Chapter XV.
(Vers. 1, 2.)
(Vers. 1, 2.) But concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me. Therefore, every Sunday, he commands the people to gather and assemble them, as they desire, for the gifts of God, and to place each of them in their own treasure as it were, so that when the Apostle comes, it may be found prepared for necessary uses; for what is collected gradually is neither burdensome nor lacking.
(Vers. 3.)
(Verse 3.) But when I come, I will send those whom you have approved by letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem. This consolation had a twofold effect, as it still does; so that it benefited the saints mentioned above, as well as the poor in the established Church, which now benefits both in terms of age and need. He says that he will send them by letter, those whom they have chosen as suitable for the distribution: these letters provide testimony to those sent, so that they may be received with grace.
(Vers. 4.)
(Verse 4) And if it is worthy, they will also go with me. He says this, if there is a significant collection, that he can also go; for it is worthy and necessary, so that if he himself goes, he may bring much comfort with him to the saints. This is what he signifies to the Romans, saying: For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to minister to them in material needs (Rom. 15:27); for they were from the Jews, of whom the Lord says, salvation is from the Jews, who were greatly envied in Jerusalem by the unbelieving Jews.
(Vers. 5, 6.)
(Verse 5, 6.) However, I will come to you after I have crossed Macedonia: and I may even stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may accompany me wherever I go. After giving them all the necessary instructions to make them joyful, he promised them his arrival, for which he strengthens all his admonitions by which he corrects them. Whoever hears that he is coming, from whom he received the law, will be more anxious so as not to be ashamed when he arrives.
(Vers. 7.)
(Verse 7) For I do not want to see you only in passing. Knowing that he had many things to do with them, he does not want to see them just briefly, and so that they would not be saddened, he promises to spend a lot of time staying with them; for whatever he does, he does with foresight. For I hope to stay with you for a little while, if the Lord permits. If the Lord, for then the Lord permits him to stay with them: he says permits; if they prove themselves worthy, by correcting the vices that he reproaches in them
(Vers. 8, 9.)
(Vers. 8, 9.) But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. This is why he stayed in Ephesus; for he had found thirsty hearts there, to whom he could pour out the grace and mystery of Christ. But because the devil is always restless and envious of those who desire God, he added: And there are many adversaries; for the more suitable they were found for faith, the more those who would oppose and resist the teaching of the Lord were not lacking.
(Vers. 10-12.)
(vv. 10-12) But if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear; for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am. Therefore, let no one despise him. Although Timothy preaches what he has received from the Apostle and is a suitable evangelist, because he does not have the same authority, he is commended so that he may not be rejected by those in the community who disagree with him and so his arrival may contribute to their salvation. For even the Gentiles could be stirred up to rebellion and discord among the common people, taking the opportunity to attack Timothy; therefore, let no one despise him, because he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am also doing; that is, let the apostle seek that he be received with my authority; for he himself was a bishop. Lead him in peace, so that he may come to me; for I am expecting him with the brothers. He mentions the great merit of Timothy; not only does he command that he be honored among them, but he also shows that Timothy is to be led as the apostle of the Lord with obedience; so that he himself also awaited Timothy with the brothers for the sake of the Gospel of Christ.
But I inform you about Apollo, my brother, because I have asked him a lot to come to you with the brothers; and certainly it was not his will to come now. However, he will come when it's convenient. Saying this, he showed that he had satisfied their will or request, when he fulfilled his vow to them, and Apollo excused himself: he did not declare why he did not go to them, nevertheless he did not entirely excuse himself, but he postponed it. It can also be understood in this way, that Apollo touches them, signifying that Apollo did not want to go to them because they were in disagreement; so when they heard this, they sought peace; and therefore he said about Timothy: See that he is among you without fear; because some messengers were not well received: and by this Apollo will come when they are in agreement.
(Vers. 13, 14.)
(Vers. 13, 14.) Stay awake, stand firm in faith, act courageously, be strengthened: let all be done in love. Stay awake, he says, lest they be deceived in faith. Act courageously, that is, advise them to be strong in regard to the things that were entrusted to them: not like children, who are ignorant of what they are following. Be strengthened; that they may be strong both in voice and in action; for profession and good deeds make one perfect. But in order for these things to be done in love, he advises; for the things that are done with love have the fear and zeal of God; for whatever is done with the offense of a brother does not produce fruit. For some people must be provoked to do good, not to be saddened, for example, if you do not show mercy when someone discourages you, or if you are inhumane, or if you find fault with others, or if you eat something, taunting the one who abstains from it, so as to cause scruple for them. All things must be done in such a way that it is an exhortation to better things, not an insult, and then there is peace. Hence the Lord says, by this it is known if you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35): but where there is contention and dissension, there is no love.
(Vers. 15, 16.)
(Verses 15, 16.) Now I urge you, brothers, you know the household of Stephanas and Fortunatus, that they are the firstfruits of Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints; that you also be subject to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. The Corinthians of Achaia greet you; therefore, he speaks of them, through whom he encourages them to do such work; for they are of them. For this is great among Christians, because, having rejected greed, they give generously from their labors, having become imitators of the father God, who is rich in mercy. However, when he says, 'That you may be subject to such people,' he actually encourages them more to have others themselves as subjects, having become rivals in this work.
(Vers. 17, 18.)
(Verse 17, 18.) But I rejoice in the presence of Stephanus, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed both my spirit and yours. Therefore, recognize those who are like them. For there is a difference between giving a gift, as he says, to the holy ones, and rendering service to the ministers of the Gospel, as the Lord says: For the worker is worthy of his wage. (Luke 10:7). For the household of Stephanus is dedicated to both the ministry of the saints and to those who serve the churches, so that they may be of assistance to the Apostle, as well as to Fortunatus and Achaicus, who are fellow brothers. But when he says, 'They refreshed both my spirit and yours,' and the Apostle denies that he will receive from them, for he says, 'This boasting will not be broken in me in the regions of Achaia,' how did they refresh both my spirit and yours? But I believe his spirit was refreshed in those in whom they had made progress; for he says a gift was given him, namely, that he made progress in those in whom he wished. Therefore, recognize those who are of this kind - that is, imitate them.
(Vers. 19.)
(Verse 19.) The churches of Asia send you greetings. Through this greeting, they remind them to become like those who live in the same province. Aquila and Priscilla greet you in the Lord, together with the church that meets in their home. He mentions two types of churches, the public one where everyone gathers, and the domestic one where they gather through friendship. Wherever the priests celebrate the solemnities, it is called a church.
(Vers. 20.)
(Verse 20.) All your brothers send greetings. It lifts their spirits when it shows that all of them remember these very things. Greet one another with a holy kiss. A holy kiss is a sign of peace, teaching that by embracing one another, discord is removed.
(Vers. 21.)
(Verse 21.) My greeting in the hand of Paul. He shows in this letter that he signed it himself, and he added the words of the subscription, saying:
(Vers. 22.)
(Verse 22) If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema maranatha, which is translated as: If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus, who is coming, let him be cut off. Maranatha, for the Lord is coming, signifies. This is because of the Jews who claimed that Jesus had not come, therefore they are anathema from the Lord, who is coming.
(Vers. 23, 24.)
(Verses 23, 24.) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all, in Christ Jesus. Therefore, he put such a subscription because of those who were eager for dissension and did not love the Lord Jesus; for they would say: I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am indeed of Cephas (I Cor. I, 12). For he who loves Christ does not give glory to men, for there is no hope in men. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you; and it is understood, you who love the Lord Jesus. And since they did not love one another, therefore he says this: My love is with all of you in Christ Jesus; so that they would learn to love themselves with the same grace by which they were loved by the Apostle, not out of lustful desire, but in Christ Jesus.