Historical issues in 1 Cor 16:2
The apostle, in the last
chapter of his epistle wrote to the people of Corinthians in the perception of
this, despite the fact that he could not make up his mind to go to Corinth, for
he had designed to see these people in planning to Macedonia. He does not express
here the reason he could not go, but he converse using uncertainty regarding
his sojourn at Corinth when he should get there on his returning from
Macedonia; if the Lord permitted, he might staying therefore a short time
together. This will be clear in his second epistle. In their existing condition his heart may not
make it possible for him to visit them. However he treats them tenderly and
presenting them appropriate guidelines to the circumstances of the moment. They
were to generate a collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem, because as had
been organized with the apostles whenever Paul eventually left Jerusalem as
being the accepted apostle of the Gentiles.
This became not to be carried out in haste when he arrived, but simply
by laying up every week in proportion to their affluence. He would likely send
persons chosen by the Corinthians, or take them with him whenever he travelled
to Jerusalem. He considered staying until Pentecost at Ephesus, where a great
door was opened to him and there were many adversaries.
In the event these kinds of two things go each
other, it is his purpose in remaining; the open door is an inducement on the
part of God, the activity of adversaries makes it important by using respect to
the opponents. A closed door is a different thing from opposition. People do
not hearken should the door is shut; God does not act to draw attention. If God
is acting, the assiduity of the enemy is but a reason for not abandoning the
work. It appears (chap. 15:32) that Paul had already suffered much at Ephesus,
but he still continued his work there. He could not pour out his heart on the
subject to the Corinthians, seeing the state they were in. He does it in the
second Epistle, when the first had produced the effect he desired. There was a
tumult afterwards at Ephesus, stirred up by the craftsmen, in consequence of
which Paul left the city.
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