The Concerns of Paul
—1Corinthians 16
Paul had a lot of things to take care of. He revealed some of these concerns in the chapter for this lesson, (1Corinthians 16). In the New Testament, we have two letters that Paul wrote to the Corinthian church. We have been looking at the first of those letters. The lesson below is about the closing chapter.
1 The Collection for the Saints
1Cor 16, Verses 1-4
Paul called the Christians in Jerusalem "saints". That means they were sanctified or set apart as God’s holy people. However, these saints were in poverty because of famine and persecution.
Paul was organising a collection among churches of the Gentiles in Galatia (1Corinthians 16:1-4), Macedonia (2Corinthians 8:1-4), and Achaia (Rom 15:25-27, 2Corinthians 9:6-10). Corinth was a major city of Achaia.
Paul commanded that on the first day of the week (Sunday) when the church assembled, members should bring their contributions to be saved up ready for when Paul came to Corinth. He would then arrange with them for the gift to be taken in good hands to Jerusalem.
Churches today should consider a regular Sunday collection as a pattern to imitate, so as to have funds laid aside ready for when a need arises.
2 Pauses in Paul’s Journey
1Cor 16, Verses 5-9
On his missionary journeys, Paul tried to plan his journey but at the same time to be flexible. He found that in some places he needed to stay rather than have a brief meeting as he passed through. Ephesus was an example where a door of opportunity opened for him and he tarried there a long time to take advantage of it. Paul wasted no time, but nor did he waste an opportunity to teach the gospel.
3 Respect for Timothy
1Cor 16, Verses 10-11
Paul commended Timothy and likened Timothy’s work to his own. Timothy might pass through Corinth on his way to join Paul. Being a young man, he might be looked down on and not made to feel welcome. So he might not stop a while to help the brethren and receive some help from them to help him on his way.
4 Apollos Not Available
1Cor 16, Verse 12
Paul urged Apollos to visit the Corinthian church, but Apollos was quite unwilling to go until he had a convenient time that would not conflict with his current work. Paul was not in a position to demand that Apollos drop his current engagements. On the other hand, Apollos did not lack interest in the Corinthian work. In fact, he was committed to it. Paul wrote, "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." (1Corinthians 3:5-6 NKJV).
This Apollos, by the way, was the powerful preacher to whom Priscilla and Aquila explained the way of the Lord more perfectly (Acts 18:24-26).
5 The Need for Watchfulness
1Cor 16, Verses 13-14
Paul wrote, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love." Paul called for watchfulness and strength of faith. This is the sort of thing that one says to those who are likely to suffer hateful opposition and apostasy. Paul wanted them to be alert, so that they would resist and repel the attack, rather than be surprised and unprepared for defending the gospel.
Strength of faith was not enough on its own. Paul said that everything they did was to be done in love.
If someone were looking for a single maxim to live by daily, and strengthen one's spirit, this would serve well: "Let whatever you do be done in love".
6 Recognition of Stephanas
1Cor 16, Verses 15-16
Paul urged the congregation at Corinth to submit to men of good reputation, who taught the apostles’ doctrine. One of these was Stephanas. He and his household were the first Christians in Achaia. Stephanas and those with him were an asset to the church at Corinth, devoted to the ministry, like Apollos, like Paul, and like Paul’s companions.
Part of watching was making sure that men who were allowed to teach in the congregation were men of good reputation, known for their sound doctrine.
7 Glad of Support
1Cor 16, Verses 17-18
Paul was probably in Ephesus, and Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus were members of the church in Corinth. Because the Corinthians were 250 miles away by sea, Paul felt the absence of their personal presence.
So these three men made the journey from Corinth to join Paul as representatives of the whole church. These men may also have brought a letter and some financial support from Corinth. Their presence with Paul made up for the Corinthians’ physical absence, helped him in the ministry, and refreshed his spirit.
Furthermore, by representing the church faithfully, they also refreshed the spirit of the Corinthians.
8 Fellowship Between Churches
1Cor 16, Verses 19-20
Paul passed on to Corinth the greetings of the churches of Asia. (In the early chapters of the book of Revelation, we read of seven churches in Asia including Ephesus.) Paul also passed on the heart-felt greetings of Aquila, Priscilla, and those who gathered in their house. Then he passed on greetings from all the brethren in Ephesus. Lastly, he encouraged the Corinthians to also greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the Christians ("the brethren") in a city were called together on the first day of the week for the Lord’s Supper. During the week, they would gather in various homes for more fellowship, worship, and teaching.
We call these meetings Bible classes, prayer meetings, midweek fellowship, house churches, cottage meetings, and the like. Paul called them "churches", the same term used for the main assembly on the first day of the week. The term church is used to translate "ekklesia", the Greek used by Paul. It simply means "called out". In the Christian sense, it means an assembly of God’s people called by him to worship together. It also means the whole body of Christ on earth called out of sin and into fellowship with God and with each other.
9 Paul’s Heartfelt Goodbye
1Cor 16, Verses 21-24
Paul closed the letter in his own handwriting. We say that Paul "wrote" the letter, meaning that he was its author, and likely dictated it to Sosthenes, who actually penned it. (Sosthenes is mentioned at the beginning of the letter.) Paul himself penned the final words quoted below.
"If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen." (NKJV)
Paul saw that people had a choice. They could choose to love the Lord Jesus, or else to be cursed. It all came down to that.
