Ελευσομαι δε προς μας όταν Μακεδονίαν διελ θως (Μακεδονίαν γαρ διερ χομαι.) 6 Προς παραμένω, η και παραχειμα μας δε τυχου συ, ἵνα ὑμεις με προπεμ 8 Επιμένω δε εν Εφέσω εως της πεντηκος της. 9 Θυρα γαρ μοι ανέωγε μεγάλη και ενεργης, και αν τικειμενοι πολλοι. apostle, their approbation of their own meffengers, as the apostle was to be prefent at their appointment: and in fupport of his tranflation, he quotes Rom. xiv. 2o. as an example of δια, ufed to fignify with. But fecing the apostle was to take thefe meffengers with him to Jerufalem, they certainly had no need of any letters from him. I therefore think, the letters of which the apoftle fpeaks, were neither to, nor from himfelf, but from the Corinthians to the brethren in Jerufalem, informing them, that the perfons who prefented thefe letters, were appointed by them to attend the apoftle when he delivered the collections at Jerufalem. This meaning will be clearly conveyed, if uς εαν δοκιμασητε δι' επιτόλων, is tranflated, Whomfoever ye hall authorife by letters. Ver. 4. Or, if it be proper that even I fhould go, they, &c. Here the apoftle infinuated his inclination to have the collections committed to his care. However, that the churches, and even the faints in Judea, might be certain that no part of the money which he received was with held, fend to carry your gift to ferufalem, that they may prefent it to the church there in your name. 4 Or if it be thought proper that even I should go to Jerufalem, your meffengers fhall 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 fome 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 Jerufalem. 7 For, having delayed my vifit fo long, when I come, I will not then fee you in paffing: but I hope to have it in my power to remain with you fome time, if the Lord permit. 8 However, being much occupied here at prefent, I propose to remain at Ephefus until Pentecoft. For a great and effectual opportunity of making converts in this city, is granted to me by God. Yet there are many violent oppofers of the gofpel in Ephefus, and its neighbourhood. held, but that the whole was delivered with the greatest fidelity, he propofed to all the churches that meffengers fhould be deputed by them to attend to him, that they might witnefs the delivery of their collections in Jerufalem. Some of thefe meffengers are mentioned, 2 Cor. viii. 23. ix. 4. Ver. 7. If the Lord permit. This manner of speaking concerning their future actions, the apoftles recommended, James iv. 15. and the firft Christians practifed, becaufe it expreffed how deeply they were affected with a fenfe that all events are directed by God. Ver 9. For a great and effectual door is opened to me. The door of a houfe, being the paffage into it, the opening of a door, in the eastern phrafe, fignified the affording a perfon an opportunity of doing a thing. 10 Now if Timotheus come, fee that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I allo do. 11 Let no man therefore.. defpife him but conduct : 1ο Εαν δε έλθη Τιμοθεσ ος, βλεπετε ένα αφοβώς για oς, βλεπετε ἵνα νηται προς ύμας το γαρ εργον Κυρία εργαζεται ὡς και ως εγώ 11 Μη τις εν αυτόν εξε him forth in peace, that he θενηση προπεμψατε δε αυ may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren. 12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly defired 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, ftand faft in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. τον εν ειρήνη, ίνα έλθη προ με εκδεχομαι γαρ αυτόν με τα των αδελφων. T४ 12 Περι δε Απολλω αδελφε, πολλα παρεκάλεσα αυτον ίνα έλθη προς ύμας με τα των αδελφων και παντως εκ ην θέλημα ἵνα νυν ελθῃ· ελεύσεται δε όταν ευκαίρηση. 13 Γρηγορείτε, σήκετε εν τη πίσει, ανδριζεσθε, κρατ ταιεσθε The phrafe occurs in other paflages of fcripture. See Col. iv. 3. note. Hofea ii. 15. The apoftle's long abode at Ephefus, was owing to his great fuccefs in converting the Ephefians, and fuch ftrangers as had occafion to refort to that metropolis. But about the time this letter was written, his fuccefs was greater than common. For many who ufed curious arts, the arts of magic and divination, were converted, and burned their books containing the fecrets of thefe arts, Acts xix. 17. 20. This fo enraged the idolaters at Ephefus, but especially the craftfmen, that they raifed the great tumult, defcribed Acts xix. 23. 41. Ver. 10. That he be among you without fear. At this time, Timothy being young, and extremely attached to the apostle, there was fome reafon 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 fincere part of the church, to defend him from any injury which the faction might attempt to do him, either in his character or his perfon. Ver. 11. I expect him with the brethren; namely, Eraftus, who had been fent with Timothy to Corinth, Acts xix. 22. and Titus, who carried this letter, and another brother whofe name is not mentioned; (See 2 Cor. xii. 17, 18.) perhaps, alfo, fome of the Corinthian breth ren, 10 Now, if Timothy be come whom I fometime ago fent to you, (chap. iv. 17.) take care, by fhewing your affection and obedience, that he be among you without fear. For be worketh even as I do, the work of the Lord faithfully. 11 Being fuch a perfon, let no man defpife him on account of his youth, or of his attachment to me: but fend him forward in fafety, that he may return to me: for I expect him to come with the brethren. 12 (Пɛe de 279.) And with relation to our fellow labourer Apollos, I entreated him earnestly to vifit 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 vifit you at this time. But he will vifit you, when he fhall find a convenient feafon for doing it. 13 Having for enemies falfe teachers, perfecutors, and evil fpirits, watch ye, ftand faft in the faith, quit yourselves like full grown spiritual men: be firong. ren, whom the apoftle had defired Titus to bring with him to Ephesus, having need of their affiftance there. Ver. 12.-1. His inclination was not at all to go now. The Latin commentators are of opinion, that Apollos, difpleafed with the behaviour of the faction, had left them as incorrigible, and had returned to Ephefus, from whence he had been recommended to the brethren of Achaia, As xviii. 24. 27. xix. 1. But the meffengers from Corinth, arriving with a letter to the apoftle full of refpect, he answered it by Titus, and requested Apollos to accompany him, in the hope that he might be useful in affifting Titus to fettle the disturbances in that church. But Apollos refufed to go, knowing the violent temper of the faction. 2. But he will go when he shall find a convenient feafon. Jerome fays, Apollos actually went to Corinth, after the disturbances had ceafed. But whether in this, Jerome delivered his own opinion only, or fome 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 frft fruits of Achaia, and that they have addiled themfelves to the miniftry of the faints,) 16 That ye fubmit yourfelves unto fuch, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. 17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus: 14 Παντα ύμων εν αγάπη γίνεσθω. 15 Παρακαλώ δε ύμας, αδελφοι οίδατε την οικιαν Στεφανα, ότι εςιν απαρχη της Αχαιας, και εις διακονιαν τοις άγιοις εταξαν ἑαυτες 16 Ίνα και ύμεις ὑποτασσήσθε τοις τοιέτοις, και παντι τῳ συνεργὄντι και κα πιώντι 17 Χαιρώ δε επί τη παρ8σια Στεφανα και Φέρτε for that which was lacking TY και Αχαϊκό, ότι το on your part, they have fupplied. ύμων υπερημα έτοι ανεπλη ρωσαν. 18 Ανεπαυσαν εμον πνευμα και το ύμων. επιγινωσκετε εν τάς τοιςτες. 19 Ασπαζονται ὑμας δι εκκλησιας της Ασίας. ασπα ζονται ύμας εν Κυρίῳ πολλα Ακύλας και Πρισκίλλα, συν τη κατ' κλησια. οικον αυτών εκε Ver. 14. Let all Iyour matters be done with love; namely, your differences about worldly affairs, mentioned, chap. vi. your difputes concerning marriage and a single state, chap. vii. your eating things facrificed to idols, chapters viii. x. your eating the Lord's fupper, chap. xi. and your method of exercifing your gifts, chapters xii. xiv. In all thefe, ye ought to have a regard to the good of your neighbours, that ye may not occafion each other to fin. Ver. 17-1. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas. Stephanas is fuppofed by many, to have been the fon of Stephanas, mentioned ver. 15. He, with Fortunatus and Achaicus, I fuppofe, were the meffengers fent by the fincere part of the Corinthian church, with the letter mentioned chap. vii. 1. See the Preface to this Epiftle, fect. 6. |