1Corinthians:16

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Verse 1-9 - The good examples of other Christians and churches should rouse us . It is good to lay up in store for good uses . Those who are rich in this world , should be rich in good works , 1st Timothy strkjv @6:17 ,18 . The diligent hand will not make rich , without the Divine blessing , Proverbs strkjv @10:4 ,22 . And what more proper to stir us up to charity to the people and children of God , than to look at all we have as his gift ? Works of mercy are real fruits of true love to God , and are therefore proper services on his own day . Ministers are doing their proper business , when putting forward , or helping works of charity . The heart of a Christian minister must be towards the people among whom he has laboured long , and with success . All our purposes must be made with submission to the Divine providence , James strkjv @4:15 . Adversaries and opposition do not break the spirits of faithful and successful ministers , but warm their zeal , and inspire them with fresh courage . A faithful minister is more discouraged by the hardness of his hearers ' hearts , and the backslidings of professors , than by the enemies ' attempts . * Verse 10-12 - Timothy came to do the work of the Lord . Therefore to vex his spirit , would be to grieve the Holy Spirit ; to despise him , would be to despise Him that sent him . Those who work the work of the Lord , should be treated with tenderness and respect . Faithful ministers will not be jealous of each other . It becomes the ministers of the gospel to show concern for each other 's reputation and usefulness . * Verse 13-18 - A Christian is always in danger , therefore should ever be on the watch . He should be fixed in the faith of the gospel , and never desert or give it up . By this faith alone he will be able to keep his ground in an hour of temptation . Christians should be careful that charity not only reigns in their hearts , but shines in their lives . There is a great difference between Christian firmness and feverish warmth and transport . The apostle gave particular directions as to some who served the cause of Christ among them . Those who serve the saints , those who desire the honour of the churches , and to remove reproaches from them , are to be thought much of , and loved . They should willingly acknowledge the worth of such , and all who laboured with or helped the apostle . * Verse 19-24 - Christianity by no means destroys civility . Religion should promote a courteous and obliging temper towards all . Those give a false idea of religion , and reproach it , who would take encouragement from it to be sour and morose . And Christian salutations are not mere empty compliments ; but are real expressions of good-will to others , and commend them to the Divine grace and blessing . Every Christian family should be as a Christian church . Wherever two or three are gathered together in the name of Christ , and he is among them , there is a church . Here is a solemn warning . Many who have Christ 's name much in their mouths , have no true love to him in their hearts . None love him in truth , who do not love his laws , and keep his commandments . Many are Christians in name , who do not love Christ Jesus the Lord in sincerity . Such are separated from the people of God , and the favour of God . Those who love not the Lord Jesus Christ , must perish without remedy . Let us not rest in any religious profession where there is not the love of Christ , earnest desires for his salvation , gratitude for his mercies , and obedience to his commandments . The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ has in it all that is good , for time and for eternity . To wish that our friends may have this grace with them , is wishing them the utmost good . And this we should wish all our friends and brethren in Christ . We can wish them nothing greater , and we should wish them nothing less . True Christianity makes us wish those whom we love , the blessings of both worlds ; this is meant in wishing the grace of Christ to be with them . The apostle had dealt plainly with the Corinthians , and told them of their faults with just severity ; but he parts in love , and with a solemn profession of his love to them for Christ 's sake . May our love be with all who are in Christ Jesus . Let us try whether all things appear worthless to us , when compared with Christ and his righteousness . Do we allow ourselves in any known sin , or in the neglect of any known duty ? By such inquiries , faithfully made , we may judge of the state of our souls . Henry ' _2_1 **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary **** _

---