1 Corinthians 16 - How Should You Give to Your Church?
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.
The Lord's people were those in the church in Jerusalem. Paul was collecting money to help the church help out the poor among them. They had a large number of poor widows in their congregation. The first day of the week is Sunday. Paul gives guidelines for how much they should give. He coaches them to give weekly based on their income.
The Old Testament law was giving a tithe to the temple, but the New Testament writings of Paul and Peter emphasizes generosity. Paul tells them to be intentional about saving up money for the collection each week. Sometimes we are tempted to give based on whatever we have left over rather than setting aside an offering as a priority. Paul's desire was for them to have it ready for when he comes, so he won't have to be put in the situation of raising the money when he is there.
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.
Macedonia was in Greece, where the church of Philippi was located. Notice Paul held his travel plans loosely. Though he made plans, he was flexible and sensitive to the Spirit's guiding and leading. Part of Paul's decision making was based on where an open door for the gospel. At the same time when there was an open door for the gospel, there was usually opposition as well, as was the case in Ephesus.
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. 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. 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
Paul had trained the younger Timothy as a pastor. Timothy was left in Ephesus to help with the church there. Ephesus was the center of the 1st century church.
This echoes Paul’s later words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12. Apparently, Timothy suffered from both a lack of confidence and a lack of respect. It was important for God’s people to not take advantage of this in Timothy, and it was important for Timothy to never give others reason to despise him. - Guzik
We see Paul's caring and sensitive side as he wants to protect his "mentee" Timothy. He considers him his "son in the faith" and it shows. Apollos was not as open to visiting the Corinthians perhaps because of the experience Paul had with them. Paul hoped that Apollos would go to see them soon.
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
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.
These three men you don't hear much about in the rest of the bible. It shows how many people were involved in the early church. Paul spent much time equipping others to do the work of ministry, even as he was traveling to preach the gospel and making disciples along the way. You might summarizing Paul's ministry as preaching, teaching, discipling and equipping the saints for the work of ministry. He was a tremendously gifted man who gave everything he had to the work of the Lord. Where is God using you to build up the body of Christ. Or, where might he be calling you? The church will never be as good as it could be if you are not involved in it. God has given you gifts to build up the church, and you will find it very rewarding to be a part of bringing God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Nothing beats it!
Final Greetings
19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla[a] 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.
Apparently Paul wrote these final greetings himself. He likely had someone else who he dictated the rest of the letter to. You can see the great fellowship the early church had even though they were in different parts of the word. There is a strong sense of the unity they have in Christ. The unity also shows what a high level leader Paul is.
Good shepherds prevent wolves in sheep's clothing from getting into the church and causing problems. Each New Testament church Paul planted had their own issues, which Paul addresses in each letter. Though there were many people in many churches, Paul loved all of them with the same love Christ had given him.
Paul is a great example of the phrase, "Whoever is forgiven much loves much!"
The letter ends with Paul pronouncing a blessing of grace and love towards the Corinthian Christians. Paul’s final word (before the Amen) is Jesus. He has emphasized Jesus from beginning to end in this letter.
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.
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