‏ 1 Corinthians 16

* A collection for the poor at Jerusalem. (1-9) Timothy and

Apollos commended. (10-12) Exhortation to watchfulness in faith

and love. (13-18) Christian salutations. (19-24)

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, #1Ti

6:17,18|. The diligent hand will not make rich, without the

Divine blessing, #Pr 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, #Jas 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. 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. 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. 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.