TEXT. 15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints) 16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. 17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus: for that, which was lacking on your part, they have supplied. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore, acknowledge ye them that are such. 19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet you one another with an holy kiss. 21 The salutation of me, Paul, with mine own hand. 22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maranatha. PARAPHRASE. 15 affection, and good-will, one to another *. You know the house of Stephanas, that they were the first converts of Achaia, and have all along made it 16 their business to minister to the saints: To such, I beseech you to submit yourselves: let such as, with 17 us, labour to promote the gospel, be your leaders. I am glad, that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came to me; because they have supplied what was 18 deficient on your side. For, by the account they have given me of you, they have quieted my mind, and yours too: therefore have a regard to such 19 men as these. The churches of Asia salute you, and so do Aquila and Priscilla, with much christian 20 affection; with the church that is in their house. All the brethren here salute you: salute one another 21 with an holy kiss. That, which followeth, is the 22 salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand. If any 14 one be an enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ, and his gospel, let him be accursed, or devoted to destruc-. NOTES. His main design being to put an end to the faction and division which the false apostle had made amongst them, it is no wonder that we find unity and charity so much, and so often pressed, in this and the second epistle. 18 Viz, by removing those suspicions and fears, that were on both sides. TEXT. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. tion. 23 on him *. PARAPHRASE. The Lord cometh to execute vengeance The favour of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ 24 Jesus. Amen. NOTE. 22 This being so different a sentence from any of those, writ with St. Paul's own hand, in any of his other epistles, may it not with probability be understood to mean the false apostle, to whom St. Paul imputes all the disorders in this church, and of whom he speaks, not much less severely? 2 Cor. xi. 13-15. |