1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16:2

UPon the first day of the week] Gr. one of the Sabbaths Gr. Tec. one of the week. In the Originall one day, an Hebraisme; see the like expression, Genesis 1:5. Daniel 9:1. Matthew 28:1. Luke 24:1. one day of the Sabbaths: Whereby oftentimes the whole week is signified, as Mar. 16. 9.

John 20:1. Therefore the Greek Scholiast well rendreth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Lords Day, on which the Apostles were wont to keep their Assemblies, John 20:19. Acts 20:7. which Saint John, Revelation 1:10. calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Lords Day, because it was the day on which he rose from the dead; and it was by the Church peculiarly dedicated to his honour. Or it is so called, as the Sacrament is called coena Dominica, and the Lords Prayer oratio Dominica, because the Lord instituted the one, and commanded the other; When ye pray, say, Our Father, &c. Luke 11:2. For so Athanasius saith expresly, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, our Lord translated the Sabbath to the Lords Day; whether he did this immediately by himself, or by his Apostles inspired by him, all comes to one.

See Hilar. Prolog. in Psal. Nos octava dic quae E. ipsa prima est, perfecti Sabbati festivitate laetamur.

by him in store] In the Originall, gathering a treasure. That is by little and little, every Lords Day adding something to make up a gift worthy the sending: or it may be the Apostle in the use of that phrase would imply that by this collection for the poor, they shall gather treasure in heaven, Matthew 6:20.

as God hath prospered him] The Originall is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifieth properly a happy journey or voyage, and by a figure is taken for any kind of prosperitie or welfare; and the Apostles meaning is, that every one ought to lay by and contribute according as the Lord hath blessed him, 2 Corinthians 8:12.

be no gatherings when I come] Which will not be so convenient on the sudden, nor so beneficiall for the poor.

1 Corinthians 16:3

your liberalitie unto Jerusalem] Gr. gift. In the Originall it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, your grace, or free gift, which word he useth rather then 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, your almes, because this was a kind of holy offering to the Saints, and not a work of ordinary charitie towards the poore: and hereby also he signifieth that this their pious and bountifull inclination to contribute to the Saints, was an effect of Gods grace in the Corinthians, as is expresly affirmed, 2 Cor. 8. 1, 2. We do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed upon the Churches of Macedonia, because in great triall of affliction their joy abounded, and their extreame povertie abounded to their rich liberalitie.

1 Corinthians 16:7

by my way] Gr. in my passage.

but I trust to tarry] Gr. Tec. for I hope to tarry.

1 Corinthians 16:9

For a great doore and effectuall is opened unto me] A great occasion or opportunitie of doing much good in my ministerie. For Ephesus was a Citie very much frequented as well in regard of the famous Temple of Diana there, as also diverse Schooles and Nurceries of Learning: or the Apostle may intimate that some great advantage was given to the Gospel by the conversion of some men or women of prime note in that Citie.

and there are many adversaries] Where there is the greatest opportunitie offered of doing good, there the devill and his instruments are busiest to stop and hinder it. For, as Saint Chrysostome well observeth, he bestirreth himself most where he is like to lose most; and no marvell that the Gospel findeth many enemies, sith Truth is a stranger upon earth; and Christ is set for the fall and rise of many, and for a sign which shall be spoken against, Luke 2:34.

1 Corinthians 16:15

I beseech you brethren] Gr. but or, now I beseech you brethren.

addicted themselves to] Or, appointed themselves for.

1 Corinthians 16:16

That ye submit your selves unto such] Or, be subject unto. That you honour and reverence them and be obedient unto them, and be content to be led by them as being my fellow-labourers, and such as have bestowed themselves and their goods to help you withall. Hebrews 13:17.

1 Corinthians 16:18

acknowledge ye them that are such] That is, take them for such men as they are indeed; or shew your selves thankfull unto them both in my behalf and your own.

1 Corinthians 16:20

Greet ye one another] See Romans 16:16.

with an holy kisse] Not with an hypocriticall kisse as Judas, nor out of a carnall affection, as Proverbs 7:13. but expresse your unfained love unto them as they are called to be Saints and fellow-members of one holy mystically body whereof Christs is the head. See Rom. 16 16.

1 Corinthians 16:22

love not] That is, out of meere malice, and desperate hatred opposeth Christ and his Gospel. It is delivered by a Meiosis, or figurative speech whereby lesse is spoken, and more implied, being a crime of that horrid nature as the Apostle was loath to expresse it. 1 Kings 21:10.

anathema, Maran-atha] The former word is Greek, signifying accursed, Romans 9:3. Galatians 1:8. the latter is a Syriack word, signifying our Lord cometh. For Maran is our Lord, and atha cometh. It is a word used in the greatest excommunication among the Christians, implying that they summoned the excommunicated before the dreadfull Tribunall at the last coming of the Sonne of God. See Jude 1:14-15. Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints, to execute judgement upon all, &c.

Others expound it thus: Let him be accursed even till the coming of the Lord to his deaths day, even for ever. This dreadfull kind of excommunication which the Apostle here calleth Maran-atha, the Jewes called Sammatha, Sen signifying the name of God Tetragrammaton, or Jehovah, and atha venit, he cometh. Others, from Sam signifying there, and mitha mors, their death. Now the Apostle thundereth out this dreadfull sentence of excommunication here against the wilfull opposers of the Gospel and impenitent haters of Christ, not out of any evill passion of mind, but out of an Apostolicall spirit and holy zeale.