1 Corinthians 16:18

1Co 16:18. Ἀνέπαυσαν, they have refreshed) True brethren, although inferior, do not come or are present in vain. Such is the refreshment of the saints.—τὸ ἐμὸν πνεῦμα, my spirit) 2Co 7:13.—καὶ τὸ ὑμῶν, and yours) in regard to me: 2Co 7:3.—ἐπιγινώσκετε, acknowledge) The Antecedent [acknowledge] for the Consequent [Give them a kind reception], so εἰδέναι, to know, 1Th 5:12. He who does not do so, is said to be ἀγνώμων.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Co_16:18

For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

For, i.e. They have supplied your place, for their presence has had the same effect as would have followed from our being together. It has refreshed me, and it has had a corresponding effect on you. To them, as Meyer and others explain it, you owe whatever in my letter serves to refresh you. Others think that the apostle refers to the effect of the return of these brethren to Corinth, and the assurances they would carry with them of the apostles love. Or, Paul may mean, that what refreshed him, must also gratify them. They would rejoice in his joy. However understood, it is one of the examples of urbanity with which this apostles writings abound. Therefore acknowledge them that are such, i.e. recognize and appreciate them properly.

Charles Hodge — Commentary on Romans (1835), First Corinthians (1857), and Ephesians (1856) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Take them for such men as they are indeed.

Mine heart.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

refreshed my spirit and yours--"yours" will be refreshed on receiving this letter, by knowing that "my spirit is refreshed" by their having come to me from you; and (perhaps) by the good report they gave of many of you (Co1 1:4-8); my refreshment of spirit redounds to yours, as being my disciples (Co2 7:13; compare Zac 6:8).

acknowledge--render them due acknowledgments by a kind reception of them: Th1 5:12, "know" them in their true worth and treat them accordingly.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

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.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

All the brethren greet you,.... Either the brethren, the members of the church at Ephesus; or the apostle's brethren in the ministry, that were along with him, as Sosthenes and others; or the brethren that were come to him from Corinth, namely Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus:

greet ye one another with an holy kiss; See Gill on Rom 16:16.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

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.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

My spirit and yours. They refreshed my spirit by telling me all about you, sad though much of the news was; and yours by this renewal of our mutual intercourse (comp. 2Co_7:13)

Spiritual refreshment.

The three honoured members of the Christian society at Corinth who came to Ephesus, came officially as a deputation to consult the inspired apostle upon matters of faith and practice. But their visit was not simply official; for all three were personally attached to Paul, and their sentiments of affection were reciprocated by the fervent nature of the apostle of the Gentiles, whose largeness of heart was even more conspicuous than his keenness of intellect. The grateful language in which Paul acknowledges the benefit he had received from intercourse with his visitors, is suggestive of thought regarding the refreshment of spirit which is one happy result of Christian associations.

I THE NEED ALL SOMETIMES FEEL OF SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT.

1. Work may be burdensome, and even oppressive, and may weigh down the soul as well as the body.

2. Trials, desertion of friends, disappointment in fellow labourers, etc., may distress the soul and dispose to melancholy.

3. Living much alone and in one"s own occupations is wearisome to the spirit; the energies flag; the quality of work suffers; gloom takes possession of the life. These and many other causes render it most desirable that the thirsting, fainting spirit should be reanimated by some suitable influences.

II THE APPOINTED AGENTS OF SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT. Letters and books are precious, but in the case before us they are inadequate. Living companionship, the society of those like minded with ourselves, alone can meet the requirements of the case. Not only so; sympathizing friends have a peculiar power of restoring the equilibrium of the soul. Sympathy was what Paul sought and valued. It is hard to do even work for Christ without the smile and word of encouragement which our brethren in the Lord are able to give us.

III THE MEANS OF SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT. The presence of Christian friends is much; but their conversation, the opening of their hearts, the inquiry concerning our labours, successes, and failures, these are all much to be desired. Not only the communication of knowledge and advice from our superiors, but the friendly conversation of our equals, and even the sympathy and heart revelation of those in some respects beneath us, may prove truly recruiting to our energies and restorative to our spirits.

IV THE RESULTS OF SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT.

1. Depression gives place to cheerfulness.

2. Weariness gives place to vigour.

3. Sluggishness gives place to vivacity.

4. Despondency gives place to hope.

5. Inefficiency gives place to successful labour.

6. Doubt gives place to living confidence.

In all is seen the operation of that Spirit of grace who does not disdain to work in and through the lowliest of Christ"s sincere disciples and friends.

T,

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For they have refreshed my spirit and yours - Inasmuch as you share in my comfort. Such therefore acknowledge - With suitable love and respect.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

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.

William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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.]

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

18. ἀνέπαυσαν γὰρ τὸ ἐμὸν πνεῦμα καὶ τὸ ὑμῶν. 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, and Meyer to Phm 1:7; Phm 1:20.

ἐπιγινώσκετε. See again 1Th 5:12, cited on 1Co 16:15. ἐπιγινώσκετε here, like εἴδεναι there, relates to the due recognition of the value and importance of the position and work of such persons as are here referred to. ‘Schätzet sie hoch,’ Meyer, i.e. prize them highly.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

18. καὶ ὑμῶν] 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: ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ἡ αὐτοῦ ἀνάπαυσις, αὐτῶν ἐστιν. ὥστε ἐπεί, ἐμοῦ ἀναπαυθέντος περὶ αὐτῶν, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐκερδήσατε αὐτὸ τοῦτο, τὴν ἐμὴν ἀνάπαυσιν, μηδὲν ἄχαρι πρὸς αὐτοὺς τούτους ἐνδείξησθε:—Grot., of the announcement which they would make on their return of Paul’s love for the Corinthians. But this last can hardly be.

ἐπιγινώσκετε] know, the prep. giving force, and slightly altering the meaning to that of recognition. Grot, and Theophyl.,—ἐν τιμῇ αὐτοὺς ἔχετε.

19,

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

18. ἀνἑπαυσαν γὰρ τὸ ἐμὸν πνεῦμα καὶ τὸ ὑμῶν. ‘For they refreshed (2Co 7:13; Phm 1:7, Phm 1:20) my spirit—and yours’; explaining how these three men were sufficiently representative of the Corinthian Church. It was a great comfort to him to learn from their delegates how anxious they were for his direction and advice, and to have their assurance about matters which had greatly disturbed him respecting his ‘brothers’ in Corinth. And it is in the highest element of his being (πνεῦμα, not ψυχή) that he has this consolation. He adds καὶ τὸ ὑμῶν with affectionate after-thought: they are sure to feel the same. This may look backward to the relief with which the perplexed Corinthians sent representatives to consult the Apostle, or forward to the time of the representatives’ return, when the Corinthians would be tranquillized by their report and this letter. The latter is better; it will be a great consolation to the Corinthians to learn what a comfort their delegates have been to St Paul.

ἐπιγινώσκετε οὖν τοὺς τοιούτους. ‘Acknowledge therefore such men as these’: cognoscite ergo qui hujusmodi sunt (Vulg.); agnoscite igitur qui sunt hujusmodi (Beza.). ‘Such services as theirs ought to meet with a generous recognition. They have undertaken a long and perilous journey on your behalf, and they have brought great relief and refreshment to me as well as to you.’ In 1Th 5:12, St Paul uses εἰδέναι for ‘know’ in the sense of ‘appreciate.’ It would seem from these exhortations (15-18) that the Corinthians were wanting in respect for those whose work or position gave them a claim to reverence and submission. Clement of Rome finds similar fault in them.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.