Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Corinthians 16:9
For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and [there are] many adversaries.
9. For a great door ] The use of door in the sense of opportunity in the N. T. is remarkable. It is a favourite word with St Paul. See 2Co 2:12; Col 4:3. St Luke has adopted it from him, Act 14:27. And it is also to be found in the same sense in Rev 3:8. This verse also strikingly corroborates the narrative in the Acts. Cf. Act 19:19-20.
and effectual ] i.e. calculated to produce results.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For a great door – There is abundant opportunity for usefulness. The word door is used evidently to denote an occasion or an opportunity for doing anything. It is the means by which we have entrance or access; and hence denotes facility in doing anything when there is no obstruction; see Act 14:27; 2Co 2:12; Col 4:3.
And effectual – That is, effective, or adapted to success; presenting opportunity for great effects. There is abundant opportunity to preach the gospel; there is attention to what is spoken, and great interest in it; there is great encouragement to labor. It is possible that this was one of the reasons why Paul had changed his mind about Macedonia. It would require time to visit Corinth, as he would wish to remain there; and an unexpected opportunity having arisen for doing good, he judged it best to remain at Ephesus as long as practicable, and then to go at once to Macedonia.
And there are many adversaries – Many opposers; many who resist the gospel. These were doubtless in part Jews who excited opposition to him, and in part the friends of Demetrius; see Acts 19. That Paul had great success in Ephesus, and that his labors were attended with a great revival of religion there, is manifest from that chapter. We may remark here:
(1) That such a work of grace, such a setting open a great and effectual door, is often the occasion of increased opposition to the gospel. It is no uncommon thing that the adversaries of Christ should be excited at such times; and we are not to be surprised if the same thing should occur now which occurred in the time of Paul.
(2) This was regarded by Paul as no reason why he should leave Ephesus, but rather as a reason why he should remain there. It was regarded by him as an evidence that the Holy Spirit was there. It was proof that the enemies of God were alarmed, and that the kingdom of Christ was advancing. His presence, also, would be needed there, to encourage and strengthen the young converts who would be attacked and opposed; and he deemed it his duty to remain. A minister should never wish to make enemies to the gospel, nor seek to excite them to make opposition; but such opposition is often evidence that the Spirit of God is among a people; that the consciences of sinners are aroused and alarmed; and that the great enemy of God and man is making, as he was at Ephesus, a desperate effort to preserve his kingdom from being destroyed.
(3) A minister should regard it as his duty in a special manner to be among his people when there is such opposition excited. His presence is needed to comfort and encourage the church; and when the minds of people are excited, it is often the best time to present truth, and to defend successfully the great doctrines of the Bible.
(4) Ministers should not be discouraged because there is opposition to the gospel. It is one ground of encouragement. It is an indication of the presence of God in awakening the conscience. And it is far more favorable as a season to do good than a dead calm, and when there is universal stagnation and unconcern.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. A great door and effectual is opened] A great and energetic door is opened to me; that is, God has made a grand opening to me in those parts, which I perceive will require much labour; and besides, I shall have many adversaries to oppose me. So Bp. Pearce understands the words , not as signifying effectual, but as implying full of labour. Door often signifies occasion or opportunity; but here, the apostle may allude to the throwing open of the great doors of the Circus Maximus before the chariot races began; and the many adversaries may refer to the numerous competitors in those races.
God gave him a grand opportunity to preach the Gospel; but he was not to expect that either Satan or wicked men would leave him unmolested.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For God hath opened to me at Ephesus a great opportunity to preach the gospel, which I have reason to hope will also be effectual for the conversion of many souls. What this door of hope was, whether God had let him know there were many souls in that place prepared for receiving the gospel; or that some eminent persons for authority or learning, whom many were like to follow, were there already converted; or that he looked upon that famous city as like to be a place where many might be converted; is not told us.
And (saith the apostle)
there are many adversaries, ( as it will appear to those that read Act 19:1-41 and Act 20:1-38), therefore there was need of the presence of the apostle himself, whose authority might better stop their months, than the more inferior pastors could. What would have aftrighted others from going or staying there, this great apostle mentions as an argument to cause him to make haste to go thither, and to tarry there for some time.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. door (2Co2:12). An opening for the extension of the Gospel. Wisemen are on the watch for, and avail themselves of, opportunities.So “door of hope,” Ho2:15. “Door of faith,” Ac14:27. “An open door,” Re3:8. “A door of utterance,” Col4:3. “Great,” that is, extensive. “Effectual,”that is, requiring great labors [ESTIUS];or opportune for effecting great results [BEZA].
many adversarieswhowould block up the way and prevent us from entering the open door.Not here false teachers, but open adversaries: both Jews and heathen.After Paul, by his now long-continued labors at Ephesus, had producedeffects which threatened the interests of those whose gains werederived from idolatry, “many adversaries” arose (Ac19:9-23). Where great good is, there evil is sure to start up asits antagonist.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For a great door,…. Meaning an opportunity of ministering the word at Ephesus, a very populous city, and where he might have hope great good would be done. Some think that by this fair opportunity, or hopeful prospect, he means the populousness of the city; others, the conversion of some great men in it, which had made way for the introduction of Gospel there: but it seems rather to intend the desire that there appeared in many persons here to have the Gospel preached unto them; they flocked unto it; their hearts were opened to attend to it, and great numbers believed; and the apostle found a door of utterance in himself, and a door of entrance in them, which were reasons with him to tarry here.
And effectual is opened to me; not by him, but to him: this door was opened by him who has the key of David, that opens, and no man shuts; and the door of faith being opened by him, it was effectual to the quickening of sinners dead in trespasses and sins, to the enlightening of blind eyes, unstopping of deaf ears, and softening hard hearts; to the turning of souls from the power of Satan to God, to the quickening, comforting, and establishing of saints, and indeed to salvation to all that believe; which is the case when the word comes, not in word only, but in power; then it works effectually in them that believe; and since there was an opportunity of preaching the Gospel with such good effect, the apostle was desirous of making use of it:
and there are many adversaries; as there always are where the Gospel is preached, and especially with success, when sinners are converted, and saints are edified and comforted. The adversary Satan roars, and the posse of devils under him are employed one way or another to obstruct the Gospel if possible; false teachers are raised up to oppose it, and profane men are instigated by him to persecute the preachers and professors of it: so it was at Ephesus, the Jews disputed against it, and spoke evil of it; Demetrius the silversmith, and those of his craft, rose up in a tumultuous manner, crying, great is Diana of the Ephesians, stirring up the people against the apostle, and his companions; all which he had some foreviews of, and found to be true by experience, as may be seen in
Ac 19:21 and which, though to another man would have been a reason to have departed, was a reason with him to stay; to bear his testimony to the Gospel, to appear in the defence of it, against the disputers of this world, and to strengthen and establish the minds of weak believers in it, who might have been in some danger through so many adversaries; wherefore he saw and judged that his presence was necessary, and that it was proper for him to stay the time he mentions.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
For a great and effectual door is opened unto me ( ). Second perfect active indicative of , to open. Intransitive, stands wide open at last after his years there (Ac 20:31). A wide open door. What does he mean by ? It is a late word in the Koine. In the papyri a medical receipt has it for “tolerably strong.” The form in the papyri is used of a mill “in working order,” of “tilled land,” and of “wrought iron.” In the N.T. it occurs in Phlm 1:6; Heb 4:12 of “the word of God” as “” (powerful). Paul means that he has at least a great opportunity for work in Ephesus.
And there are many adversaries ( ). “And many are lying opposed to me,” lined up against me. These Paul mentions as a reason for staying in, not for leaving, Ephesus. Read Ac 19 and see the opposition from Jews and Gentiles with the explosion under the lead of Demetrius. And yet Paul suddenly leaves. He hints of much of which we should like to know more (1Cor 15:32; 2Cor 1:8).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Great and effectual door. Door metaphorically for opportunity : great as to its extent; effectual as to the result. The figure of an effectual door, as it stands, is of course clumsy, but the idea as a whole is clear : a great opportunity for effective work.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me.” (thura gar moi aneogen megale kai energes) “For to me (has) opened a great and effective door, entrance, or opportunity.” This is perhaps an allusion to his controversies with heathen worshipers in Ephesus, 1Co 15:32; a door of enlarged influence for evangelism so often brings adversaries into the open, Act 16:19-40; Act 19:1-41, this revival incited a riot.
2) “And there are many adversaries.” (kai antikeimenoi polloi) “And (there are) many opposers or adversaries.” When righteousness exposes wickedness, especially religious wickedness, the wicked turn vicious; Cain did; Jezebel did; Nebuchadnezzar did; Herod did; (Gen 4:5-8; 1Ki 19:1-2; 1Ki 21:5-16; Dan 3:19-21; Mat 14:1-11).
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
9. For a great and effectual door is opened to me. He assigns two reasons for remaining for a longer time at Ephesus — 1, Because an opportunity is afforded him there of furthering the gospel; and 2dly, Because, in consequence of the great number of adversaries that were there, his presence was particularly required. “I shall do much good by prolonging my stay here for a little while, and were I absent, Satan would do much injury.” In the first clause, he makes use of a metaphor that is quite in common use, when he employs the term door as meaning an opportunity. For the Lord opened up a way for him for the furtherance of the gospel. He calls this a great door, because he could gain many. He calls it effectual, inasmuch as the Lord blessed his labor, and rendered his doctrine effectual by the power of His Spirit. We see, then, how this holy man (164) sought everywhere Christ’s glory, and did not select a place with a view to his own convenience or his own pleasure; but simply looked to this — where he might do most good, and serve his Lord with most abundant fruit; and in addition to this, he did not merely not shrink back from hardships, but presented himself, of his own accord, where he saw that he would have to contend more keenly, and with greater difficulty. For the reason why he remained (165) was, that many adversaries were at hand; and the better equipped he was for enduring their assault, he required to be so much the better prepared, and the more resolute.
(164) “ Ce sainct Apostre;” — “This holy Apostle.”
(165) “ En Ephese;” — “In Ephesus.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
9. A great door Much of Ephesus heretofore closed is now opened to him.
Many adversaries Requiring his presence to defend and protect the Church. It is very probable that it was this great door now opened that had already awakened the hostile zeal of Demetrius the silversmith, and other adversaries, in behalf of Diana and their “craft.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Co 16:9. For a great door and effectual, &c. Some think that here is an allusion to the door of the circus, whence chariots were let out when the races were to begin: and that the word ‘, signifies the same as antagonists, with whom the Apostle was to contend, as in a course, Act 19:20; Act 19:41. This opposition rendered his presence more necessary to preserve those who were already converted, and to increase the number, if God should bless his ministry.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
Ver. 9. And effectual ] , or, busy, that requires great painstaking. The ministry is not an idle man’s occupation, as some fools think it.
And many adversaries ] Truth never lacks an opposite. In the beginning of the late Reformation, Eckius, Roffensis, Cajetan, Moore, Faber, Cochlaeus, Catharinus, Pighius, all these wrote against Luther, Summo conatu, acerrimo desiderio, non vulgari doctrina, as one saith, with utmost desire and endeavour.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
door. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6. Compare Act 14:27, 2Co 2:12. Col 4:3. Rev 3:8 See for the facts, Act 19:17-20.
effectual. Greek. energes. Elsewhere, Phm 1:6. Heb 4:12
unto = to.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
1Co 16:9. , a door) It is the part of a wise man to watch opportunities.-, has been opened) at Ephesus.- , great and effectual) He was about to take advantage of so great an opportunity for some weeks; comp. ch. 1Co 5:7, note.-, adversaries) whom I must resist. Often good, and, its contrary, evil, flourish vigorously at one and the same time.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
1Co 16:9
1Co 16:9
for a great door and effectual is opened unto me,-The reason given for remaining was that there was a good opening for preaching the gospel, and many ready to hear and obey. [The metaphor of an open door to represent the access of the preacher to the hearts of the people was a favorite with Paul. When he and Barnabas returned to Antioch from the first mission ever sent to the heathen world, they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles (Act 14:27); reporting the favorable outlook at Troas, he said: When I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened unto me in the Lord, I had no relief for my spirit (2Co 2:12-13); unto the Colossians he said Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds (Col 4:2-3); and of the Thessalonians he requested: Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified (2Th 3:1). The account of the great and effectual opening for the gospel, and the virulence of the adversaries, is given in Act 19:8-20.]
and there are many adversaries.-It was necessary for him to stay and refute them. The much opposition made him leave a place when none would obey; but when many obeyed, it was needful that he should stay and reap the harvest and meet the adversaries. [But Satan would not suffer the great success of the gospel without great opposition. There was no small stir which ended in the dangerous riot in the theatre, and Pauls departure to Macedonia.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
a great: Act 19:8-10
door: Act 14:27, 2Co 2:12, Col 4:3, Rev 3:7, Rev 3:8
there: 1Co 15:32, Act 19:9, Act 19:10, 2Co 1:8-10, Phi 3:18
Reciprocal: Ezr 4:1 – the adversaries Neh 4:17 – with one Joh 10:3 – the porter Act 2:6 – the multitude Act 10:27 – and found Act 14:3 – therefore Act 19:26 – that not Col 4:15 – the church 2Th 3:1 – the word Tit 3:12 – for
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
OPEN DOORS AND ADVERSARIES
A great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
1Co 16:9
St. Pauls great and effectual door was at Ephesus (see Acts 18, 19). How was the opposition met? St. Paul changed his tactics, but he never changed his message. He was a man who believed in adaptation. Thus, when he found that opposition was growing, he withdrew from the synagogue and went into the school of one Tyrannus. The work was done gradually and slowly, but still most effectually, and there was, in consequence, a large gathering into the Church.
The Christian Church of to-day has to contend with adversaries. Here are some of them:
I. Unspiritual workers.Act 19:14 shows that there was a great deal of sorcery and false teaching going on, but St. Paul left these false teachers alone, and God dealt with them. Let us take great care that our ministry, our work, is genuine, and that we preach and teach a personal SaviourOne of Whom we know in our own personal experience.
II. Spiritual depression.St. Paul does not expressly mention this, but he may have been tempted to despond, in the face of open hostility. Do not despair, but rather persevere in good work, and the blessing will come.
III. Mechanicalism.There is not a little connection between depression and mechanicalism. As soon as we get depressed the fire and life seem to go out of our work, and when we get mechanical we sink into a dull and sluggish condition.
IV. Pride.This is doing a great deal of harm in the Church of God. If God is blessing us with success, we may see how pride steps in. As long as the spirit of soreness and jealousy is there, it will do much to darken our lives and cripple our usefulness. If we can conquer pride we shall be better able to cope with other temptations.
Open doors and adversaries will come, but we may conquer difficulties by a close walk with God and confidence in our message.
Rev. W. H. Hewett.
Illustration
To Ephesus, as the capital of the Roman province, and the centre of provincial life, there poured multitudes daily from every quarter of Asia. Hither Gentiles and Jews alike hastened continually on errands of business, religion, and pleasure. And the lecture-room of Tyrannus welcomed all who came, whether attracted by curiosity or by love of the truth. By degrees St. Paul had gathered round him a band of evangelists who carried the Gospel back to their own Asian towns. Thus, to those seven cities of Asia, and to others not numbered in the mystical seven, the faith was first brought; churches were planted and organised, or (to use the Apocalyptic figure) the Divine candlestick was set up, ministering the oil of grace through the golden channels of apostolic order, and burning brightly amid pagan darkness. Thus, St. Pauls figure of a great door set open exactly describes his joy at finding the Gospel penetrate so soon from Ephesus through Asia.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
1Co 16:9. The first part of this verse is somewhat awkwardly constructed by the translators. The words great and effectual are adjectives, modifying door, which means as if it said “a great and effectual [efficient] door.” The fact of there being many adversaries was the reason Paul wished to remain at Ephesus as long as he could.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1Co 16:9. for a great door and effectual is opened[1] unto me, and there are many adversaries. He is eager to enter in on a wide and most hopeful field of missionary usefulness, nothing daunted by the resistance expected: compare 2Co 2:12, When I came to Troas, to preach Christs gospel, a door was opened unto me of the Lord; Col 4:3, Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ; 2Th 3:1, Pray for us that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified; Act 14:27, They rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles. Who the adversaries were in this case is minutely described in Acts 19 : there we find that in consequence of the great success of his work among the Jews at Corinth, the wrath of the unbelieving ones burst forth upon him, but that he foiled them by withdrawing from the synagogue and teaching in the school of Tyrannus, where his success was even greater. After that they made an impotent attempt to ascribe his success to a league with evil spiritsto their own confusion and the furtherance of the Gospel. No wonder then that the apostle says here, a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and we see here some of many adversaries. But the Gentile adversaries were at Ephesus even more formidable; when, encountering the worshippers of the great goddess Diana, he was like to be torn in pieces by the beasts at Ephesus.
[1] The Greek verb is the ad perf. act in a passive sense.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
for a great door [the common metaphor expressing opportunity– Act 14:27; 2Co 2:12; Col 4:3; Rev 3:8; Hos 2:15] and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. [For this success and the adversaries which it aroused see Act 19:1-20 . For the riot which it afterwards stirred up see Act 19:23-41 . From this paragraph it appears that it had been Paul’s plan to visit Corinth, going thither from Ephesus by direct course across the gean Sea; and after a brief sojourn there to pass up into Macedonia, and visit Corinth again on the return. This plan he evidently communicated to the Corinthians in that first epistle which is lost (1Co 5:9). But the evil reports which came to him concerning the conduct of the Corinthian church caused him to change his purpose, and delay his visit, that they might have time to repent, and so escape the severe correction which he would otherwise have felt constrained to administer to them (2Co 1:23; 2Co 2:1). Moreover, he reversed his route; coming by Macedonia (Act 19:21-22), and intending to depart by sea (Act 20:3). To help bring about a state of repentance, he sent Timothy as a forerunner (1Co 4:16-21), and sent him by way of Macedonia (Acts 19:22). He now writes that he has thus altered his plans, and that he is coming through Macedonia, and that he will not pay them two cursory visits, but will make them one long one, and probably stay all winter. However, he will not begin this journey until after Pentecost, for the work in Ephesus has become so fruitful as to demand at present all his attention. Paul carried out his plan as here outlined (2Co 2:13; 2Co 8:1; 2Co 9:2; 2Co 9:4; 2Co 12:14; 2Co 13:1; Act 20:3-6). He suggests their forwarding him on his journey, thus showing his confidence in them, that they would give him this customary proof of affection (Rom 15:24; Act 15:3; Act 17:15; Tit 3:13); but intimates, by using “whithersoever,” that his course beyond them is uncertain. We find later that he was compelled to change his plan– Act 20:3]
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
9. For there is a great and effectual door opened to me, and there are many opposers. It is pertinent that we note the Pauline estimation of a grand and effectual door opened for the work of the Lord. The only index he here gives is that the opposition was great. As a rule, where the devil works powerfully God is working too. These excarnate demons have access to information frequently beyond the reach of us mortals. My grandest success has been achieved amid the most formidable opposition. Satan is no fool, he does not waste his ammunition. The very fact that he is stirring earth and Hell to oppose the Lords work is a prima facie evidence that a great victory is coming. Paul so regarded it.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
16:9 For a great door and {d} effectual is opened unto me, and [there are] many adversaries.
(d) Very fit and convenient to do great things by.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Paul occasionally used the door as a metaphor for opportunity (cf. 2Co 2:12; Col 4:3). He stayed in Ephesus three years to take advantage of his opportunities there. He did not regard adversaries there as an indication of a closed door or as a sign that God wanted him to move on to more comfortable ministry. He followed his own advice and remained immovable and abounding in the work of the Lord in Ephesus (1Co 15:58).