1 Corinthians 16:19-24 - Homiletics

Salutations.

"The Churches of Asia salute you," etc. On these salutations we cannot do better than transcribe the remarks of F.W. Robertson:—"We make a remark respecting salutations generally. This Epistle has many, but they are not so numerous as in that to the Romans. In both of them individuals are mentioned by name. It was no mere general assurance of attachment he gave them, but one of his personal knowledge and affection.

I. ST . PAUL 'S PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS WERE NOT LOST IS GENERAL PHILANTHROPY . That because he entertained regard for the Churches, and for bodies of men, he did not on this account ignore the individuals composing them. It is common enough to profess great interest and zeal for humanity whilst there is indifference all the time about individual men. It is common enough to be zealous about a cause, about some scheme of social good, and yet to be careless respecting individual welfare. But St. Paul's love was from Christ's own Spirit. It was love to the Church generally, and, besides, it was love to Aquila and Priscilla. And is not this, too, the nature of God's love, who provides for the universe, and yet spends an infinity of care on the fibre of a leaf?

II. THE VALUE OF THE COURTESIES OF LIFE . There are many minds which are indifferent to such things, and fancy themselves above them. It is a profound remark of Prescott's that 'liberty is dependent upon forms.' Did not the solemn, slow change in the English constitution, and our freedom from violent submersions, arise from the almost superstitious way in which precedent has been consulted in the manner of every change? But what is of more importance to remember is, that love is dependent upon forms, courtesy of etiquette guards and protects courtesy of heart. How many hearts have been lost irrecoverably! and how many averted eyes and cold looks have been gained from what seemed perhaps but a trifling negligence of forms!"