William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 Corinthians 16:19 - 16:19

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William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 Corinthians 16:19 - 16:19


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Here our apostle closes his epistle with several salutations to the Corinthians, from the churches of Asia, from Aquila and Priscilla, and from the church in their house, that is, from the Christian assembly which used to meet in their house for the worshipping of God. Happy that family-governor who has a church in his house, with Aquila and Priscilla; who worships God with all his house, as did Cornelius; who with his household serves the Lord, as did Joshua; who commands his children and his household after him, as did faithful Abraham.

Observe, 2. The nature and manner of this salutation, They salute you in the Lord; that is, with a spiritual affection, for the grace of God that is in you, and wishing you an overflowing stream of spiritual blessings from Christ the fountain.

Next he wills them to salute one another with an holy kiss, a kiss of peace and charity; with which Christians in those times, and according to the custom of those countries, used to salute one another. This was not then a wanton, but an holy, kiss, in which they had chaste and holy thoughts; yet afterwards the piety and purity of the church degenerating and declining, it was thought fit and convenient to lay the kiss of charity aside, which was used in the public assemblies at the celebration of the holy communion. That which is innocent in itself, and pious in its first intendment, may in time fall under such abuse, as to cause it to be wholly laid aside.

Lastly, he adds his own salutation with his own hand. It is generally believed that the apostle employed some person to write his epistle over, which he sent abroad unto the churches; yet that he might prevent fraud and forgery, and that they might know which were his own, he used to subscribe his salutation and apostolical benediction with his own hand, which was well known unto them.