Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.
Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

• 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

1 Corinthians 16:1-3 ‘Future Plans include their gift for Jerusalem’: “As is typical of his letters, Paul concluded with final instructions and greetings. He also related future plans for himself and his missionary companions, which included receiving the Corinthians’ gift for Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16:1–3). Paul had organized a collection from the Gentile churches to help the poor believers in Jerusalem. The collection was widespread, being contributed by churches from at least Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia (see Rom. 15:26, 27; 2 Cor. 9:1, 2).”

• Timothy B. Cargal, et al., The Chronological Study Bible

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 ‘Letter to the Romans’: “From the earliest time, no one has questioned that the author of this epistle was Paul. Paul probably wrote Romans from Corinth. Gaius, who was Paul’s host at the time of writing (Rom. 16:23), had been one of the prominent converts of his ministry in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:14). Phoebe, who delivered the epistle, was a member of the church in Cenchrea, a harbor town near Corinth (16:1, 2).”

• Timothy B. Cargal, et al., The Chronological Study Bible

1 Corinthians 16:1 ‘collection’: ”An offering for destitute believers in the overpopulated, famine stricken city of Jerusalem v. 3; see Acts 11:28). Paul had previously solicited funds from the churches of Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia (Rom. 15:26; cf. Luke 10:25–37; 2 Cor. 8:1–5; 9:12–15; Gal. 6:10; 1 John 3:17).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

1 Corinthians 16:2 ‘Giving to the poor’: “Paul had solicited various churches for contributions for the needy Christians in Jerusalem (Ro 15:26; 2Co 8:1–5). In NT times, Jerusalem was a poor city. The area had experienced a severe famine some years earlier, and many residents remained financially stressed (Ac 11:28). Paul instructed the Corinthians to set aside some money each week according to how much they had prospered. This amount was not to be a certain percentage of their income. It was, rather, to be based upon the believer’s personal examination of his own heart. The Corinthian contributions not only brought relief to the poor but also brought unity between Gentile and Jewish Christians. Paul reasoned that since the Gentiles had shared in the Jew’s spiritual blessings, they ought to reciprocate by giving some of their material blessings to the Jews (Ro 15:27; 2Co 9:12–14).”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Patty Comber, Pauline Epistles contributor)

1 Corinthians 16:8-10 ‘Further Future Plans of Paul’: “Future plans also included a visit of Paul to Corinth. He would continue his ministry in Ephesus until the Day of Pentecost (16:8), in late spring of A.D. 55. His original plans had been to travel at that time from Ephesus straight to Corinth, and he was apparently criticized for deciding to pass through Macedonia first (16:5, 6, 2 Cor. 1:15–17). From Ephesus Paul did send Timothy to Macedonia along with Erastus, the commissioner of public works for Corinth (Acts 19:22; Rom. 16:23). That trip probably included Timothy’s visit to the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10).”

• Timothy B. Cargal, et al., The Chronological Study Bible

1 Corinthians 16:8 ‘The First Letter to the Corinthians’: “The apostle Paul is almost universally recognized as the author of 1 Corinthians. In the letter, probably written about A.D. 55 during the third missionary journey, he remarked, ‘I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost’ (1 Cor. 16:8). Since he was planning his departure, he probably wrote 1 Corinthians during the last of his 3 years in Ephesus (Acts 20:31).
“The Corinth which Paul knew had been founded as a Roman colony during the century before Christ. It was strategically located in the Roman province of Achaia on a narrow strip of land between the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic, with two adjoining ports. Corinth’s location made it a center of the trade routes passing from east to west. Prosperity brought luxury and immorality. The expression ‘To live like a Corinthian’ to one Athenian writer meant living in gross immorality.”

• Timothy B. Cargal, et al., The Chronological Study Bible

1 Corinthians 16:9 ‘many adversaries’: “Perhaps no NT church had such fierce opposition as the one in Ephesus (see 2 Cor. 1:8–10 where he described his experience in Ephesus; cf. Acts 19:1–21). In spite of that opposition, the door for the gospel was open wide (cf. 2 Cor. 2:12, 13 where Paul also had an open door, but no heart to remain and preach), and Paul stayed. At the end of the experience of opposition described in 2 Cor. 1:8–10, he wrote 1 Corinthians.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

1 Corinthians 16:10 ‘Timothy’: “Paul had sent him with Erastus to Macedonia (Acts 19:22), and then he was to travel to Corinth, perhaps to carry this epistle (4:17). without fear. I.e., of intimidation or frustration by believers in Corinth.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

1 Corinthians 16:12 ‘Apollos’: “See Acts 18:24. Paul felt Apollos should accompany the other brothers, Timothy and Erastus, to Corinth. Apollos refused, staying in Ephesus longer. Paul respected his convictions.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ‘Final Words of Encouragement’: ” Chapter 16 is Paul’s postscript in which he catches up on certain matters that the church needed to know about, such as the need to take a regular collection, the commending of certain missionaries, Paul’s personal plans, and a few last-moment words of encouragement. …
“Like the first century Corinthians, we live in a world of pressures, temptations, and constant spiritual and moral battles. But you and I have everything we need to win the victory. We have the spiritualities of God and these are more than enough to make you superconquerors over the carnalities of the flesh and Satan. “

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

1 Corinthians 16:13 ‘Don’t Let Your Guard Down’: “There is so much that the apostle Paul packs into this warning to the church at Corinth. In his final words to the Corinthian believers, he urges them to be vigilant: always on guard and watchful. And as they do so, to also be courageous and strong.
“The cautionary words are rendered ‘be on the alert’ in other translations. The Message says to ‘keep your eyes open.’ No matter how it’s phrased, the bottom line is that as we attempt to live the way Christ calls us to live, we need to expect a constant attack from the forces for evil. Satan will be continually out to get us, to create doubt in our personal faith, and to destroy us physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually-in any way, by any means that he can.
“The more closely aligned we feel with God in our walk of faith and the more we seem to be doing for His Kingdom, the more severe the attacks will be. Attacks challenging our integrity and our personal faith. Attacks that dangle temptation in front of our eyes, appealing to the areas of our greatest weakness. Satan has a mission: to destroy not only our lives, but also our credibility.”

• Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker, Uncommon Life – Daily Challenge (excerpt from devotion for 21 June)

1 Corinthians 16:13 ‘Be servant-hearted’: “Get your ‘stuff’ together. Act like a man. Be brave and courageous as a lady. You’re the only one on the sales force who’s telling the truth? Good for you! Keep it up. God honors integrity, which is another sign of maturity. When other people are responsible for good things happening, always give them the credit. That’s what mature adults do. Servant-hearted leadership is wonderful to behold.”

• Charles R. Swindoll, Bedside Blessing

1 Corinthians 16:14 ‘They needed love’: “Paul did not use the word love frequently in this letter, but two crucial passages (1Co 8:1–3; 13), as well as this closing imperative, indicate that he regarded love as the essential girder for all of his ethical instructions. ‘Everything’ would have included the divisive quarrels (1Co 1–3), their attitude toward him (1Co 4; 9), church discipline (1Co 5), the lawsuits (1Co 6), marital relationships (1Co 7), the abuse of the ‘weak’ (1Co 8–10), the abuse of the poor at the Lord’s Supper and the failure to edify the church in worship (1Co 11–14). Had they followed the way of love, they would not have encountered many of these problems. The Corinthians had all the gifts, but love is what they needed most.”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Patty Comber, Pauline Epistles contributor)

1 Corinthians 16:15 ‘firstfruits’: “The members of the household of Stephanas were among the first converts in Corinth, which is located in Achaia, the southern province of Greece. Stephanas was one of the Corinthian believers Paul baptized personally (1:16), and was visiting with Paul in Ephesus at the time this epistle was written. With Fortunatus and Achaicus (v. 17), he probably delivered the earlier letter from Corinth mentioned in 7:1.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

1 Corinthians 16:19-21 ‘Greetings from Asia’: “Paul sends greetings from the churches of Asia, as well from Aquila and Priscilla whom Paul had first met in Corinth and whom the Corinthians knew well (16:19; see Acts 18:1-19:1). The apostle then adds a greeting in [his] own hand (16:21). Paul probably dictated the letter to a secretary (see Rom 16:22) and then added a personal greeting, as was his custom (see 2 Thess 3:17).”

• Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

1 Corinthians 16:19 ‘Women church leaders, like Priscilla’: “Women played important leadership roles in Paul’s churches, two examples being Phoebe in the church at Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1) and Priscilla in Ephesus (1 Cor. 16:19). Particularly in Macedonia, where women often assumed prominent roles in religious cults, it would be natural to find female leaders in a church. Paul supported women’s roles in the Christian communities and instructed believers: ‘there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Gal. 3:28).”

• Timothy B. Cargal, et al., The Chronological Study Bible

1 Corinthians 16:19 ‘A dynamic duo’: “Aquila and Priscilla were a unique husband-wife team who were viewed as capable teachers in the early church. Both had a significant influence on the learned Apollos (see Ac 18, Priscilla).”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Patty Comber, Pauline Epistles contributor)

1 Corinthians 16:20 ‘kiss’: “A pure expression of Christian love between men with men and women with women, with no sexual overtones (cf. Rom. 16:16; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26; 1 Pet. 5:14).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

1 Corinthians 16:22-24 ‘Let’s Return to Love’: “If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him (16:22). With this statement, Paul announces divine chastisement on believers who do not love the Lord, which is demonstrated by promoting dissension and division in the church. Lack of affection for God’s people is proof of a lack of affection for God, which results in being outside of his divine covering (see 1 John 4:11, 20-21). Paul then concludes with a prayer for the Lord to come, a benediction of grace, and a per-sonal expression of his love for this troubled church (16:23-24).”

• Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

1 Corinthians 16:23 ‘Love begins at home’: “Quote – Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do … but how much love we put in that action. – Mother Teresa”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Patty Comber, Pauline Epistles contributor)

My Thoughts

Paul covers some administrative things.  Paul tells the Corinthians to give money “according to their income.”  No percentage is mentioned.  Paul is avoiding legalism here.  Some poor people need their entire income to make ends meet.  Some have a great deal of profit from their endeavors.  Also note that the giving should be done weekly.

Interestingly, while on the ruling body of the church, the moneyed people of the church would not give any money until after Christmas each year.  Their company was giving them a bonus in the six-figure range, on top of their salary that was higher than the bonus, but given in twelve months of payments.  Some just gave a small percentage of their surplus.  Some actually looked at the growing deficit between the income of the church and the budget and they gave a higher percentage than what they were thinking if the deficit struck a “chord” with them.  But there was no thought at all to firstfruits.  Regardless of the amount, God wants firstfruits, and then we live by faith that what is left will be enough.  Yet, because they gave more than the others, they were praised.  I doubt if God was impressed, but they kept the church solvent.  Most churches would welcome such five-digit givers.  Yet, where were they in June when the Christian Education Coordinator went out to purchase the education materials for Sunday school classes starting in September?  The moneyed people were nowhere to be found.

Sorry, this does not apply to all moneyed people, but this has been my experience and a personal issue since working as a church elder.  Then again, if the financial team could consider the giving as the first income of next year, it would seem to be firstfruits.

The money was designated to go to the church in Jerusalem.  There had been a severe drought, and the people were starving in Judea.

Then Paul speaks of his plans.  He plans to travel through Macedonia to get back to Corinth.  He is presently in Ephesus, but he hopes to stay for the winter with the church in Corinth.  He feels he must stay in Ephesus through Pentecost.  His ministry is effective, but many oppose him.

But for those who have read Acts 19, Paul faced a lot of opposition.  First, Paul preached in the synagogue for three months.  Many of the Jews opposed his message, and Paul had to move.  Then he moved to the amphitheater where he preached to a growing larger crowd.  Then, an idol maker, a maker of images of Artemis, the local main idol of the Ephesians, saw his business start to dwindle.  He fomented the crowd and started a riot.  They shouted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.”  Paul was not among the believers.  They captured Gaius and Aristarchus.  They wanted Paul.  Paul wanted to go and reason with the mob, but his helpers kept him from going.  Finally, reason prevailed, but Paul had to move on.  I guess Paul’s plans did not match God’s plans.  In some ways they did, but maybe not as Paul envisioned.

Paul was sending Timothy and he hoped Timothy would return to him.  This gives the possible interpretation that Timothy was carrying the letter.  Paul sent Erastus and Timothy to Macedonia per Acts 19.

Apollos was being tutored by Priscilla and Aquila.  Paul wanted him to go with Erastus and Timothy, be he did not feel ready yet.  Apollus was a skilled orator, but the baptism of the Holy Spirit was new to him.

Then verses 13 and 14 appear as a warning.  Be ever vigilant.  You never know when Satan will strike, or in what form – usually a false teacher, trying to unravel what Paul had started in Corinth.

Stephanas was next mentioned along with Fortunatus and Achaicus.  Stephanas and his household are the exception to the rule in that Paul baptized his family.  Otherwise, these three men are only mentioned here in the Bible.

The only other people that Paul mentions are Priscilla and Aquila.  They were making tents in Corinth and they gave Paul and his team a place to live.  They accompanied Paul to Ephesus and remained in Ephesus.  So, mentioning them gave reassurance to the friends of this dynamic married couple that they were doing well.

Then Paul ends with his usual blessings, mentioning Grace and Love, but Paul adds that those that do not love, let them be accursed.

Some Serendipitous Reflections

1 Corinthians 16 1. Which of Paul’s concluding exhortations in verses 13-14 do you want to apply at this time: (a) ‘Be on your guard’? (b} ‘Stand firm in your faith’? (c} ‘Have courage’? (d} ‘Be strong’? (e} ‘Do everything in love’? How will you apply a, b, c, d, ore to your life right now?
“2. What have you learned about setting priorities for how much you will give, and to whom? Is your giving more planned or more spontaneous? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each way of giving?
“3. If you had been a member of the Corinthian church at odds with Paul, which part of this letter would you find most helpful? Most challenging?
“4. As a member of your church and of your small group, what in this letter has helped you? Challenged you? In what way would you like to grow from here?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

First Corinthians 16 has one set of questions.

Substitute whatever group for any reference to a small group or ask who could come to your aid.

If you like these Thursday morning Bible studies, but you think you missed a few, you can use this LINK. I have set up a page off the home page for links to these Thursday morning posts. I will continue to modify the page as I add more.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.