Paul encourages the Corinthians by mentioning the Galatians, because they would surely be ashamed to be found inferior to such provincials.

The day itself was enough to encourage them to give alms. For the Lord’s day was the day on which we received all the blessings which we now have. It is the root and the beginning of our new life in Christ. This is not the only reason that it is suitable for almsgiving, however. It is also the day of rest, when our souls can relax from their toils and open themselves to show pity. Moreover, participation in holy Communion on that day instills great zeal in us.

This collection was doubly beneficial, because it helped the saints mentioned above and also the poor people who were in the church.

Paul leaves it up to the Corinthians to choose the carriers of his message, so as to avoid showing any partiality.

Paul is saying that if the collection is generous, he can go too. For if a bishop is going, he ought to take a large amount with him.

Paul is personally strengthening the admonitions by which he is putting them right. The one from whom they have heard Christian teaching is coming to visit. If so, they will be all the more concerned not to be ashamed when he arrives.

Knowing that he has a lot to do in Corinth, Paul does not want to pass through on his way somewhere else but to spend time with them when he comes.

Paul wrote this letter from Ephesus.

Paul made it clear that he was staying at Ephesus because he had found hearts there who were thirsting for the grace of God, and in them he could quickly instill the mystery of Christ. But because the devil is always restless and hostile to those who long for God, he adds that his enemies there are many. For the more they sought after the faith, the more there were adversaries who contradicted them and fought against the teaching of the Lord.

It was precisely because the opportunities were so great that Paul had so many adversaries. The devil is always active when he risks losing his booty.

Although Timothy was preaching what he had learned from Paul and was a gifted evangelist, the apostle commends him since he did not have the same authority. Paul was afraid that Timothy might not be received as he deserved by dissidents in the church, that they would create a fuss, that Timothy would be afraid and that his coming would do nothing for their salvation.

It might be thought that this is some criticism of Timothy’s self-confidence, but Paul says this for the sake of the Corinthians, because if they turn against him they will only hurt themselves.

Paul mentions Timothy’s great merit in order to teach them not only that he should be treated with honor in their company but that once he had made preparations to leave he should be sent on his way with deference, because he was an apostle of the Lord.

Apollos was the bishop of Corinth, but he had left the church on account of its divisions and gone to be with Paul. He would not go back with the letter, because he did not want to return until the divisions were healed.

Paul is hinting that Apollos did not want to go to Corinth because the church there was divided, in the hope that when they heard this they would be eager to make peace. Apollos would come when the church reached agreement.

Apollos was probably older than Timothy, and some at Corinth may have wondered why Paul did not send him instead. Therefore, Paul reassures them by calling Apollos his brother and by saying that he did try to encourage him to go, but he did not want to at that particular point. Paul did not mean to criticize Apollos when he said this. He merely meant that the time was not right for him to come.

They were to be watchful, in case they were secretly attacked in their faith. They were to stand firm, being bold in confessing what they had been taught. They were to be strong in both word and deed, because it is the right combination of these which enables people to mature.

Paul tells them to be courageous and strong, like an athlete or soldier of Christ, doing everything with love toward God and each other.

Where there is strife and dissension, there is no love.

If love had been present, the Corinthians would not have been puffed up, they would not have divided into factions, they would not have gone to law before heathens, or indeed at all. If there had been love in the church, that notorious person would not have taken his father’s wife, they would not have looked down on their weaker brethren, and they would not have boasted about their spiritual gifts.

Paul calls these people the first fruits of Achaia, either because they were the first to be converted or because their piety was greater than that of others or because they refused to be ordained on account of their great humility and instead dedicated themselves to the service of others.

Stephanas and his family were not only the first to be converted, they were also a shining example to everyone else. Those who are first ought to set an example to those who come afterward and be servants of others, as these people evidently were.

Paul says this, because the people he is referring to dwell among the Corinthians, who can profit greatly from their presence.

These are the people who took Paul’s letter to Corinth, and they are also the ones who had brought the Corinthians’ letter about marriage to him. Paul wrote the letter when he was at Philippi.

The spirit of a holy person is refreshed by thinking and doing things which are pious, for the spirit strives after what is good.

It is obvious that these must have been the people who told Paul about the situation in Corinth, and no doubt the Corinthians would not have thanked them for it. This is why Paul praises them and urges the Corinthians to show them honor and respect.