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1st Corinthians 16.1-end
February 3rd 2019
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Okay, because the doctrinal part of this epistle was closed at the end of the 15th chapter we are going to try and work through this chapter with some expediency.
Before closing the letter up Paul speaks particularly to the subject of a collection for the poor and persecuted Christians in Judea.
Somewhere in his visit to them the subject came up and it appears from 2nd Corinthians chapters 8-9 that it was their idea.
Perhaps due to infighting and division this plan or desire fell apart and Paul returns to in 2nd Corinthians and puts the pressure on for them to complete what they had started.
Paul was in Ephesis and he was planning to go to Macedonia probably to take up the collection there. He was not going to to visit them on his way to Macedonia, but on his return. Prior this was the opposite as he was going to visit them on the way there but from some reason he tells the Christians that he had abandoned the purpose of seeing them on the way to Macedonia and would stop in on them on the way back.
He had resolved, therefore, to remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, 1Co 16:8,9 and in the mean while, to show them his deep interest in them, he informed them that Timothy was coming to them and also Apollos – but he was not then able.
So let’s first read through chapter 16, our last chapter of 1st Corinthians, and then we will endeavor to work through it.
1st Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.
6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
All right, let’s go back to verse 1.
1st Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
In Galatians 2 Paul mentions that he has had a heart for the poor saints in his ministry but we do not have a record of him giving an order. In fact, we cannot mistake this word order for commandment nor remove the freedom believers had to give or not in these collections.
Paul is clear in Romans 15 and 2nd Corinthians 9 that donations to special causes like this were freewill and were to be done from the heart AND with a cheerful disposition.
We are affirmed in this by the contents of 2nd Corinthians 8 and 9 – which we just covered in Meat.
All Paul was doing here (and there) was trying to encourage them to finish what they started.
However the use of the article here shows that Paul had mentioned this collection to them before so it was a subject which they would readily understand.
Here it appears Paul decides to give them instructions on how the collection should be done.
And this he does at verse 2
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
The first day of the week was a Sunday as the last day of the Week was to them/then a Saturday or a Sabbath.
This was called the Lord’s day as He rose from the grave on that day. The Lord’s day was the day when believers typically got together to fellowship, study the Word and worship.
“Let every one of you.”
Now, at this point I have to touch on something quickly that rose out of our study last week in Meat.
Paul is a man. And as a man, prior to his conversion, he really put some Christians to the test – sending them to prison and death at times. And I think he bears some guilt for this as he mentions it every now and again in his communications.
Well, when it comes to this collection for the Saints at Jerusalem, who were the very Jews (his brethren) that he tormented, I think he had a heart.
Additionally, as a man, Paul was able to make mistakes. Peter made plenty (that are recorded) as have others.
Well, Paul’s mistakes sort of come through between the lines of when it comes to this subject of collecting. They are VERY apparent in 2nd Corinthians – as apparent as Peter not eating with Gentiles when Jews were around and telling Jesus that he was not going to let him go and die.
The problem with Paul pokes its head up hear when his instructions say:
“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you
In a number of places Paul makes it clear that only those led of the Spirit in the heart were to give. But he tosses other subtle words in that impose some hefty pressure on those who would read his epistle.
We could see this little phrase in a more positive light, as if he was saying, “Now, let everyone who is lead from the heart to participate come on the first day of the week.”
Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he is simply trying to organize those led.
I would teach it this way if his instructions on 2nd Corinthians were not so over the top.
In any case he says
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Remember, this was a collection for a group outside the gathering there in Corinth. It was not a Sunday service gathering of tithes.
The term “by himself” appears to be be “let him do this at home, alone.”
The term God, as in as God has prospered him, is not in the original, and was added in later versions. The language is actually, “as he has been prospered.”
“That there be no gatherings when I come.”
No collections, and the intent just seems to be that he does not want to deal with all the sums coming in from different places – he wanted it to be taken care of in one fell swoop before he arrived. Why we can only guess. Verse 3)
3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
We know that having letters of authorization was important in those days. We learned about this when Paul was on the errand of the Pharisees to go and collect Christians on his way to Damascus.
This is no exception.
There are a couple major ideas on what this means in the Greek. And one sides with the believers at Corinth providing letters and the other sides with Paul and/or those with him supplying them.
To me, Paul SEEMS to be saying that when the donations go to Jerusalem the letters they provide will direct the distribution to come. Could be majorly wrong here, but somehow it seems the believers were the ones that would provide the letters to accompany the donation.
4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
Which appears to suggest that Paul was still up in the air as to whether he would go with the money and goods to Jerusalem. But if it was right that he did, the letters would go with him.
So Paul adds:
5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.
The RSV puts it this way:
“I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia,” (verse 6)
6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
As we said, Paul intended to visit them on his way to Macedonia but for some reason he changed his mind and here reminds them that he would visit them AFTER the Macedonia visit.
And it may be that I will stay the winter with you and “That ye may bring me on my journey withersoever I go.”
It was customary for the apostles to be attended by some members of the churches and friends in their travels – we see this in Acts 10.
The journey he was taking as in all probability to Judea.
7 For I will not see you now by the way (on my way to Macedonia); but I trust to tarry a while with you, (perhaps over the winter) if the Lord permit.
The next passage proves that 1st Corinthians was composed at Ephesus as Paul writes:
8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
Of course this was a Jewish festival occurring fifty days after the Passover; and hence it was called the Pentecost.
This was the day the Holy Spirit fell on more than 3000 souls – fifty days after Jesus was offered up as the Passover Sacrifice. Why remain in Ephesus until this date? Paul tells us at verse 9, saying:
9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
The word door is used as a symbol of opportunity. Paul calls it “great and
effectual.”
Meaning, it was an opportunity that was posed for great success. He also mentions the presence of many adversaries. Which is no surprise, where there are great doors of opportunities there are typically also great resistances, right?
In verses 10-11 Paul addresses Timothy, who was young in age and says to them:
10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
Paul had sent Timothy to them (we read about this in 1st Corinthians 4:17) but as he had many churches to visit, it was not absolutely certain that he would go to Corinth.
In spite of his age Paul wanted to insure that he would be received kindly and affectionately and there was some danger that among the rich, worldly, believers they could have looked down on him.
There is also the possibility that Timothy had to face false teachers there – who can be really intimidating. So Paul reminds the audience that he “worketh the work of the Lord,” and was therefore worthy of their confidence.
And when it comes time for him to leave, Paul adds:
“But conduct him forth in peace.”
Help him as he moves toward me, and he adds:
“For I look for him with the brethren.”
According to Acts 19:22, Erastus accompanied Timothy in this journey, and there were probably others with him as well.
Titus also had been sent to Corinth, (according to 2nd Corinthians 12:17,18;) and it is not improbable that Paul had desired Titus to bring with him to Ephesus some of the Corinthian brethren, as he might need their assistance there. At this point he turns his attention to another brother in the ministry, Apollos, and says:
12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
Apparently Apollos was with Paul at Ephesus and chose not to return to Corinth again at that time.
I find it interesting that the Apostle allowed him to decide himself and says that he was not willing to return at that moment.
The Latin church historian, of course writing way after the fact, suggest that Apollos did, in fact, return to the church at Corinth but only after their inner warfare were settled among each other.
At this point we see Paul sort of shift from the instructions and other matters going on around there and begins to provide some summary directives before presenting them with his departing comments.
Let’s read verses 13 to the 18, pause, then read 19-24 before going through verse by verse to wrap it all up. So Paul says at verse 13
13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
14 Let all your things be done with charity.
15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboreth.
17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
Now at verses 19-24 Paul provides us with a number of departing salutes, and says:
19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. <
Alright, back to verse 13 where he says:
13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Verse 13 and 14 appear to be exhortations aimed at the dangers and temptations that surrounded them as believers in Corinth.
Dangers to belief are certainly universal but they can also be specific to the area wherein people live.
And at Corinth the dangers were abundant in most areas that trip up believers:
Intellectualism
Myths and surrounding paganism
False doctrine
Enemies of the faith who were Jews
Greek philosophy
Hedonism and sexual proclivities
Bacchanalian living
You name it, Corinth was the Vegas of that world.
So, Paul’s first words to them was for them to “watch.” “Greg-ore-yoo-o” which means, to stay alert and is most likely a military metaphor to stay awake.
In the Apostolic Record it is used quite a bit as the saints in that day had to be on high alert for infiltration, deception, and signs of the times showing how close it was before the Lord returned as his instructions were very specific on how they were to react when certain signs showed themselves.
The second bit of insight to them from Paul was for them to “stand fast in the faith.”
Great advice for Christian everywhere and in all periods of time.
There are influences everywhere – always has been – that seek to undermine the Gospel in the lives of believers.
The big on here was related to the Resurrection – which Paul so aptly addressed.
The attacks continue today:
That Jesus was not a true historical figure, that the Gospels are confabulations, that there is no God, no heaven, no need for a savior, no sin, etc. etc.
This was common then and it is common now. We do walk by faith, and we do have to make that leap of faith which is not always supported completely in this world.
We ARE left to wonder. So the only means by which we stand a chance of withstanding the onslaught is to bolster our faith.
And here we realize the reality – faith comes by hearing the Word. I know I am preaching to the choir but this weekly fill-up on the written word of God, and all that it reminds and informs us about, is essential to standing firmly on the faith once delivered to the Saints.
Paul adds an interesting line next saying:
“Quit you like men.”
The Greek is “andrid- zomahee.”It is not used anywhere else in the New Testament but it is used 25 times in the Septuagint. It also occurs also in the classic Greek authors and it means, “to render one manly or brave; to show one’s self a man; and means “not to be a coward,” or timid, or alarmed at enemies, but to be bold and brave.
We used to have similar phrases in our world like, “Be a man,” which are more and more being ridiculed out of existence by some stances that think gender specific traits are not good.
I would strongly suggest that God made the genders and imbued them with characteristics that readily and generally identify us.
Not all men are manly and not all women are feminine, but generally speaking the historic traits found in males are esteemed to be universal as are the general traits of females.
Paul is appealing to the general traits of maleness – without apology.
Finally, he says, “be strong.” These are some very masculine recommendations but they must be taken in the sense of a follower of Christ. The Greeks and the Romans and the Assyrians and the like were all extremely male. They possessed these traits to an extreme as is illustrated in their histories.
I don’t think Paul is telling them this. In fact all that he tells them must be couched with the suffix, “in the Lord.”
In Ephesians 6:20 Paul wrote:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
This is the key difference from males just being men (as Christians) and being Christian men. So . . .
Watch in the Lord
Stand fast in faith in the Lord
Be a man in the Lord, and
Be strong in the Lord.
If Paul isn’t saying this then all he is doing is commending them to their flesh, and that would not accord with so many other passages that he has presented in other places.
At verse fourteen what I have just said is given some support as Paul now adds:
14 Let all your things be done with charity.
In chapter 13 Paul gave a concise dissertation on Christian love. Agape love. He has exhorted them now to do all things with that LOVE.
That is the difference from being a manly man and being a strong, faithful Christian man.
It’s a simple rule. But so very hard to live – hence the reminder.
At this point he moves on to another subject which was to remind the believers to show respect and deference to Stephanas and his household. So he says
15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
The RSV reads:
15 Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints;
And having said this he adds:
16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
Give them honor, follow their lead, and not only give them respect but give it to everyone that helps us and labors.
Then he adds verses 17-18
17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was acking on your part they have supplied.
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
We don’t know what these men provided to Paul in Ephesus – conjecture has been made by many and it has included everything from scrolls, to money and goods, to clothing Paul may have left behind to friendship and fellowship.
We don’t know. All we know it that these three men appear to have come to Ephesus and they provided something to Paul that the saints at Corinth had not, that their names were Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus (the latter two we know nothing about and the first appears to be the same man as described in verse 16) and that whatever it was that they gave him Paul was “refreshed in spirit . . . and commended them to continue to look favorably on them.
At verse 19 Paul enters, as mentioned, into his wrapping the epistle up. And so he says in his letter to the believers at Corinth:
19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
The word “Asia” in the New Testament usually denotes Asia Minor in general. Paul says that the churches located there salute them.
He adds, Aquila and Priscilla salute you
much in the Lord, meaning with great affection they wish the Lord will bless you and show you favor – “along with all the church that is in their house.”
Then Paul adds:
20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
All the Christians with whom Paul was connected in Ephesus, it appears.
And then he adds:
“Greet one another with an holy kiss,” which is really out of the blue and I’m not sure why this was added here.
21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
It is evident and the popular belief that Paul was accustomed to employ an amanuensis in penning his epistles.
Here he seems to sign this document with his own hand and that is the meaning.
This act apparently gave a sanction to what was written and was a proof that it was his own, and was a valuable token of affectionate regard. It was a proof that there was no fraud or imposition. Why he employed an amanuensis is not known.
Next salutation:
22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
It’s a strange line, If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, but when we think about it, those who love him will do His will, and can be trusted.
But it’s the Anathema Maranatha addition that is pretty darn harsh.
The meaning of the two words put together is,
“Let them be accursed when the Lord comes.”
That was the age, that was the conditions – receive Him and Love Him or perish at His coming. These words validate the who eschatological view that Paul and the others were under in that day.
He concludes with
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And adds in finality
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
It is believed that these are the last words of the Apostle and that what comes next
The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timotheus.
was evidently written by some other hand than that of Paul, and has no claim to be regarded as inspired.
Such subscriptions were added a considerable time after the epistles were first written; and in some instances evidently by some person who was not well informed on the subject.
In this instance, the subscription is evidently in its main statement false. The epistle bears internal marks that it was written from Ephesus, though there is every possibility possibility that it was sent by three of the persons who are mentioned here.
But it seems improbably to sugest that Timothy was concerned with bringing this epistle to them since it is pretty evident he was already on a visit to the churches and then on his way to Corinth.
Finally, there is no internal evidence that it was written from Philippi; but everything in the epistle concurs in the supposition that it was sent from Ephesus.
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PRAYER
Next week . . . Galatians . . . YIPPEE!
