I Corinthians 16:1

First Corinthians 16:1

The Bible says in First Corinthians 16:1-4, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whosoever you shall approve by our letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be good that I go also, they shall go with me."

Several things can be learned about giving in this passage of scripture. It’s important to note what this collection was all about. Paul was not telling the Corinthians that they should have regular offerings every Sunday. This was a special collection for a project that Paul had during his lifetime. Paul was concerned about the plight of the Christians in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was where the Lord was put to death. Jerusalem was where Stephen was stoned for his faith, and Jerusalem was where the lives of the apostles were threatened by the Jewish leaders. Some of the worst persecutions suffered by believers in Jesus, were suffered during the first century in Jerusalem. Believers were ostracized: those who did not lose their lives lost their homes and their livelihoods. And Paul wanted to help them.

It seems reasonable that when you have been given by God more than you need, one of the reasons for it is so that you can help those who are less fortunate than you are. "Whosoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his feelings of compassion for him: how dwells the love of God in him?"

Paul was not asking for money for himself or for his own missionary campaigns. Although, he always expressed the proper amount of gratitude when he was assisted. But the point is that Paul did not have an organized campaign to seek or to gather financial assistance for his own work. This is a sharp contrast to so many Christian organizations today. The only organized financial program conducted by the apostle Paul was not even for the spread of the gospel. It was for assistance to be given to the poor believers of Jerusalem.

Evidently Paul had a certain reticence and reluctance to ask for money. That’s seen by his avoidance of asking it for himself, even thou he asked it for others. And it’s also seen by the fact that he asked that all offerings be taken before his arrival so that none would take place while he was present with them.

It’s too bad that more preachers over the years have not had the same attitude. Too often the wrong emphasis on money has spoiled the presenting of the gospel. No one should ever get the impression that it’s the goal of a Christian to get a hold of someone else’s money. Many church organizations have gotten themselves into trouble financially, and thus have put themselves under great pressure to get more money. Decisions that involve Christianity and finances should be done very conservatively with the utmost effort to avoid over-extending the budget and thus the pressure to constantly seek financial help.

Paul took every precaution to make sure that he did nothing with these finances that could be misrepresented or looked at suspiciously. That’s why he suggested that some of the Corinthians travel with him to Jerusalem when the trip was made to take the financial gifts there. A Christian should make every effort to give no appearance of impropriety in anything that they do. It’ good to know that you are innocent, but it’s also good that others know it when it’s in your power to make sure that they do.

In First Corinthians 16:5-8 Paul wrote, "Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that you may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost." From these verses we know that Paul wrote the book of I Corinthians from the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor. From the book of Acts we know that Paul was in Ephesus for a total of three years.

If you look at a map that shows the missionary journeys of Paul, his second missionary journey is the one that is described in these verses. Obviously, Paul was a person of tremendous energy. He was a doer as a well as a speaker. He planned his trips well ahead of time. We see the human effort and the human planning that went into his many journeys with the gospel, but we also see the important element of trusting in God. Paul made his plans, but he also said "If the Lord permit."

Paul also said in First Corinthians 16:9, "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries." Only God can open the door for the presenting of the gospel, because it’s His work and His gospel. Earlier in the book of First Corinthians we were taught in great detail how God has given spiritual gifts to His believers; and now we are reminded that God opens the doors for the use of those gifts in His service. If God opens the door, no man can close it; but if God closes the door, no man can open it. Paul was wise enough to understand that he had an open door, and he went through it. Have you recognized the opportunities that God has given you and are you going through the open doors? Please, go through the door while it is still open.

Paul knew that he had an open door, but he also knew that there were many adversaries. Don’t fool yourself. Be prepared. There are many adversaries to the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you dedicate yourself to God’s will, if you sacrifice your time and effort for the Lord, if you pray for the lost and show a concern for their souls, and if you surrender yourself to the benefit of others, then this is one of the things that you will receive as a consequence: you will have adversaries. There will be opposition. There will be disappointments and sorrows. There will be enemies. "They that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." "The servant is not greater than his Lord." What they did to Christ, they may very well do to you also. Understand that it’s part of the territory. Don’t let it make you bitter. Learn to say what Jesus said, "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do."

Paul said in First Corinthians 16:10-12, "Now, if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he works the work of the Lord, as I also do. 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 brothers. As touching our brother, Apollos, I desired him to come unto you with the brothers; but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time." It’s very noticeable that Paul treated these fellow-workers as equals. There was no hierarchy amongst them. Paul said of Timothy, "he works the work of the Lord as I also do." And even though Paul wished that Apollos would have gone to Corinth with the others, Paul granted Apollos the right to make his own decisions.

In the next couple of verses Paul has a few final exhortations to give to the believers in Corinth. The Bible says in First Corinthians 16:13, "Watch you, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." In this verse there are four commandments: four exhortations. The first one is found many times in the New Testament and was also given directly by Jesus in His teachings to the disciples: "Watch." There are many things to watch for as a believer in this life, and it’s important to watch. Many people have fallen by the wayside because they stopped watching or because they did not watch with enough diligence. We should watch out for temptation, and always be on our guard against it. Temptation may be at the door, and if you are not careful, it will more easily sneak up on you and overtake you. "Be diligent because your adversary the devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour."

We should watch for opportunities to share the gospel. Often we will miss opportunities to share our faith simply because we do not look for them as the day goes by. Some of the best occasions to witness for Christ can be found in the give and take of a day’s activities.

We should also watch for the return of Christ. Our hopes and dreams will be fulfilled when Jesus returns. "We look for a city who has foundations: whose builder and maker is God." Are we really watching for the return of Christ, or are we living as though life in this world is more important?

We need to watch and we also need to stand fast in the faith. It’s important to remember the fundamentals of the faith and to stay with them, such as the virgin birth of Christ, the authority of the scriptures, the atonement of the death of Christ, the resurrection from the dead, and the return of Jesus as King of Kings. There have been and there will continue to be false teachers who are very persuasive, and many have seen their faith made shipwreck. If you are not careful and determined to stand fast in the faith, then your faith will be endangered.

The phrase "quit you like men" means literally to be manly and figuratively it means to be courageous. Many dangers and snares await those who attempt to go the way that Jesus gave. Through faith in God, who has promised to love you and be with you, you can overcome your fears. It will take courage to walk with God in a world where most people do not desire to do so. And it will take strength: moral and spiritual strength. That’s why this verse also says, "be strong." One of the problems with this world is how weak people are. If only there were more believers who were strong spiritually and morally. If you learn to depend upon Christ, you will become stronger. Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

First Corinthians 16:14 says, "Let all things be done with love." Probably the greatest description of love in any language is found in First Corinthians chapter 13, and so this is a reminder of the emphasis that was made there. You had better watch your heart and guard your motivation if you are a believer. All that you do will be in vain, unless it is done out of love for God and love for your neighbor. It does you no good to have the right doctrines, if you do not express them with love.

The closing statements made by Paul to the Corinthians are found in First Corinthians 16: 15-24 that says, "I beseech you, brothers, (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) that you submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helps with us, an labours. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaichus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge them that are such. The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brothers greet you. Greet you one another with a holy kiss. The salutation of me Paul with my own hand. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema maranatha. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen."

When Paul reminded the Corinthians to show the proper amount of respect and honor for Stephanas, he did so for 2 main reasons: a spiritual reason and a practical reason. The spiritual reason was that Stephanas was one of the first to become a Christian in that part of Greece. The practical reason was the fact that Stephanas and others like him had helped other believers, had assisted the apostle Paul, and had labored. To labor means to work. Work is very important in the Christian life according to the Word of God. Work has nothing to do with salvation, because we are saved by grace through faith: not of works. But after salvation, work is very important. Faith without works is dead. "They that do not work, do not eat." Your works will determine your rewards. Jesus said, "I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day." If you are a believer, you must ask yourself this question: what are the works that you are doing for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ? If you know someone who is working for the gospel of Christ to be spread, then you should honor them for the work that they are doing.

Aquila and Priscilla were husband and wife. We know from Acts chapter 18 that Paul first met them in the city of Corinth and that they worked together as tent makers. Paul referred to them in several of his epistles, and evidently they were often with him and helped him very much in his work. Paul did great things in his life, but he would not have done nearly as much if it had not been for people like Aquila and Priscilla who helped him. This couple is a good example of what a Christian marriage should attempt to be like: not only partners in life, but also partners in the work of the Lord.

The most important thing in the world is to believe in Jesus Christ as the Lord, and to appreciate what He did for us on the cross. Therefore, one of the worst things that anyone can do is to fail to appreciate Him; or as Paul said, "to love not the Lord Jesus Christ." If you believe, then surely you will learn to love Him for what He did for you. If you do not love Him, then there is a question as to if you really believe. The word ‘anathema’ means accursed and refers to eternal separation from God. It’s important to note that the Bible says in First Corinthians 16:22 that they should be accursed who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you love God? Don’t underestimate the importance of loving Him. Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength.

There should be a period after the word “anathema”. And the next word stands alone. "Maranatha" means "May the Lord return!" Those who do love the Lord Jesus Christ, will look forward to His appearing at His great return. The only reason that we can look forward to being a part of the Lord’s return is because of the grace of God. We needed the grace of God to be saved from our sins, and we need the grace of God each day in order to live for Him in this world. If you want to wish good on someone, then wish upon them the grace of God. That’s what Paul did. He said, "May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

In the last verse that Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he told them how much he loved them. He loved them because God loved them, and he loved them because he had such a vital role in the origin and in the development of their faith. When you look at another person or think about another person, always try to remember that this is someone whom God loves and then treat them accordingly.

First Corinthians is a great book of the Bible, and it teaches us many important things. We learned about the carnal man and the spiritual man. We learned about Christian works and the judgment of the Christian that will determine his rewards or loss thereof. We learned about the gifts of the Spirit, and about the believer’s freedom and responsibility to others who do not understand the freedom. We are especially reminded of the importance and the truth of the resurrection. In chapter 13 we have one of the greatest descriptions of love in all of human literature. The believers in the city of Corinth had many problems. They were too easily followers of man instead of God, there was false doctrine and sexual immorality in their midst, and they were misusing and misunderstanding the gifts of the Spirit as well as the Lord’s supper. There were divisions amongst them that should not have existed. But in spite of all of this, they were still loved by Paul and of course they were loved by God. There was hope that they would learn from these teachings, and improve their Christian lives, and do better at serving God in this world. Each of us have the same possibility. We have read the teachings, the same teachings that were given to the Corinthians. Hopefully, we will learn to more fully love the Lord and to love His appearing, and to be able to say as Paul said, "Maranatha."

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