Acts 18:21
21. I must . . . keep this feast—probably Pentecost, presenting a noble opportunity of preaching the Gospel.
but I will return—the fulfilment of which promise is recorded in Ac 19:1. 1 Corinthians 4:19
19. ALFORD translates, "But come I will"; an emphatical negation of their supposition (1Co 4:18).
shortly—after Pentecost (1Co 16:8). if the Lord will—a wise proviso (Jas 4:15). He does not seem to have been able to go as soon as he intended. and will know—take cognizance of. but the power—I care not for their high-sounding "speech," "but" what I desire to know is "their power," whether they be really powerful in the Spirit, or not. The predominant feature of Grecian character, a love for power of discourse, rather than that of godliness, showed itself at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 16:7
7. I will not see you now by the way—literally, "I do not wish to see you this time in passing"; that is, to pay you now what would have to be a merely passing visit as I did in the second visit (2Co 12:14). In contrast to "a while," that is, some time, as the Greek might better be translated.
but—The oldest manuscripts read "for." Hebrews 6:3
3. will we do—So some of the oldest manuscripts read; but others, "Let us do." "This," that is, "Go on unto perfection."
if God permit—For even in the case of good resolutions, we cannot carry them into effect, save through God "working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Php 2:13). The "for" in Heb 6:4 refers to this: I say, if God permit, for there are cases where God does not permit, for example, "it is impossible," &c. Without God's blessing, the cultivation of the ground does not succeed (Heb 6:7). James 4:15
15. Literally, "instead of your saying," &c. This refers to "ye that say" (Jas 4:13).
we shall live—The best manuscripts read, "We shall both live and do," &c. The boasters spoke as if life, action, and the particular kind of action were in their power, whereas all three depend entirely on the will of the Lord.
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