For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge them that are such.
Read Chapter 16
Cornelius a Lapide
AD 1637
For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. What refreshes me refreshes you. Theophylact thinks that these men were so warmly commended to the Corinthians, to prevent them from being treated coldly or severely for having brought to S. Paul news of the divisions and backslidings of the Corinthians.
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.
Thus, since it was natural for them to be greatly irritated against these persons, for it was they who had come and showed him all about the division, inasmuch as by them also they had written the questions about the virgins, and about the married persons:— mark how he softened them down; both in the beginning of his Epistle by saying, For it has been signified unto me by them which are of the house of Chloe; thus at once concealing these and bringing forward the others: (for it should seem that the latter had given their information by means of the former:) and in this place again, They have supplied your lack, and refreshed my spirit and yours: signifying that they had come instead of all, and had chosen to undertake so great a journey on their behalf. How then may this, their peculiar praise, become common? If you will solace me for what was wanting on your part by your kindness towards them; if you will honor, if you will receive, them, if you will communicate with them in doing go...
