1 Corinthians 6

1 Corinthians 6:1

Now I go unto Jerusalem, etc. For account of the undertaking of this journey. Also Acts 20:3. He is going to Jerusalem to minister to the poor saints (Acts 24:17).

1 Corinthians 6:2

For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia, etc. Concerning the contribution, see 1 Corinthians 16:1 2 Corinthians 8:1 9:2. Certain contribution. The Greek word, “koinonia”, is the same rendered “fellowship” in Acts 2:42.

1 Corinthians 6:3

Their debtors they are. It pleased these Gentile Christians to help those at Jerusalem, and, besides, they were under obligation to them, for the church at Jerusalem was the center from which the gospel had been spread abroad. Why the need of this contribution for the church at Jerusalem? This is often asked. (1) Because it was mainly composed in the start of the poor. (2) Because it had undergone persecution, and this always impoverishes, not only because members are spoiled of their goods, but because they are driven from their employments. Hence, this church, at the center of conflict, and with a great number of poor, had need of the aid of the saints elsewhere, where they were more favored with the worldly blessings.

1 Corinthians 6:4

When therefore I have performed this. As soon as he has discharged this office, it is his purpose to start to Spain, and to take Rome in on the way. Sealed to them this fruit. Made this contribution safe to them. What is sealed is made secure.

1 Corinthians 6:5

I am sure that, when I come unto you. He assures them that his coming will be full of blessing to them in Christ. Godet says, with force: ``Would a forger of this epistle, in the second century, have drawn a picture of the future so opposite to the way in which things really came to pass?’’ These allusions to his future movements are positive proof that this was written before Paul was a prisoner.

1 Corinthians 6:6

Now I beseech you, etc. This urgent request of the apostle for his brethren’s prayers, shows a strong confidence in their faith and devotion. Compare Romans 15:29.

1 Corinthians 6:7

That I may be delivered. Paul knew too well the bitter hostility of the Jews to him, and that his visit to Jerusalem would be beset with dangers. He goes there with some forebodings. See Acts 20:22 21:13. And that my service . . . may be acceptable to the saints. The Jewish brethren looked with great prejudice on Paul’s work among the Gentiles, and that various rumors were circulated among them. See Acts 21:21.

1 Corinthians 6:8

That I may come, etc. Three things he desires through their prayers: (1) That he may be delivered from his Jewish enemies; (2) be cordially received by his Jewish brethren (Romans 15:31); (3) “come unto them with joy by the will of God”. He did come to Rome, submissive to the will of God (Acts 23:11), but not “in joy” (Acts 28:16,20), though no doubt God was with him and “refreshed” him.

1 Corinthians 6:9

Now the God of peace [be] with you all. Amen. Asking their prayers, it was but natural that he should ask God to bless them. Compare other benedictions, in 2 Corinthians 13:11 Philippians 4:9 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

1 Corinthians 6:11

Personal Salutations SUMMARY OF ROMANS 16: The Bearer of the Letter Commended. The Church Asked to Give Her Aid in the Work That Calls Her to. Rome. Greetings for Old Friends and Fellow-Laborers. A Household Church. Warned Against Divisions. Farewell Benediction. I commend unto you Phebe, our sister. Evidently the bearer of the letter, a sister in Christ. In this list of persons greeted, a number are women, and the greetings show how highly Paul esteemed woman’s work in the church. A servant. The word is “diakonia” (“deacon”) in the Greek. The word also means “servant”, as rendered, but we know that there were deaconesses in the church of the first century, and Paul, in giving her a recommendation, no doubt mentions her office. To say that she was a servant of the church, would convey no special distinction. In the East, where women were so much secluded, deaconesses would be a necessity. Paul evidently refers to them (1 Timothy 5:9,10). Ignatius, a companion of the apostles, mentions them in one of his epistles, and Pliny does also, in his famous letter to Trajan, early in the second century. Which is at Cenchrea. Paul wrote this letter at Corinth; Cenchrea was its seaport, on the Aegean Sea, about nine miles from the city. A small town with the old name still marks its site.

1 Corinthians 6:12

That ye receive her in the Lord. Give her a Christian welcome. And that ye assist her. The term used in the Greek, “paristemi”, is a legal one; hence it is supposed that some kind of legal business called her to Rome. She hath been a succorer of many. This would result from her office as a deaconess. Among those ministered to was the apostle himself.

1 Corinthians 6:13

Greet Priscilla and Aquila. These active fellow-workers had first aided Paul at Corinth (Acts 18:2); then they went to Ephesus, and prepared the way for his work there (Acts 18:26); they had now returned to Rome, their former home. Some have argued that this greeting could not have been sent to Rome, from the fact that Paul had left them at Ephesus. It was the natural thing for them to go back home, when they could safely do so, and Godet says that from two or three years had passed since Paul left them at Ephesus, which gives ample time for a change of residence. The fact that the name of the wife comes first here, and in Acts 18:2, seems to imply that she was the more efficient. They are also named in 1 Corinthians 16:19 2 Timothy 4:19.

1 Corinthians 6:14

Who have for my life laid down their own necks. It is evident that at some time they had endured great peril for Paul’s sake. That only a small part of his perils have been recorded, we know from 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. But also all the churches of the Gentiles. Are under a debt of gratitude to Priscilla and Aquila.

1 Corinthians 6:15

Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house. As the early Christians had no houses of worship, they met in the homes of prominent brethren. In the large cities there would be several such groups. One of these in Rome met in the house of Priscilla and Aquila. Epaenetus. He is not mentioned elsewhere. Who is the firstfruits of Achaia. “Asia”, as in the Revised Version, is the true reading. The family of Stephanas were the first converts of Achaia (1 Corinthians 16:15).

1 Corinthians 6:16

Greet Mary. A large number of those named were personal acquaintances of Paul; some had rendered him special service; many were, no doubt, his own converts. Of most of them we know nothing, save that he places them in this honorable roll.

1 Corinthians 6:17

Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen. Countrymen. My fellowprisoners. When confined with Paul, we do not know. Of note among the apostles. Well and favorably known to the apostles.

1 Corinthians 6:20

Salute them who are of Aristobulus’ [household]. Aristobulus was either dead, or not a believer. The household is, perhaps, his slaves. Great Romans had hundreds of slaves, usually white, many of them cultured. Thousands of the early Christians were gathered from these.