1 Corinthians 16 - Be Strong and Courageous!

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The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 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. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Paul gave instructions on giving. Note this wasn't necessarily just for their own congregation but a "collection for the Lord's people". We know Paul collected offerings for the church in Jerusalem, which had a worse financial condition than the churches in Galatian, Corinth, Ephesus, and Philippi. Because of their location on major trade routes on the Mediterranean Sea, these churches were wealthier. 

Paul gives specific instruction regarding giving which can be used by us today, as we give both individually and as a church to those in need. 

1. Pick a day of the week to set aside your giving. In this case Paul suggested Sunday, which was the first day of the week, the Sabbath day, in his culture. 

2. Their gift was made in relation to how much they made. Some could give a little and some a lot based on their income. The key was it was fair for everyone. 

3. They set the money aside so it would be ready when Paul came to collect it for the churches in need. 

Paul mentioned his heart for the poor Christians in Jerusalem in Galatians 2:9-10. “The business of relieving the poor members of the church, is a moral duty, a sacrifice with which God is well pleased, Philippians 4:18; our faith must work by this love.” (Poole)

ii. Why was the church in Jerusalem so needy? There may be many reasons. We know they supported a large number of widows (Acts 6:1-6) and were in the midst of famine (Acts 11:27-30).

iii. Generally, Christians have excelled in these efforts of practical ministry. For example, why do you think the Red Cross is named the Red Cross? It started as a Christian organization. - Guzik

Personal Requests

5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 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. 7 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. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

Paul had to go through Macedonia, where the church of Philippi was, before he got to Corinth. You can see Paul had a busy itinerary, as he cared for and helped supply the churches with what they needed. Paul had a heart for all the churches, and it was reflected in everything he did. 

Traveling was a lot more difficult in the winter. The churches also supported Paul in his missionary journeys. He says, "So you can help me on my journey, wherever I go." But Paul was finding great success in Ephesus, which was perhaps the biggest church in the 1st century. Paul says, "a great door for effective work has opened for me." 

We often use this term "open door", when God seems to give us special favor in the missionary and evangelism work we do. Though there was an open door for Paul, there were still many who opposed him. It reminds us our battle is not against flesh and blood, but "against principalities of this present darkness". 

 Paul mentioned his heart for the poor Christians in Jerusalem in Galatians 2:9-10. “The business of relieving the poor members of the church, is a moral duty, a sacrifice with which God is well pleased, Philippians 4:18; or faith must work by this love.” (Poole)

Why was the church in Jerusalem so needy? There may be many reasons. We know they supported a large number of widows (Acts 6:1-6) and were in the midst of famine (Acts 11:27-30). Generally, Christians have excelled in these efforts of practical ministry. For example, why do you think the Red Cross is named the Red Cross? It started as a Christian organization. - Guzik

10 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. 11 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.

We know Paul mentored Timothy and thought highly of him. It reminds us that leaders should always be mentoring younger leaders. One person can only do so much, and when a leader tries to do all the work by themselves, they hinder to work God can do through many people working together. Paul exhorts them to treat Timothy with respect and give him a peaceful setting. 

Paul had trouble with the Corinthian Christians not respecting his authority as an apostle and as a minister of the gospel. If they didn’t respect Paul, what might they do to a young man like Timothy? So, Paul asks the Corinthian Christians to respect Timothy when he comes. - Guzik

12 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.

Then, Paul mentions Apollos, who we know was an eloquent preacher and well-educated. Acts 18:24-26. Apparently he was reluctant to go, but was no willing when the right opportunity presented itself. 

Paul did not sit as a “commanding officer” over Apollos, who is mentioned among the apostles (1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:22). This gives a rare insight about how the early church leaders related to each other. It was not a hierarchical relationship and Paul did not dictate his will to Apollos. - Guzik

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

These are great words for us to hear today. We need to be wise and realize there are many opponents to the gospel, especially if we are aggressively preaching and sharing the gospel. Many will assault the Christian faith, and have throughout the last 2,000 years. Our faith needs to be rock solid, and we need to make our stand on it. The words used here are all military in nature. 

The words given to Joshua by the Lord before he went to take the Promised Land as Israel's new leader hold true for us today,

 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9

Notice how many times he says to be "strong and courageous". Three times! Finally, Paul says do everything in love. This reflects he words in 1 Corinthians 13. They needed to be strong and courageous but still do all things in love. 

15 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, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Paul mentions three other people who were new converts who were very helpful in the service to the church. It reminds us that it takes many followers of Christ to make the church effective. Paul considered them leaders and expected people to submit to them. When he uses the term "submits", it is not in a negative way, but acknowledges that leaders in the church need to have power and authority to do certain things. It comes with being a leader. They were some of the first converts, and they were the core leaders in the new church. 

Final Greetings

19 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. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord! 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Paul also gives words of encouragement from the other churches around Asia. I.e. Galatia. He brings greeting from Aquila and Priscilla, a couple who were key leaders and oversaw a "house church". Paul shares personal affection by saying, "Great one another with a holy kiss". Our relationships with each other are not just in words. Christians have a deep intimacy with each other because of the presence of the Holy Spirit between us. 

Paul mentions that he wrote this last part of this letter in his own hand. Paul's had others who wrote most of his letters, as he dictated its content.  Paul finishes with a saying which means "Come Lord Jesus". Like today Paul was anxious for Jesus to return to set up his eternal kingdom. Finally, he prayed that God's grace and love would be with all of them. 

Paul’s final words, written with his own hand, do much to reveal his heart of love, even though he had to rebuke these Corinthians strongly. It was Paul’s love, for both Jesus and His church that made him such a great apostle. Love, expressed through humble service, makes us great in the Kingdom of God. - Guzik