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glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself." (Phil. iii. 21.)

Could we accurately ascertain the nature of Christ's present body, we might also easily ascertain what ours will be. The apostle indeed says, that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven,"yet our Lord himself speaks of his raised body as composed of "flesh and bones," and as bearing the marks of his crucifixion. (Luke xxiv. 39-13.) In the same passage we find, also, that Jesus did EAT with them, even auimal food, namely, "a piece of a broiled fish and of an honey-comb;" which seems clearly to imply that his resurrection body contained all the organs necessary to receiving food.

We stop

here, however, being desirous not to push our inquiries beyond the letter of the text, on subjects wherein we are so liable to err. When the glorious events here predicted shall be accomplished, we shall, doubtless, find reason to exclaim, with the Queen of Sheba, that the half had not been told us.

(U) Ver. 51-58. The effect of the last trumpet, and the Christian's final triumph. -"Behold! I shew you a mystery," says the apostle. A mystery is a secret-but that secret may be, at least partially, revealed; and here a scene opens to us, full of "terrible majesty." The "trumpet of the archangel" shakes both earth and heaven, and the voice of God awakens the

dead-that is, the dead saints, for they alone are referred to in this first resurrection. Poets and painters have amused themselves in sketching this awful scene, and have represented the awaking dead as crawling from beneath their tombs: but the event defies every attempt of human imagination-in a moment-in the twinkling of an eye-the dead saints are raised, and the living changed. It can be compared only to that Almighty fiat, "Let light be, and light was." (Gen. i. 3.)

And with what ease is all this effected, as relates to the happy subjects of this change-it is only a change of dress! The old garment of mortality and corruption shall be thrown off, and immortality put on and then is fulfilled the saying of Isaiah (ch. xxv. 8), “Death is swallowed up in victory;" that is, not only conquered, but destroyed. And then the sacred writer borrows from another prophet (Hosea xiii. 14) this triumphant song,-"O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory?" Death is thus described by Milton as a hideous, shapeless monster, "Black as night,

Fierce as ten furies, terrible as hell,
He shook a dreadful dart; what seem'd his head,
The likeness of a kingly crown had on."

But the sacred writers compare the mouster to a dragou, whose sting is sin, and its wound always fatal; but, through the death of our Lord Jesus, that sting is drawn, and the poison is extracted.

NOTES.

eruption of Vesuvius at twelve miles' distance, compares it to the raging together of a tempest and a troubled sea, mixed with the roaring of thunder and of artillery: and some of the volcanic eruptions of South America are said to have been heard from 150 to 600 miles. See Dick's Christ. Philos. 21 edit. p. 427.

Ver. 54. Death is swallowed up in victory-or, "for ever." Whitby and Macknight. Compare verse 26. But the same word is rendered victory in ver, 55 and 57.

Ver. 55. O Grave.-Gr. Hades, or the invisibla world. See our Note on Ps. xvi. 10. The Jews speak of the angel of death as having the keys of Hades; and St. Paul describes Satan under a similar character- Him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil." Heb. ii. 14.

Ver. 56. The sting of death is sin-For it is sin that arms death with all its terrors--and the strength of sin is the law-because it is by the law that we have the knowledge, and feel the consequences of sin.

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1 CORINTHIANS.

OW concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I

come.

3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

11 Let no man therefore despise

[for the saints

him but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

14 Let all your things be done with charity.

15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits 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 ye one another with an holy kiss.

21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

22 If any man love not the Lord

NOTES.

CHAP. XVI. Ver. 2. Lay by him in store.-Doddr. Lay something by, treasuring it up;" namely, in the common stock.-Instead of in store, Mackn, reads, "in the treasury;" i. e. the public stock of the church.

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Ver. 3. Your liberality.-Gr. 'gift' or Grace.' Ver. 5. When I pass through Macedonia.-By chap. ii. it appears that Paul had been at Corinth, and by this verse, that he was about to visit it a second time. But instead of sailing directly from Ephesus to Corinth, as he had formerly purposed, he intended to go round through Macedonia; and that he did so, appears from Acts xx. 1, 2.

Ver. 8. I will tarry at Ephesus until PentecostThis, compared with verse 6-"And it may be, that I will winter with you,' "fixes the time of writing this Epistle-after winter, but before Pentecost, which includes the time of the Passover, about

which time Dr. Benson, from chap. v. 7, 8, supposes it to have been written.

Ver. 9. For a great door and effectual.-See 2 Cor. ii. 12; Col. iv. 3; Rev. iii. 8.

Ver. 22. Anathema Maran-atha,-" When the Jews lost the power of life and death, they used, nevertheless, to pronounce an Anathema on persons who, according to the Mosaic law, should have been executed, and such a person became an Anathema (Hel. Cherem), or accursed. .... Now, to express their faith that God would, one way or another.... interpose, to add that efficacy to his own sentence which they could not give it, it is very probable they might use the words Maran-atha; that is, in Syriac, the Lord cometh, or he will surely and quickly come to put this sentence in execution..... In beautiful allusion to this, when the apostle was speaking of a secret alienation from Christ, main

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CHAP. XVI.

[salutations.

24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. (X)

The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaichus, aud Timotheus.

EXPOSITION.

(X) Ver. 1-24. Divers admonitions and salutations to the Church at Corinth.-We humbly conceive, that the last verse of the preceding chapter connects more properly with the present. From the consideration of the resurrection, and judgment to come, the apostle earnestly exhorts the Corin-. thians to steadfastness and diligence in the work of the Lord, and especially in the duty of Christian benevolence, under the consideration that their labour “ was not in vain," for great would be their reward in heaven. He then proceeds to urge upon them a provision for the poor saints; and particularly, as that was now the usual day of meeting for devotion, that on the first day of the week, each one should deposit something in the treasury of the church, as God had prospered him, for their poor brethren at Jerusalem, who were doubtless much harassed by their infidel countrymen in that city.

"The churches of Galatia and Phrygia (says Dr. Paley) were the last churches which St. Paul had visited before writing this Epistle. He was now at Ephesus, aud he came thither immediately from visiting those churches, Acts xviii. 23; xix. 1." And when there, as the Doctor remarks, it is very evident that the same subject was strongly impressed on his mind; for speaking of the other apostles, St. Paul says, 66 They would that we should remember the poor: the same which I also was forward to do." This is one of many incidents remarked by this ingenious writer, to show the harmony between the book of Acts and the Apostolical Epistles, and which clearly prove their authenticity, as the circumstances are too minute and incidental to have occurred to any one who had attempted forgery. (See Hora Paul. chap. 111. No. 10.) Another circumstance of a like nature is found in verse 11 of this chapter, where, speaking of Timothy to the Corinthians, Paul says,

"Let no man despise him;" a charge given concerning no other of Paul's messengers; and what danger was there of his being despised more than others?"Turn to 1 Tim. iv. 12 (says Archdeacon Paley), and you will find that Timothy was a young man, younger probably than those who were usually employed in the Christian ministry; and that St. Paul, apprehending lest he should on that account be exposed to contempt, urges upon him the caution there inserted, Let no mun despise thy youth." (Hor. Paul. chap. 11. No. 9; see also Notes below on ver. 5 & 8.)

After a friendly assurance of his kind wishes and intentions toward the Corinthians, and a friendly apology on behalf of Apollos, the apostle gives them this animating exhortation-" Watch ye, stand fast in the Lord, quit yourselves like men" -all which, as military terms, are highly appropriate to the Christian soldier, who has to watch, as well as fight with principalities and powers-with "the world, the flesh, and the devil." At the same time, while his utmost energies are to be thus exerted, the kindest affections are to be exemplified toward his brethren-"Let all things be done with charity," or Christian love. He particularly recommends to their attention the house of Stephanas," who had "addicted themselves to the ministry (or service) of the saints." Then, after certain salutations, he thus solemnly concludes:-" If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be"-he shall be"Anathema, Maran-atha"--" accursed when the Lord shall come." "To conclude all (says Doddridge), let us lay up in our memory, and often review this awful sentence, this Anathema Maran-atha; which, to give it the greater weight, the apostle records with his own hand. Let it ever be remembered, that professing Christians, who do not sincerely love their Master, lie under the heaviest curse which an apostle can pronounce, or God inflict."

NOTES.

tained under the forms of Christianity (which might perhaps be the case among many of the Corinthians), as this was not a crime capable of being convicted and censured in the Christian church, he reminds them that the Lord Jesus Christ will come himself and punish it." Bp. Patrick in Doddr. This is the passage supposed to be referred to in the preceding verse, as written with his own hand.

P.S. The superscription to this Epistle, which

states it to have been written from Philippi, is so plainly opposed to verse 8, in this chapter, and to other parts of this Epistle, that it is almost universally rejected as spurious and unauthentic; particularly by Doddridge, Macknight, and Paley. The former says, "I hope it will be remembered, that no credit is to be given to any of these additions, which have been very presumptuously made, and, I think, very imprudently retained."

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3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort, wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of

life:

9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that, for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

NOTES.

CHAP. 1. Ver. 1. And Timothy.-By this it Ap pears that Timothy had returned to Paul, in Macedonia, and was now with him.

Ver. 5. The sufferings of Christ-Mackn. "for Christ." Doddridge explains it; "sufferings in the cause of Christ."

Ver. 6. Which is effectual.-Marg. "Which is wrought in," &c.

Ver. 9. The sentence-Marg." The answer of death-meaning that death was fully expected by them.

Ver. 10. So great-Mackn. "So terrible,"-a death.

Ver. 11. Ye also helping together by prayer

Doddr. "Working together in prayer."That for the gift bestowed upon us.-Dodir. "That so the favour [obtained] for us by [the importunate] prayers of many."

Ver. 12. In simplicity and godly sincerity-Gr. "In the simplicity and sincerity of God;" i. e. ia the sight of God. On the latter word Mr. Leigh says, "A fine word! It is a metaphor, either from such things as are tried by being held up against the beams of the sun, to see what faults are in them; or else from such things as are purged and clarified by the heat of the sun from the gross matter that is in them. Mel sincerus, is honey sine cera, or without wax." Critica Sacra, in Eilikrincia,

Paul declares his affection]

CHAP. I.

13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judea.

17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

CHAP. I.

[to the Corinthians.

18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you, I came not as yet unto Corinth.

24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. (A)

EXPOSITION.

(A) Ver. 1-24. Paul, after his usual apostolical benediction, thanks God on behalf of the Corinthian Church, and encou rages them under their trials.-This Epistle, as stated in our Table of Apostolical Epistles (p. 469), appears to have been Written within a year after the preceding; and probably, as mentioned at the end of it, from Philippi in Macedonia. To understand this Epistle rightly, the reader must be informed, that Titus, who seems to have been the bearer of the first Epistle, as well as of this (chap. viii. 17, 18), spent some time in Corinth, in order to obtain a correct knowledge of the state and circumstances of that church, and of their feelings towards the apostle, which he communicated to him, when they met in Macedonia; and it is evident that upon his information, are founded both the commendations

and reproofs in this epistle. But these are not all to be considered as addressed to the same individuals; for it is clear that this church was composed of very heterogeneous materials-Jews and Gentiles, saints and hypocrites; and while some were entitled to Paul's warmest commendations, others merited his severest censures.

Dr. Doddridge remarks, that out of St. Paul's thirteen Epistles, "eleven of them begin with exclamations of joy, praise, and thanksgiving," which fact sufficiently shows his amiable disposition, and the deep interest which the apostle felt in the prosperity and happiness of the churches. The doctrine here insinuated is also highly interesting and important, namely, that ministers, and even apostles, enjoy and endure, not only the common lot of joy and suffering in their own persons, but, being public characters, both the afflictions

NOTES.

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Ver. 15. A second benefit. -Gr. or gift; meaning the advantage of Paul's personal ministry a second time.

Ver. 17. Yea, yea, &c.-That is, honest and plain dealing. See Note on Matt. v. 37.

Ver. 18. Our word.-Marg. "our preaching". meaning the word preached.- Not yea and naynot wavering, uncertain, or contradictory. Doddridge.

So

Ver. 22. Earnest of the Spirit.-See Expos. of Rom. viii. 1-16.

Ver. 23. To spare you, I came not as yet unto Corinth-i. e. as Doddr. explains it, it was from tenderness towards the Corinthians. So Mackn." To avoid punishing you, I have not as yet come to Corinth "-wishing to give you time to repent.

Ver. 24. Not that we have dominion over your faith. The apostles were only servants of Christ, and had no authority but what they derived from him, and from the teachings of the Holy Spirit. See Matt. xx. 25,

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