AUGUST 1, 2021
CONCLUDING WORDS
INTRODUCTION:
1. Paul launched into this Epistle with a clear sense of urgency, wasting no time in addressing some grevious problems, beginning with the matter of divisions (schisms) in the church. These factions no doubt contributed greatly to the many problems which the Apostle went on to deal with in this letter.
2. He addressed such serious matters as immorality, insubordination of women, abuses of Christian liberty, and improprieties involving spiritual gifts. Finally, he dealt at length with dangerous heresies surrounding the fundamental doctrine of the resurrection.
3. In this last chapter, he concludes his letter to the Corinthian church with some important instructions, commendations, expectations, and salutations.
a) Last week we considered his instructions concerning an offering for the needy saints in Judea. They were told to have it ready upon his arrival, so that their chosen carriers might deliver it either with his letters of endorsement, or with his company, should he journey with them.
b) This week, we will consider his commendation of certain of his fellow-laborers who were planning to visit them; some timely exhortations to the church; and finally, greetings and salutations from some of the dear saints who were about him.
I. HE COMMENDS TWO OF HIS RESPECTED AND TRUSTED FELLOW-LABORERS IN THE GOSPEL, TIMOTHY AND APOLLOS. (VRS. 10-12) Of course they were already well acquainted with Apollos (Ch. 1:12; Acts 18:27-19:1) who, for the present, was not inclined to come. Timothy, on the other hand, who they had not met, was Paul’s own son in the faith and ministry, and we might say, his protégé. (Phil. 2:19-22)
A. PAUL RECOMMENDS TIMOTHY TO THEM WITH SOME SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS HOW THEY ARE TO RECEIVE HIM. (VERSES 10, 11)
1. Paul loved and honored Timothy for his work’s sake, of that we have no doubt, but clearly his protective instinct regarding him was that of a father. Timothy was like a son to Paul, a fact that is also apparent in the Pastoral Epistles addressed to him.
2. He bids the Corinthians to see that Timothy should be among them without fear. (Vs. 10) He was sent to them as a Gospel minister, to reprove, rebuke, exhort, correct, and instruct with authority. (II Tim. 3:16-4:2) They were not to despise his youth (I Tim. 4:12), nor were they to disrespect him for any other reason. Paul knew from experience what some at Corinth were capable of, and therefore warns them that Timothy was not to feel threatened.
(I Chron. 16:22; Psa. 105:15)
3. They were to esteem Timothy highly for his work’s sake (I Tim. 5:13), but also for Paul’s sake, who had sent him. They, therefore, were to conduct him forth in peace, that he may return to Paul. He would be returning to Paul with a complete report of how his ministry was received. (Vs. 11) how they received Timothy would partly decide what Paul’s frame would be at his coming. (See Ch. 4:21)
B. PAUL RECOMMENDS APOLLOS TO THEM, THOUGH THE TIME OF HIS COMING WAS AS YET UNCERTAIN. (VERSE 12)
1. This good recommendation was perhaps, in part, to let the Corinthians know that even though one of the factions favored Apollos over himself, there was no spirit of strife or jealousy between them.
2. Far from trying to hinder Apollos going to Corinth in his absence, he was urging him to go. First, Paul was not suspicious of his brother Apollos, fearful that he would somehow try and promote himself, and lessen his own influence in the church. Second, Paul was comfortable in his own skin, as we say. He needed not to be fearful that he would be diminished, for it was in the eyes of his Master that he was seen as worthy or unworthy. Faithful ministers are not envious or jealous of one another, nor do they think evil of their fellow-laborers. (Ch. 13:15)
3. Apollos could not be convinced at the present time to go to Corinth. Paul’s urging was just that. Had he, as an Apostle, prevailed on him, doubtless Apollos would have heeded his direction. But, just as Paul desired that he go in order to show that he counted him a faithful brother and minister, Apollos declined to go for a similar reason. He would not even inadvertently encourage a party spirit in the church, or make himself available to be so used against Paul.
4. After this Epistle shall have had its desired effect, in correcting these matters, as well as Timothy’s ministry, perhaps he will then conclude that a visit would be proper.
5. If we are correct in our assumption as to why Apollos declined to go at this time, the Lord may well have used his principled decision to help bring about a change.
II. HE THEN GAVE SOME FITTING EXHORTATIONS TO WATCHFUL STEDFASTNESS AND CHARITY, AND TO APPRECIATE THOSE WHO LOVED AND MINISTERED TO THEM. (VERSES 13-18)
A. HE EXHORTS THEM TO WATCH, I.E. TO BE WAKEFUL AND ALERT. “Watch ye…”
1. The obvious reason for constant vigilance was that the enemy was ever on the prowl. (I Pet. 5:8)
2. The contents of this Epistle are sufficient to prove that Satan’s emissaries were hard at work at Corinth.
3. There is never a time when the church here below can relax; never a time when the watchmen can come down from the wall. (Ezek. 33:7)
B. HE EXHORTS THEM TO STEDFASTNESS. “Stand fast in the faith.”
1. This was a fitting and timely exhortation, seeing they were infested with false teachers, who handled deceitfully the Word of God. (II Cor. 4:2)
2. Matters of revelation are not to be considered as open questions. For example the doctrine of the resurrection was a clear revelation of God, and therefore to be considered settled. (Psa. 119:89)
3. The Articles of our faith are founded upon God’s Word, and are therefore not up for debate.
C. HE EXHORTS THEM TO GREAT COURAGE AND STRENGTH. “…quit you like men, and be strong.”
1. The saints at Corinth must withstand the contempt of the learned, as well as the persecutions of the powerful. (Eph. 6:10-12)
2. The art of compromise which many churches are adopting requires no courage or strength, but is in fact, a sign of cowardice and weakness.
3. God’s true Church must be “set for the defense of the Gospel,” and ready to “earnestly contend for the faith.” (Jude 3)
D. HE EXHORTS THEM TO LET LOVE PREVAIL IN THEIR HEARTS IN ALL THINGS. (VERSE 14)
1. Both in their family, as well as in their church relationships, they needed to heed the great truth set forth in Ch.13.
2. The preceding parts of the Epistle show how much need there was for this exhortation. As the church was rent with factions, even the Lord’s Supper, the feast of love had become a fountain of bitterness.
E. HE EXHORTS THEM TO LOVE AND APPRECIATE THOSE WHO LOVINGLY SERVED, AND TO RETURN TO THEM IN KIND. (VERSES 15-18)
1. The house of Stephanas was the first family and Achaia to embrace the Gospel. Paul himself had baptized them. (Ch. 1:16)
2. This family’s love for Christ and the church never diminished in the least. Even the many grievous situations at Corinth had not hindered them.
3. They devoted themselves to the service of the saints. “They addicted themselves to the ministering of the saints.”
a) What a wonderful addiction to have!!
b) What a blessed testimony for Christ!!
c) Paul exhorts those who have received of their service to return the same to them, and to all. “..that you submit yourselves unto such, and to everyone…”
4. Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus had visited Paul at Ephesus. (Verse 17)
a) They probably went there to consult with him about the condition of the church at Corinth. They most likely were the bearers of the letter from the Corinthians to Paul, which we have referenced numerous times.(Ch. 7:1)
b) These brethren had made up to the Apostle what the church had failed to do, that is, inform him of the true state of the church.
5. Paul rejoices that the visit of these men had refreshed him, and had had a corresponding effect on them. Whatever in this letter served to refresh them, they owed to these men who came to Paul on their behalf. Therefore he says to them “acknowledge ye them that are such,” i.e. recognize and appreciate them properly.
6. We can be sure that not all of the Corinthians were pleased that their improprieties had been reported to Paul, and not all appreciated his response. However, as becomes evident in the next Epistle, this letter seems to have been received with a proper spirit, for many of their wrongs were corrected. Although there were still those who opposed him, the larger part of the congregation manifested warm affection for him, which filled his heart with gratitude to God.
7. Thank God for Stephanas and others who took the proper action, and were thus greatly used of God for the good of the church.
III. HE CONCLUDES THE EPISTLE WITH GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS ON BEHALF OF HIMSELF AND THOSE WHO WERE WITH HIM. (VERSES 19-24)
A. HE SENDS GREETINGS FIRST FROM THOSE OF ASIA. (VERSES 19, 20)
1. From all of their sister churches of proconsul Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital, where Paul was at the time.
2. From Aquila and Priscilla, Paul’s dear friends who were first to welcome him to Corinth (Acts 18:1f), and who were at this time living at Ephesus. (Acts 18:26)
3. From the company of Christians who were meeting in the home of Aquila and Priscilla.
4. From all the brethren besides, who were with Paul at Ephesus.
B. HE SUBJOINS HIS OWN SALUTATION, ALONG WITH A SOLEMN WARNING AND PRAYERFUL BENEDICTION IN HIS OWN HAND. (VERSES 21-24)
1. Although Paul ordinarily dictated his letter to an amanuesis, it was his token in every Epistle to write the concluding sentences with his own hand, as an authentication of them. (II Thess. 3:17)
2. In this case, his concluding remarks included a solemn warning. (Vs. 22) To love Christ is our whole Christian duty. If any love not Christ, that person is anathema, i.e. accursed. To this he adds Maranatha, which means “the Lord cometh.” The Lord, Whom men refused to love, is coming in His glory. Be warned, therefore!!
(II Thess. 1:6-10)
C. HE CONVEYED, IN HIS OWN HAND, HIS CONCLUDING WORDS OF BENEDICTION AND LOVE. (VERSES 23, 24)
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