1 Corinthians 16:8

16:8 Paul wrote this letter while in Ephesus (about AD 53–56; Acts 19:1–20:1). • Pentecost was in May or June.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

1Co 16:8. Ἐν Ἐφέσῳ, At Ephesus) Paul was at Ephesus: comp. 1Co 16:19, respecting Asia.

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

1Co_16:8-9. Paul now mentions the duration of his present stay in Ephesus, and the reason of i.

τῆς πεντηκ.] is the immediately impending festival of Pentecost. See Introduction, § 3. Nothing can be inferred from our text, which contains simply a statement of time, in support of a Christian celebration of this festival as already by this time subsistin.

θύρα γάρ μοι κ.τ.λ.] The figurative expression (comp. Wetstein) denotes the opportunity opened before him for working (otherwise Act_14:27). Comp. 2Co_2:12, and see on Col_4:3. Μεγάλη applies to the extent, ἐνεργ. to the influence of the sphere of action offered; the latter epithet, however, powerful, corresponds not to the figure but to the matter, and even to that only in so far as it is conceived of as immediately connected with the opened θύρα,a want of congruity in the animated and versatile mode of representation (comp. Plato, Phaedr. p. 245 A: Μουσῶν ἐπὶ ποιητικὰς θύρας ἀφίκηται) which occasioned the reading ἐναργής, evidens (Vulgate, Itala, Pelagius, Ambrosiaster, Beda), which occurs in Phm_1:6, and is approved by Beza, Grotius, Bos, and Clericus. As regards the later Greek of ἀνέῳγεν (instead of ἀνέῳκται, as 46, Theophylact and Oecumenius actually read), see Lobeck, ad Phryn. p. 157 f.

κ. ἀντικείμ. πολλοί] quibus resistam. Saepe bonum et contra ea malum simul valde vigent, Bengel.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Co 16:8-9 . “But I stay on in Ephesus until the Pentecost” τῆς πεντηκοστῆς ( ἡμέρας ), “the fiftieth day” from the 16th Nisan in the Passover Feast (see parls.). This suggests that P. is writing not very long before Whitsuntide; 1Co 5:6 ff. indicated a date for the Ep. immediately antecedent to Easter. 1Co 16:9 explains why the Ap. must remain at Eph. some time longer, although required at Cor [2645] : “for a door is open to me, great and effectual, and (there are) many adversaries”. This θύρα is defined in Col 4:3 ( cf. 2Co 2:12 ) as a θύρα τοῦ λόγου a door open to the preacher ; in Act 14:27 it is seen from the other side, as θύρα πίστεως a door for the entrance of the believing hearer ; see parls. for kindred applications of the figure. The door is μεγάλη in respect of its width and the region into which it opens, ἐνεργής in respect of the influence gained by entering it. ἀντικείμενοι πολλοί ( cf. 1Co 15:32 ): an additional reason for not retreating; cf. Phi 1:28 . The terrible riot that shortly afterwards drove Paul from Eph. verified this statement (Act 19 ). Evangelism flourishes under fierce opposition; “Sæpe bonum et, contra id, malum simul valde vigent” (Bg [2646] ).

[2645] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[2646] Bengel’s Gnomon Novi Testamenti.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Co_16:8, 1Co_16:9

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and (there are) many adversaries.

There were two reasons, therefore, for his remaining at Ephesus, his abundant opportunities of usefulness, and the necessity of withstanding the adversaries of the gospel. Pauls plan was to spend the spring at Ephesus, the summer in Macedonia, and the winter in Corinth. The Pentecost of the following year he spent in Jerusalem. He could not leave Ephesus soon, for, he says, a great and effectual door is opened to me. A door is a way of entrance, and figuratively an opportunity of entering into the possession of the convictions and hearts of men. A great door was opened to the apostle, he had a wide field of usefulness. The epithet effectual does not agree with the figure, but the meaning is plain the opportunities were such as could be turned to good effect. And there are many adversaries. The opponents of the gospel varied very much in character in different places. Those in Ephesus were principally men interested in the worship of Diana. The pressure of the heathen seems to have driven the Jews and Christians to make common cause, Act_19:22. Whereas, in Corinth, Pauls most bitter opponents were Judaizers. The presence of such violent adversaries rendered the personal support of the apostle more necessary to the church.

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

at Ephesus--whence Paul writes this Epistle. Compare Co1 16:19, "Asia," wherein Ephesus was.

until Pentecost--He seems to have stayed as he here purposes: for just when the tumult which drove him away broke out, he was already intending to leave Ephesus (Act 19:21-22). Combined with Co1 5:7-8, this verse fixes the date of this Epistle to a few weeks before Pentecost, and very soon after the Passover.

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 8. I will tarry at Ephesus] And it is very probable that he did so; and that all these journeys were taken as he himself had projected. See note on 1Co 16:5.

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

(8) But I will tarry at Ephesus.—In this and the following verse the Apostle returns to his immediate plans at Ephesus. It was probably now about Easter-time (see 1Co_16:7), and the hostility of enemies increases. (See Act_19:9-23.) That must be subdued. A door has been opened wide for the effectual spread of the gospel (Act_19:20). Of that the Apostle must avail himself. Therefore he will remain where he is until Pentecost. Duty to be done, and danger to be faced in the doing of it, were to such a man as St. Paul sufficient indications as to where he ought to be found.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

8. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost] The narrative in the Acts agrees most minutely with this passage. We there find that St Paul had formed his plan of visiting Greece some time before he carried it into effect (Act_19:21); that he sent Timothy to Macedonia, whence it was intended that he should proceed to Corinth (Act_19:22, cf. 1Co_16:10 of this chapter, and ch. 1Co_4:7), and that ‘many adversaries’ arose who hindered the Apostle from following him. Cf. 1Co_16:9, and Act_19:23-41.

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.

But I will tarry at Ephesus till Pentecost. The feast of weeks, or of harvest, which was fifty days from the passover; See Gill on Act 2:1 which though abrogated at the death of Christ, was observed by the Jews, and is mentioned by the apostle, not as a festival that the Christians were obliged to regard, or did regard, but as pointing out the time he intended to stay at Ephesus: and we elsewhere read, that he was greatly desirous of being at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, Act 20:16 not to keep it, but because there would then be abundance of people from all parts there, to whom he should have an opportunity of preaching the Gospel.

not to keep it, but because there would then be abundance of people from all parts there, to whom he should have an opportunity of preaching the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 16:9

co1 16:9

co1 16:9

co1 16:9For a great door,.... Meaning an opportunity of ministering the word at Ephesus, a very populous city, and where he might have hope great good would be done. Some think that by this fair opportunity, or hopeful prospect, he means the populousness of the city; others, the conversion of some great men in it, which had made way for the introduction of Gospel there: but it seems rather to intend the desire that there appeared in many persons here to have the Gospel preached unto them; they flocked unto it; their hearts were opened to attend to it, and great numbers believed; and the apostle found a door of utterance in himself, and a door of entrance in them, which were reasons with him to tarry here.

And effectual is opened to me; not by him, but to him: this door was opened by him who has the key of David, that opens, and no man shuts; and the door of faith being opened by him, it was effectual to the quickening of sinners dead in trespasses and sins, to the enlightening of blind eyes, unstopping of deaf ears, and softening hard hearts; to the turning of souls from the power of Satan to God, to the quickening, comforting, and establishing of saints, and indeed to salvation to all that believe; which is the case when the word comes, not in word only, but in power; then it works effectually in them that believe; and since there was an opportunity of preaching the Gospel with such good effect, the apostle was desirous of making use of it:

and there are many adversaries; as there always are where the Gospel is preached, and especially with success, when sinners are converted, and saints are edified and comforted. The adversary Satan roars, and the posse of devils under him are employed one way or another to obstruct the Gospel if possible; false teachers are raised up to oppose it, and profane men are instigated by him to persecute the preachers and professors of it: so it was at Ephesus, the Jews disputed against it, and spoke evil of it; Demetrius the silversmith, and those of his craft, rose up in a tumultuous manner, crying, great is Diana of the Ephesians, stirring up the people against the apostle, and his companions; all which he had some foreviews of, and found to be true by experience, as may be seen in Act 19:21 and which, though to another man would have been a reason to have departed, was a reason with him to stay; to bear his testimony to the Gospel, to appear in the defence of it, against the disputers of this world, and to strengthen and establish the minds of weak believers in it, who might have been in some danger through so many adversaries; wherefore he saw and judged that his presence was necessary, and that it was proper for him to stay the time he mentions.

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

8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

Ver. 8. But I will tarry at Ephesus] From thence then he wrote this Epistle, and not at Philippi, as the subscription hath it. See 1Co 16:5.

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.

But I will tarry at Ephesus - This passage proves that this letter was written from Ephesus. It is by such indications as this usually that we are able to determine the place where the Epistles were written. In regard to the situation of Ephesus, see the note on Act 18:19.

Until Pentecost - This was a Jewish festival occurring fifty days after the Passover, and hence called the Pentecost. See the note at Act 2:1. As there were Jews at Corinth, and doubtless in the church, they would understand the time which Paul referred to; and as he was a Jew, he naturally used their mode of reckoning time where it would be understood. Doubtless the great festivals of the Jews were well known among most of the cities of Greece, as there were Jews in them all who were scrupulous in their observances. It is no improbable supposition, also, that Christians everywhere regarded this day with deep interest, as being the day on which the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and on the people of Jerusalem, Acts 2.

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

He altered this resolution afterward, for, Act 20:16, he hasted, if it were possible, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was a Jewish feast, and not named here as a feast then celebrated by Christians, but as a known period of time; for the Jews computing time from their festivals, Christians who lived amongst them, and had some of them been converted from their religion, computed also their time from the Jewish festivals.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

8. Until Pentecost—Erasmus and other commentators were sorely puzzled with this honourable mention of a Jewish feast to Gentile Christian readers. Of course, however, Gentile Christians were sufficiently associated with Jews in the Church to know the two principal feasts of passover and pentecost. Both had acquired a powerful Christian character from the crucifixion at the former and the gift of tongues at the latter. But in fact Paul mentions pentecost here as a date rather than an institution. So we speak of Christmas and holidays. The present verse conclusively shows that the epistle was written from Ephesus.

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

I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. It is possible that this intention was frustrated by the riot stirred up by the silversmiths. (Act_19:23-41) But, in any case, he stayed at Ephesus nearly as long as he intended, for the riot only occurred when he was already preparing to leave. (Act_19:21, Act_19:22)

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

I will stay at Ephesus - Where he was at this time.

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

8. “But I abide in Ephesus until Pentecost.” This verse shows that he wrote this letter in Ephesus, the metropolis of Lydia in Asia. Do not forget that the postscripts to all these letters are utterly devoid of Divine authenticity, none of them appearing in the original. They were not only added by an uninspired hand, but by persons who were very ignorant of the Scriptures, and hence, as in this case, sometimes flatly contradict the epistle itself.

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

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost ;

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.

8. I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. He was then writing before Pentecost, which came in the latter part of the spring.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

8. ἕως τῆς πεντηκοστῆς. Observe the minute, yet undesigned agreement of this passage with the narrative in the Acts. We find (Act 19:21) that St Paul had decided on visiting Greece some time before he was able to set out; that he sent Timothy to Macedonia (Act 19:22), whence (see 1Co 16:10, and cf. ch. 1Co 4:17) it was intended that he should proceed to Corinth; and that the ‘many adversaries’ of the next verse (cf. Act 19:23-41) hindered the Apostle from following him as soon as he had intended.

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.

8. ‘But I propose to stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost.’ Evidently he is writing in or near Ephesus, and probably about Easter (5:7; 15:20). At that time navigation would have begun again, and therefore it would be possible for him to come. It does not much matter whether we read ἐπιμενῶ (= παραμενῶ, παραχειμάσω) or ἐπιμένω (= διέρχομαι): in either case he is expressing his intention. WH. prefer ἐπιμένω, ‘I am staying on.’ Pentecost is probably mentioned as a rough indication of time, a few weeks later. He does not mean that he must keep the Feast of Pentecost at Ephesus. His reasons for staying on are quite different. There is a grand opening for effectual work, and there is a powerful opposition: he must utilize the one and check the other.

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

Vv. 8, 9. “But I will tarry at Ephesus till Pentecost; 9. for a great door and effectual is open unto me, and there are many adversaries.”

It is commonly thought this was the date when the tumult excited by Demetrius the goldsmith occurred (Act 19:23 seq.), and that this circumstance abridged the time which St. Paul wished to spend at Ephesus. This supposition seems to me unfounded; it is incompatible with the notice in Act 20:31, where Paul speaks of the three years he passed at Ephesus; for he arrived at Ephesus about the end of the year 54, and at the Passover of 57 he had not passed more than two years and a few months in the city.

The figure of a door denotes opportunities for preaching the gospel. The epithet great indicates that the occasions are numerous, and the epithet effectual, in which the figure is sacrificed to the idea, relates to the power exerted by the gospel in the midst of those populations. The last words are sometimes understood in a restrictive sense: “though there are many adversaries.” But Paul rather finds in the fact a new motive for prolonging his stay. As he is under obligation to those who are disposed to listen to him, he also feels it a duty to confront those who oppose him.

Frédéric Louis Godet — Commentaries on Luke, John, Romans, and 1 Corinthians — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1870s–1890s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.