The claims of the poor saints in Jerusalem.
"Only they asked us that we should remember the poor; which very thing I also was forward to do." While they gave us the right hand of fellowship that we should go to the Gentiles, there was an agreement that we should remember the poor of the circumcision.
I. WHO WERE THE POOR? They were the poor saints in Judaea, not in Jerusalem merely (1 Corinthians 16:1). Their poverty arose, probably, from "the spoiling of their goods," so familiar in persecuting periods, as well as, perhaps, from forfeiting business relations with their own countrymen.
II. A COMMON AGREEMENT TO REMEMBER THEM.
1. It is agreeable to mark this unity of feeling in the midst of controversy.
2. There ought to be no division with regard to the poor. The dictates of humanity, the demands of duty, the claims of interest, alike enforce a due consideration of the poor, but especially of those who belong to the household of faith.
3. A common object of charity ought to have a uniting effect on people separated by other interests or opinions.
III. THE APOSTLE'S SPECIAL ANXIETY ON THEIR BEHALF.
1. He would naturally desire to conciliate the Jews and destroy their anti-Gentile prejudices.
2. Yet his liberality was no token of dependence upon Jerusalem.
3. The prospect of ingratitude,from the Jews would have no effect in repressing his charitable zeal on their behalf.
4. The apostle was more forward on their behalf than any other apostle. How he fulfilled the engagement is abundantly manifest (1 Corinthians 16:1;2 Corinthians 8:1-24.; Romans 15:26).