Verse 7
The brethren in view in this whole situation were traveling preachers. To go out in the name of Christ was a great honor because of that name. This is the only New Testament book that does not mention Jesus Christ by name.
"This ’Name’ is in essence the sum of the Christian Creed (comp. I Cor. xii. 3; Rom. x. 9)." [Note: B. F. Westcott, The Epistles of St. John, pp. 238-39.]
Early Christian preachers normally received material support from other believers (cf. Acts 20:35; 1 Corinthians 9:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) or they supported themselves (cf. Acts 18:3). They did not solicit or accept funds from unbelievers (cf. Ezra 8:22; Matthew 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:9). "Gentiles" was a general term for unbelievers. Most of the Gentiles were pagans.
"There were numerous peripatetic streetpreachers [sic] from religious and philosophical cults who avariciously solicited funds from their audiences." [Note: Hiebert, 144:574:200.]
"Even in the present day, there is something unseemly in a preacher of the gospel soliciting funds from people to whom he offers God’s free salvation." [Note: Hodges, p. 913.]
"This does not mean that God’s servants should refuse a voluntary gift from an unconverted person, as long as the person understands that the gift will not purchase salvation. Even then, we must be very cautious. The king of Sodom’s offer was voluntary, but Abraham rejected it! (Genesis 14:17-24)" [Note: Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, 2:543.]
Sometimes gifts from unbelievers, and some believers, have strings attached; returned favors are expected.
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