1 Corinthians 5

1 Corinthians 5:1

Esaias saith. The quotation that follows is from Isaiah 11:10, a chapter which is throughout a prediction of Christ and his kingdom. A root of Jesse. Jesse, the father of David, was an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:6 Lu 3:32). In him shall the Gentiles trust. The passage quoted shows very clearly that Christ was to be the Savior of the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 5:2

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace. Paul has quoted from Isaiah, “In him shall the Gentiles trust” (Romans 15:12), and follows it by a prayer that the God who has given them the blessed hope may fill them with joy and peace, so that they may abound in hope. The hope we have in Christ is the source of a great part of our joy.

1 Corinthians 5:3

Filled with all knowledge. Compare 1 Corinthians 8:1 7:10,11. It is evident that the knowledge of spiritual truth, professed by the strong in faith, is meant. Able to admonish one another. Therefore having less need of the admonition of the apostle.

1 Corinthians 5:4

Nevertheless, brethren. Though they were able to admonish each other, he has written to them boldly and plainly, as was his right, because of the grace, the apostleship to the Gentiles, given him of God.

1 Corinthians 5:5

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. This is the grace just referred to. Ministering. The Greek reads, “Ministering in sacrifice”. The figure is that of Paul, as a priest, bringing the converted Gentiles as offerings, which are placed upon the altar of God and dedicated to his service. This offering, the Gentiles, is made acceptable through the gospel, they being sanctified, set apart, by the Holy Spirit. See Romans 8:1,2.

1 Corinthians 5:6

I have therefore whereof I may glory. Because of his wonderfully successful ministry among the Gentiles. Yet he glories not in himself, but only “through Jesus Christ”. See 1 Corinthians 15:31. In those things which pertain to God. In his ministry as an apostle of Christ.

1 Corinthians 5:7

I will not dare to speak, etc. The meaning is: “I will not dare to speak of the signs of grace and the work of others, but only of the mighty works of God hath wrought through me to make the Gentiles obedient”.

1 Corinthians 5:8

Through mighty signs and wonders. This describes what extraordinary help had been given–the power to work miracles and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. So that from Jerusalem, and around about unto Illyricum. Jerusalem was near the southeast corner of the Mediterranean; Illyricum lay north of Greece, on the Adriatic, so that his gospel labors had embraced a circuit clear around the east and northeast shores of the sea.

1 Corinthians 5:9

Yea, so have I strived to preach. He declares the fixed policy of his ministry not to preach where Christ had been heard, but in new fields. Where other apostles or evangelists had laid a foundation, he did not seek to build. Compare 2 Corinthians 10:12-16. As no apostle or great evangelist had yet visited Rome, his letter to the Romans was no violation of his principle.

1 Corinthians 5:10

But as it is written. In Isaiah 52:15. To whom he was not spoken of, etc. The passage declares that God’s name shall be carried where it was unknown; hence, Paul’s course was in harmony with the will of God.

1 Corinthians 5:11

For which cause also I have been much hindered. The greatest hindrance to his coming to Rome hitherto was the duty of preaching in places where Christ was unknown.

1 Corinthians 5:12

But now having no more place in these parts. Everywhere around the eastern Mediterranean the name of Christ had been preached, so that churches were formed in all the chief cities. Hence, Paul wished to seek new fields. Having a great desire these many years to come unto you. See Romans 1:11 Acts 19:21.

1 Corinthians 5:13

Whensoever I take my journey into Spain. It was his purpose to go to Spain as a new field. The New Testament does not record that he ever carried out this purpose, though it is the testimony of the early church that he did. To see you in my journey. He only intended to stop for a season, in passing through, for the reason that there was already a church there. God willed that it should be otherwise.