Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Corinthians 16:3
And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
3. whomsoever you shall approve by your letters ] The word your is not in the original. The passage may be translated in two ways; (1) as in the text, which follows Tyndale and the Vulgate, and supposes that St Paul would, immediately on his arrival at Corinth, send to Jerusalem those who had been previously nominated by the Corinthian Church, or (2), with Wiclif ( I schal sende hem bi epistlis) and Chrysostom, taking ‘by letters,’ with ‘I will send,’ and referring the words to the letters of commendation (Act 18:27; Rom 16:1; 2Co 3:1) St Paul intended to give to the bearers of the Corinthian relief fund. It is worthy of notice, (1) that while on matters of grave import St Paul gives authoritative directions to his converts, on matters of lesser consequence he prefers that they should govern themselves, and (2) that as Chrysostom remarks, St Paul is especially anxious not to take charge of the money himself, lest he should be charged with having devoted any of it to his own use. See ch. 1Co 9:18-19; 2Co 11:7-9; 2Co 12:16-18.
liberality ] Literally, grace. “He studiously refrains from using the word alms.” Estius.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters – There has been great variety of opinion in regard to the proper construction of this verse. Macknight supposes that the letters here referred to were not letters either to or from the apostle, but letters signed and sent by the congregation at Corinth, designating their appointment and their authority. With this interpretation Doddridge coincides; and this is required by the usual pointing of the Greektext, where the comma is inserted after the word letters, as in our translation. But a different interpretation has been proposed by inserting the comma after the word approve, so that it shall read, Whom you approve, or designate, them I will send with letters to convey your charity to Jerusalem. This is followed by Griesbach, Locke, Rosenmuller, Bloomfield, Beza, Hammond, Grotius, Whitby, etc. Certainly this accords better with the design of the passage. For it is evident (see 1Co 16:4) that, though Paul was willing to go, yet he was not expecting to go. If he did not go, what was more natural than that he should offer to give them letters of commendation to his brethren in Judea? Mill has doubted whether this construction is in accordance with Greek usage, but the names above cited are sufficient authority on that subject. The proper construction, therefore, is, that Paul would give them letters to his friends in Jerusalem, and certify their appointment to dispense the charity, and commend the persons sent to the favor and hospitality of the church there. Your liberality. Margin, Gift. Your donation; your alms. The Greek word charin, usually signifies grace, or favor. Here it means an act of grace or favor; kindness; a favor conferred; benefaction: compare 2Co 8:4, 2Co 8:6-7, 2Co 8:19.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. Whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters] Why should Paul require letters of approbation in behalf of certain persons, when he himself should be among them, and could have their characters viva voce? It is probable that he refers here to letters of recommendation which they had sent to him while he was away; and he now promises that when he should come to Corinth, he would appoint these persons, whom they had recommended, to carry the alms to Jerusalem. If , be read ye shall have approved, as Bishop Pearce does, the difficulty will vanish.
Some MSS. and several versions join , by letters, to the following words, and read the verse thus: When I come, those whom ye shall approve I will send with letters to bring your liberality to Jerusalem. This seems most natural.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The word here translated liberality, is the same which signifieth grace; their charity is called by that name, either because it flowed from their free love towards their poor brethren, (though living at a great distance from them), or because their sense of the free love and grace of God to them, was that which moved them to that charitable act, 2Co 8:9.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. approve by your lettersrathertranslate, “Whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send withletters”: namely, letters to several persons at Jerusalem, whichwould be their credentials. There could be no need of letters fromthem before Paul’s coming, if the persons recommended were notto be sent off before it. Literally, “by letters”; anabbreviated expression for “I will send, recommending them byletters” [GROTIUS].If English Version be retained, the sense will be, “WhenI come, I will send those whom by your letters, then to be giventhem, ye shall approve.” But the antithesis (opposition orcontrast) to Paul himself (1Co16:4) favors GROTIUS’view. So “by” means with (Ro2:27); and the Greek for “by” is translated,with (2Co 2:4).
liberalityliterally,gracious or free gift (2Co8:4).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when I come,…. To Corinth, as he intended very quickly:
whomsoever you shall approve by your letters; that is, such persons as this church should approve, and choose, and fix upon as proper persons to go with their collection; which approbation and choice they would signify by letters to the church, and principal men of it in Jerusalem, giving them a character as men of probity and faithfulness:
them will I send. The Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions join the phrase, “by letters”, to this clause; according to which reading the sense is, such as the church should choose for this service, the apostle would send with letters of commendation from him, to the elders and church at Jerusalem, recommending them as brethren in the Lord, and to be had in respect, and treated in a Christian manner by them; to which their being messengers from such a church, and having letters from so great an apostle; besides, the business they should come about would entitle them to, which was
to bring your liberality, or “grace”,
unto Jerusalem; meaning the money collected for the poor saints there; which he calls grace, because it was owing to the goodness of God, that they were in a capacity to contribute to others, and to the grace of God that they had a heart to do it; and because it was in a free and gracious manner, and in the exercise of grace, of faith in Christ, and love to the saints, that they did it, and with a view to the glory of the grace of God, of which this was a fruit and evidence.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When I arrive ( ). Whenever I arrive, indefinite temporal conjunction and second aorist middle subjunctive.
Whomsoever ye shall approve by letters ( ‘ ). Indefinite relative with and aorist subjunctive of (to test and so approve as in Php 1:10). “By letters” to make it formal and regular and Paul would approve their choice of messengers to go with him to Jerusalem (2Co 8:20ff.). Curiously enough no names from Corinth occur in the list in Ac 20:4.
To carry (). Second aorist active infinitive of , to bear away.
Bounty (). Gift, grace, as in 2Co 8:4-7. As a matter of fact, the messengers of the churches ( 2Co 8:23) went along with Paul to Jerusalem (Ac 20:4f.).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Approve by your letters. So A. V. and Rev. Others, however, connect by letters with will I send, making the letters to be Paul ‘s introduction to the church at Jerusalem. The latter is preferable. The givers are to choose the bearers of the collection; Paul, as the originator and apostolic steward of the collection, will send the money.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And when I come,” (hotan de paragenomai) And when I arrive, (of my own accord).” The language structure indicates that Paul’s time schedule was a matter of his own stewardship of judgment not directly fixed by Divine fiat.
2) “Whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, (ous ean dokimasete di epistolon) “Whoever you all approve or certify by means of letters.” The Corinth church’s absolute independency or autonomy is here recognized by Paul. He indicates that the church had both the independent right and obligation to choose their own servants or messengers to carry their gift to the Jerusalem saints; in such international travel they were to have certified credentials from the Corinth church.
3) “Them will I send.” (toutous pempso) “These will I send — assist on their way.” Paul offered to “send” in the sense of “assist” Corinth church members in their securing international transit legally to deliver money and goods to brethren in need in Judea. Letters of certification for such work were necessary and still are, 2Co 3:1; Act 15:20; Act 15:23-31; Act 20:1-4.
4) “To bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” (apenegkein ten charin humon eis ierousalem) To bear your grace-gift unto Jerusalem.” The liberality or grace-gift of the Corinth brethren, to be delivered to Jerusalem by brethren of the Corinth church duly elected and certified or deputized, also had the assurance of Paul that he would be willing, if possible, to accompany and vouch for them in Jerusalem, where he was known.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
3. And when I come As we are cheerful in giving, when we know for certain, that what we give is well laid out, he points out to the Corinthians a method, by which they may be assured of a good and faithful administration — by selecting approved persons, to whom they may intrust the matter. Nay more, he offers his own services, if desired, which is an evidence that he has the matter at heart.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(3) Whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters.Better, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send by letters to bring your gifts to Jerusalem. The Apostle had not made up his mind finally whether he would take the gift himself or send it by messengers, whom he would accredit with letters, to the Church at Jerusalem. He would probably be influenced by the amount collected, and by the urgency, or otherwise, of the needs of those at Jerusalem at the time. The Apostle was, in one sense, the humblest of men; but he valued highly the dignity of his apostolic office, and if but a very small sum were ready for the Church at Jerusalem, he would have felt it to be beneath the dignity of his office, though not of himself, to be the bearer of such an offering. The course finally adopted was that the Apostle went himself, and the selected brethren with him (Act. 21:15).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. By your letters The italic your is supplied by the translators, and, probably, incorrectly; for while the selection of the delegates was to be made by the Churches, the letters authenticating them to the Jerusalem Church were to be by Paul. Bloomfield says, this is the construction given by “all the ancient translators and commentators,” and by, perhaps, the best modern ones. The selection was properly to be made by the Churches, and Paul, with due delicacy, proposes this in advance as a guarantee against any selfishness on his own part. The names of the persons who really went are given in Act 20:4. Paul also went with them, as suggested in next verse. From these epistles commentators correctly infer that letter-writing was frequent, and that it is not at all probable that every letter of St. Paul is in the New Testament. He may have written a letter a week.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Co 16:3. And when I come, &c. When I come, whomsoever you shall approve, them will I send with letters, to carry your liberality, &c. Locke. The Apostle’s sense justifies the present manner of reading; he telling them here that, finding their collection ready when he came, he would write by those whom they should think fit to employ in sending it, or go himself with them, if it should be thought conve
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
1Co 16:3 . .] whomsoever you shall consider fit . Paul thus makes the appointment of the persons who were to bring the money dependent upon the choice of his readers ; hence Grotius observes: “Vide, quomodo vir tantus nullam suspicioni rimam aperire voluerit.” It is possible, however, that he had never thought of that; for it was quite natural for him, with his fine practical tact, not to anticipate the givers as respects the transmission of their gift.
] by means of letters , by my giving them letters along with them to express their mission. Comp. Winer, p. 356 [E. T. 476]. The plural might denote the category (by way of letter), and thus only one letter be meant (Heumann); but there is nothing to compel us to depart from the plural sense, for Paul very reasonably might design to write different letters to several persons at Jerusalem. [104] . is to be connected with what follows (Chrysostom, Theophylact, and the majority of modern expositors), and it is put first , because Paul has already in his mind the other possible alternative, that he himself may make the journey. The majority of the older editors (except Er. Schmid), also Beza, Calvin, Estius, al. , connect it with .: “quos Hierosolymitanis per epistolas commendaveritis,” Wetstein. But in that case the would surely be somewhat meaningless! No; the bearers of the collection are to be chosen by the givers ; but it is Paul, as the originator and apostolically commissioned steward (Gal 2:10 ) of the collection, who sends the mone.
.] your love gift, beneficium . Comp. 2Co 8:4 ; 2Co 8:6-7 ; 2Co 8:19 . “Gratiosa appellatio,” Bengel; comp. Oecumenius; Xen. Ag . iv. 4 f., Hier . viii. 4; Sir 3:29 ; Sir 30:6 ; Sir 29:15 ; 4Ma 5:8 .
[104] We see, too, from this passage how common it was for the apostle, in the course of his work, to indite letters even to individuals. Who knows how many of such writings of his have been lost! The only letter of the kind which we still have (setting aside the pastoral Epistles), that to Philemon, owes its preservation perhaps solely to the circumstance that it was addressed at the same time to the church in the house (Phm 1:2 ).
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
Ver. 3. Your liberality ] Gr. your grace; that which having received of God’s free grace you do as freely part with to his poor people.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
3 .] “Vide quomodo vir tantus nullam suspicioni rimam aperire voluerit.” Grot.
cannot belong to (as Beza, Calv., Wetst., E. V., for what need of letters from them , or before his coming, if the person recommended were not to be sent off before his arrival ?), but is emphatically prefixed, as the safe and proper way of giving credentials to those sent ; , the alternative which follows, of himself accompanying them, being already in the mind of the Apostle.
, plur., not of the category merely, meaning one letter , but meaning, either that each should have his letter of credentials, or more probably, that Paul would give them letters to several persons in Jerusalem.
Meyer well remarks: “Hence we see how common in Paul’s practice was the writing of Epistles. Who knows how many private letters of his, not addressed to churches have been lost? The only letter of the kind which remains to us (except the Pastoral Epistles), viz. that to Philemon, owes its preservation perhaps to the mere circumstance, that it is at the same time addressed to the church in the house of Philemon. See 1Co 16:2 .”
] see reff. Meyer compares Plato, Def. p. 113, E: , .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
1Co 16:3-4 . The Cor [2616] are to choose delegates to bear their bounty, who will travel to Jerus. with P., if this be deemed fit. Act 20:1-4 shows that in the event a large number of representatives of Gentile Churches voyaged with P., doubtless on this common errand. may qualify either (Bz [2617] , Cv [2618] , Est., A.V. and R.V. txt., Ed [2619] ) or (R.V. marg., with Gr [2620] Ff [2621] , and most moderns). Being chosen by the Cor [2622] , the delegates surely must have credentials from them ( cf. 2Co 3:1 , and Act 15 , for such letters passing from Church to Church; also 1 Clem. ad Corinth .). At the same time, as P. is directing the whole business, he will “send” the deputies and introduce them at Jerus. On , see note to 1Co 3:13 . . . ., “But if it be worth while that I should journey too, they shall journey with me” a hint that P. would only take part in presenting the collection if the character of the aid sent made it creditable; otherwise the delegates must go alone; he will not associate himself with a mean charity. The inf [2623] (in gen [2624] case), , depends on “worthy of my going,” “si dignum fuerit ut et ego earn” (Vg [2625] ); it can hardly be softened into “if it be right (seemly on any ground: as in 2Th 1:3 , where is unqualified) that I should go” (Ed [2626] ) as though the Ap. deprecated being obtrusive; he is guarding his self-respect, being scarcely sure of the liberality of the Cor [2627] “Justa estimatio sui non est superbia” (Bg [2628] ).
[2616] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.
[2617] Beza’s Nov. Testamentum: Interpretatio et Annotationes (Cantab., 1642).
[2618] Calvin’s In Nov. Testamentum Commentarii .
[2619] T. C. Edwards’ Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians . 2
[2620] Greek, or Grotius’ Annotationes in N.T.
[2621]
[2622] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.
[2623] infinitive mood.
[2624] genitive case.
[2625] Latin Vulgate Translation.
[2626] T. C. Edwards’ Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians . 2
[2627] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.
[2628] Bengel’s Gnomon Novi Testamenti.
approve. Greek. dokimazo See 1Co 3:13; 1Co 11:28.
by (App-104. 1Co 16:1), &c. Read, “them will I send with letters”.
them = these.
send. App-174.
bring = carry away. Greek. apophero. Elsewhere, Mar 15:1. Luk 16:22. Rev 17:3; Rev 21:10.
liberality = gift. Literally grace. Greek. charts. App-184. Compare 2Co 8:19.
3.] Vide quomodo vir tantus nullam suspicioni rimam aperire voluerit. Grot.
cannot belong to (as Beza, Calv., Wetst., E. V.,-for what need of letters from them , or before his coming, if the person recommended were not to be sent off before his arrival?), but is emphatically prefixed, as the safe and proper way of giving credentials to those sent;- ,-the alternative which follows, of himself accompanying them, being already in the mind of the Apostle.
, plur.,-not of the category merely, meaning one letter,-but meaning, either that each should have his letter of credentials,-or more probably, that Paul would give them letters to several persons in Jerusalem.
Meyer well remarks: Hence we see how common in Pauls practice was the writing of Epistles. Who knows how many private letters of his, not addressed to churches have been lost? The only letter of the kind which remains to us (except the Pastoral Epistles), viz. that to Philemon, owes its preservation perhaps to the mere circumstance, that it is at the same time addressed to the church in the house of Philemon. See 1Co 16:2.
] see reff. Meyer compares Plato, Def. p. 113, E: , .
1Co 16:3. ) whomsoever, when I am present, you shall approve, as faithful.- , them will I send with letters) in your name. The antithesis is, Paul himself, 1Co 16:4 : comp. , Rom 2:27; 2Co 2:4.- , your liberality) a gracious term, and therefore frequently employed.-2Co 8:4.
1Co 16:3
1Co 16:3
And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem:-Paul was not to receive the money himself. It was to be given to men selected and approved by the church, whom Paul would send, furnished with letters from himself, to the church in Jerusalem. There were no facilities for commercial exchange, the money was bulky and heavy, and a company would be a protection against robbers. So a number was selected to carry this fund to Jerusalem. A list of those who accompanied Paul to Jerusalem is given in Act 20:4. He went through Asia where it is likely that this number was increased, as there were contributions from Asia for the same purpose and some brethren from Asia were with him after he reached Jerusalem.
[If Paul deemed it wise to place himself above suspicion, and to avoid giving even the most malicious the opportunity of calling his integrity and honesty in question, as is intimated here, and expressly stated in 2Co 8:19-21, it must be wise for other men to act with equal caution. If called upon to disburse the money of others, or of the church, let that money, if possible, be disbursed in cooperation with others, that they may know that it is handled honestly and used as directed.]
when: 1Co 4:19-21, 1Co 11:34
whomsoever: Act 6:1-6, 2Co 8:19-24
liberality: Gr. gift, 2Co 8:4, 2Co 8:6, 2Co 8:19
Reciprocal: Act 6:3 – look Act 11:30 – by Act 18:27 – the brethren 2Co 3:1 – epistles 2Co 8:20 – that
1Co 16:3. This advice is on the principle of Rom 12:17 and 2Co 8:18-21. A man who is entrusted with the property of another should wish to protect himself from any suspicions of dishonesty. I have known of cases where brethren who handled the money of a congregation, would resent all inquiries about the amount of funds in their hands. They would probably make some peevish remark such as, “If you think I am not honest, I will just turn the job over to someone else.” There is something wrong with a brother who takes such an attitude, to say the least, and he lays himself open to just suspicion.
And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem:
16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] {c} letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
(c) Which you will give to them to carry.
Paul planned to send a representative from each of the contributing churches, or possibly groups of churches, to Jerusalem with the gift. The letters he spoke of may have been letters of introduction from himself since it appears that at this time he did not plan to make this trip himself. Such a procedure would guarantee that the money would arrive safely and that people would view the whole project as honest (cf. 2Co 8:21).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)