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THE KING’S BUSINESS
Paul (cf. ch. 1:12; 3:4 ), and Apollos refuses to be a party to that sort o f thing. On the other hand, Paul in the largeness o f his spirit, urged Apollos to go (v. 12, R. V .). Jerome tells us that Apollos did return to Corinth when these jealousies were abated. The exhortations o f verses 13 and 14 are full o f meaning: (1) “Watch,” i.e., be wakeful rather than sleeping as you are now in a measure : (2) “ Stand fast in the faith,” instead o f shaking in your knees, as for example some are on the doctrine of the resurrection (cf.-ch. 15:12); (3) “ Quit you-like men,” instead o f being effeminate as some in that luxurious and licentious city were : (4) “ Be strong,” instead o f weak in life and effort, as were many among them; (5) “Let all that ye do be done in love” (cf. ch. 8:1-13)) instead of with the strife and self-exaltation and self- seeking that were so characteristic o f the church in Corinth (cf. ch. 3 :3 ; ch. 14; ch. 1 1 : 2 1 ), and it is also characteristic o f the churches in many other places today. , Thursday, January 10 . i Cor. 16 : 15 - 24 . Here we come to the close o f this remarkable book. It contains some o f thé most wonderful chapters in the Bible, for', example, the 13th and 15th. It closes with ^commendations, greetings, exhortations and expressions o f love. Thé house o f Steph anas,, which was the first fruits o f Achaia (i.e., the first converts and a sample of the coming harvest, cf. Rom. 16:5), is first commended. They had “ set themselves to minister unto the saints” (cf. 2 Cor. 8:4), they made serving others the business of their lives, an illustrious example for all Christians who have property, much or lit tle, to follow. The saints in Corinth are urged to be in subj ection to such leaders, and to every one who helped in the work and labored hard. Stephanas and Fortuna- tus and Achaicus (the latter two probably were o f the household o f Stephanas) had carried to Paul the letter from the church in Corinth, and had also brought informa tion as to how things were going on there. They had brought to Paul great refresh ment of spirit by their fellowship. Such
persons should be held in due regard by the church. Aquila and Priscilla had for merly lived in Corinth (cf. Acts 18:2, 18, 19) atid still held the saints there in warm affection. Wherever Aquila and Priscilla went they set up a church in their house (v. 19;' cf. Rom. 16:3-5), a fine example for Christians in all ages, but especially for those who go where there is spiritual desti tution. In those early days Christians loved one another fervently, and all the brethren in Ephesus sent their greetings to the brethren in Corinth. But Paul would have warm affection between the brethren in the local church. Instead o f having - them quarrel over their sectarian preferences (cf. ch. 3:4 ), he would have them “salute one another with a holy kiss.” The letter as a whole had been written by an aman uensis, but Paul added a salutation with his own hand (cf. Col. 4:18; Gal. 6:11). Then follows a solemn warning: neither Paul nor Apollos was to be the object o f their love, but the Lord. I f any man did not love Him, doom was certain. This' warning Paul drives, home by a most solemn state ment, “Maran atha.” This is Syriac for “ Our Lord cometh.” The great thought that impels Christians to love and activity is that the Lord is soon to come, and may come at any moment. Paul’s closing prayer is that all may have the grace o f the Lord Jesus Christ with them. Then he sends them all his love in Christ Jesus. There have been stern words in this epistle, but they all came from a heart fpll o f love. Friday, January 11 . 2 Cor. 1 : 1 , 2 . Paul begins this epistle by emphasizing the fact that he was an Apostle of Christ Jesus. There were those in Corinth who were inclined to dispute it. He further calls attentiqn to the fact that he had not elected himself to this, office, but occupied it “ through the will o f God” (cf. Gal. 1 :11, 12, 15, 16, 20). One may have great con fidence and joy in any position which he v occupies if he only knows he is there “through the will o f God.” Paul couples Timothy’s name with his own in the salu tation in this epistle. He was very desir-
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