Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Corinthians 16:18
For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
18. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours ] This “is a concise expression of the same consciousness of identity of feelings and interests which expresses itself so strongly in 2Co 1:3-7.” Stanley. These Corinthians are reinvigorated, through a perfect interchange of sympathy, by the joy that is imparted to St Paul by the presence of one of their number. For the expression itself Stanley refers to 2Co 7:13.
acknowledge ] Or, recognize, i.e. as your natural leaders and superiors.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For they have refreshed my spirit – By their presence and conversation. They have given me information respecting the state of things in the church; and their society has been with me of the most gratifying and cheering kind.
And yours – By removing, says Locke, those suspicions and fears that were on both sides. By thus supplying your absence, they have benefited us both. For Paul gained information of those absent, and they gained in the counsel afforded to them by the apostle – Bloomfield. For they refreshed my spirit by their obliging behavior and edifying conversation, as, I doubt not, they have often refreshed yours by their ministrations among you – Doddridge. The sense seems to be, that their visit to him would be a benefit to both; would result in imparting comfort, a good understanding, an increase of their mutual attachment, and ultimately a large accession to their mutual joy when they should again meet.
Therefore acknowledge ye them that are such – Receive affectionately; recognize as brethren; cherish, treat kindly all that evince such a spirit; see the notes on 1Co 16:15-16. The apostle here designs, evidently, that the Corinthians should receive them kindly on their return, and regard with deference and respect the counsel which they might offer, and the message which they might bear from him.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 18. They have refreshed my spirit and yours] They have been a means of contributing greatly to my comfort; and what contributes to my comfort must increase yours. This is probably the meaning of the apostle.
Therefore acknowledge ye them] Pay them particular respect, and let all be held in esteem in proportion to their work and usefulness. When this is made the rule of respect and esteem, then foolish and capricious attachments will have no place. A man will then be honoured in proportion to his merit; and his merit will be estimated by his usefulness among men.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
18. refreshed my spirit andyours“yours” will be refreshed on receiving thisletter, by knowing that “my spirit is refreshed” by theirhaving come to me from you; and (perhaps) by the good report theygave of many of you (1Co1:4-8); my refreshment of spirit redounds to yours,as being my disciples (2Co 7:13;compare Zec 6:8).
acknowledgerender themdue acknowledgments by a kind reception of them: 1Th5:12, “know” them in their true worth and treat themaccordingly.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For they have refreshed my spirit,…. By their coming and presence; the very sight of them gave him joy and pleasure, and more so their Christian discourse and conversation, and especially the account they brought of this church; for though there were many things in it which were very disagreeable, and were the occasion of this epistle, yet there were others related, which were exceedingly pleasing to the apostle, and revived his spirit, which had been greatly depressed by what he might have heard of them from another quarter, and through fear that it was worse with them than it really was; for by these brethren he understood, that there were many in the church that had great grace, and large gifts bestowed on them, so that they came behind none in these things; and were steadfast in the faith of the Gospel, and with rigour opposed the false teachers; and in all things sought the welfare of the church, and the interest of Christ; and this was good news to the apostle, and which exhilarated his spirit: and he adds,
and yours; his spirit and theirs, in divine things, being the same; they were of one heart and soul; they had the same love, and were of one accord, and of one mind; so that what was grateful to the one, was so to the other: or his sense is, that when these brethren should return, and acquaint the church how the spirit of the apostle was revived, and refreshed with the narrative they gave him of the affairs of the church, their spirits would be also refreshed too. Dr. Hammond thinks that this phrase is taken out of the Greek translation of Zec 6:8, “have quieted my spirit”, which the Septuagint interpret by , “they stilled”, or “caused my wrath to cease”; and in the same way Jarchi, Aben Ezra, and Kimchi explain the words; but the apostle’s phrase is nearer to the original itself of that text, , “they have stilled”, or “caused my spirit to rest”; and is the very same phrase the Syriac version uses here; and which the Chaldee paraphrase renders thus, , “they have done my will”; that which was agreeable and well pleasing to God; and so these brethren by their coming and company, and news they brought, did that which was grateful and satisfactory to the apostle: and the phrase of the spirit of man having rest from another, is often used in the Rabbinical writings, for having satisfaction in them, and approving of them; so they say, e,
“wnmyh hxwn twyrbh xwrv, that everyone “from whom the spirit of men have rest”, the Spirit of God has rest; and everyone from whom the spirit of man has no rest, the Spirit of God has no rest:”
and which their commentators f explain thus,
“whoever is beloved below, it is manifest that he is beloved above:”
therefore acknowledge ye them that are such; as these men; know them, have an affection for them, show respect to them, highly esteem of them for their works’ sake; see 1Th 5:12.
e Pirke Abot, c. 3. sect. 10. f Jarchi & Bartenora in Pirke Abot, c. 3. sect. 10.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
For they refreshed my spirit and yours ( ). They did both. The very verb used by Jesus in Mt 11:28 for the refreshment offered by him to those who come to him, fellowship with Jesus, and here fellowship with each other.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “For they have refreshed my spirit and yours (anepausan gar ta emon pneuma kai to humon) “For they refreshed (both) my spirit and yours.” Paul recognized that the comfort and refreshment that he had received would be reflected in and cause joy through the return of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus and their report to the Corinth church.
2) “Therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.” (epiginoskete oun tous toioutous) “Recognize ye therefore such ones.” Paul desired that the Corinth church give open respect to those who had brought cheer and deputation help to him in Ephesus; such esteem and respect is due to devout men, 1Th 5:12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
18. My spirit and yours For there is such a sympathy across the AEgean between you and me, that to refresh me refreshes you. You are the stronger for my strength.
Acknowledge Recognise them as such as I have described them.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Co 16:18. For they have refreshed my spirit, &c. By removing those suspicions and fears which were on both sides.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
Ver. 18. They have refreshed ] Ipse aspectus viri boni delectat. It is some comfort to see a good man’s face.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
18. ] this is a beautiful expression of true affection used in consciousness of the effect of this epistle on them: q. d. ‘it is to their presence here that you owe much of that in this my letter which I know will refresh and cheer your spirits.’ Theophyl. explains it: , . , , , , : Grot., of the announcement which they would make on their return of Paul’s love for the Corinthians. But this last can hardly be.
] know , the prep. giving force, and slightly altering the meaning to that of recognition . Grot, and Theophyl., .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
have refreshed = gave rest to. Same as in Mat 11:28.
spirit. App-101.
acknowledge = recognize. App-132.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
18. ] this is a beautiful expression of true affection used in consciousness of the effect of this epistle on them: q. d. it is to their presence here that you owe much of that in this my letter which I know will refresh and cheer your spirits. Theophyl. explains it: , . , , , , :-Grot., of the announcement which they would make on their return of Pauls love for the Corinthians. But this last can hardly be.
] know, the prep. giving force, and slightly altering the meaning to that of recognition. Grot, and Theophyl.,- .
Fuente: The Greek Testament
1Co 16:18. , they have refreshed) True brethren, although inferior, do not come or are present in vain. Such is the refreshment of the saints.- , my spirit) 2Co 7:13.- , and yours) in regard to me: 2Co 7:3.-, acknowledge) The Antecedent [acknowledge] for the Consequent [Give them a kind reception], so , to know, 1Th 5:12. He who does not do so, is said to be .
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
1Co 16:18
1Co 16:18
For they refreshed my spirit-They had refreshed him by the help rendered. [They had dispelled the uneasiness which filled Pauls heart in regard to them, by telling him of the church, and perhaps, by showing him many things in a less distressing light than he had supposed, they had given him real comfort.]
and yours:-The information carried back to Corinth was encouraging to the church, for it would be a great comfort to them to learn what a comfort their messengers had been to Paul.
acknowledge ye therefore them that are such.-They should acknowledge and show the regard due them for their valuable work.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
they: Pro 25:13, Pro 25:25, Rom 15:32, 2Co 7:6, 2Co 7:7, 2Co 7:13, Phi 2:28, Col 4:8, 1Th 3:6, 1Th 3:7, 3Jo 1:4
therefore: 1Th 5:12, Phi 2:29, Heb 13:7, 3Jo 1:11, 3Jo 1:12
Reciprocal: 2Ti 1:16 – refreshed
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Co 16:18. These brethren refreshed Paul by their coming to him, and by the message which they evidently brought from the Corinthian church (chapter 7:1). Paul reasons that such brethren were a blessing wherever they dwelt, and therefore must have been so among the brethren at Corinth; he commends them to the favor of the church.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1Co 16:18. For they refreshed my spirit and yoursas if the refreshing of his spirit by their visit was a refreshing of theirs who sent them, so thoroughly does he identify his feelings with theirs (see 2Co 7:3),acknowledge ye therefore them that are suchrecognise their worth, and make them suitable returns.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
For they refreshed my spirit and yours: acknowledge ye therefore them that are such. [These were the messengers which bore the Corinthian letter to Paul. Of them we know nothing more. What Paul says of them here was probably written to keep the Corinthians from showing resentment toward them for having told him the sad condition of the church. The thought seems to be that they refreshed the apostle by partially filling the void caused by the absence of the Corinthians, and they caused Paul to refresh the church at Corinth both by receiving personal messages from him, and causing him to write the letter. He asks that they be received as a refreshment from him, just as he had received them as such from them.]
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
18. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. They brought him contributions from the Corinthian saints, supplying his temporal wants and filling his heart with holy gratitude.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
16:18 For they have refreshed my {k} spirit and yours: therefore {l} acknowledge ye them that are such.
(k) My heart.
(l) Take them for such men as they are indeed.