Paul now transitions to his conclusion, by saying “now concerning.” This was Paul’s way of responding to questions that he had received from the Corinthian congregation, as he did earlier in 1 Corinthians 7:1, 25; 8:1; and 12:1. But, more than that, he also expresses how the Corinthians could be “abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not it vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
The collection for the saints in Jerusalem
Read 1 Corinthians 16:1
- What did the Corinthian congregation want to know more about? (vs. 1)
Excursus: What the Gentile Christians were doing when they were helping the Jerusalem Christians
Congregations in Galatia (Galatians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 16: 1), Macedonia (Philippi and Thessalonica, 2 Corinthians 8:1, 9:2-3), Corinth (1 Corinthians 16: 1, 2 Corinthians 8: 1), and Achaia (2 Corinthians 9: 2) all contributed to help the Christians in Jerusalem.
We might think that this collection was simply a way for the Gentile Christians to help the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, who were suffering from a famine. That was true—but it was more than that! To the church at Rome, Paul explained the purpose for those contributions:
But now I am going to Jerusalem to serve the saints, for Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do this, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, then they are obligated to share with them their material blessings. [Romans 15:25-27]
We probably find this idea of spiritual indebtedness unusual to our way of thinking. But it is worth noting. Through their contributions, the Gentile Christians were:
- Recognizing the spiritual debt that they owed to the Jewish Christians (Romans 15:25-27),
- giving a gift (1 Corinthians 16:3, 2 Corinthians 8:7),
- serving them (2 Corinthians 8:4, 9:1, 12-13; Romans 15:25, 31),
- responding in Christian fellowship (Romans 15:26),
- bringing God’s blessings to them (2 Corinthians 9:5),
- and serving God (2 Corinthians 9:12, we’ll cover ideas 5 and 6 when we study 2 Corinthians).
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Read 1 Corinthians 16:2
Pastor’s literal translation: Down from one Sabbath [an expression referring to Sunday], each of ya’ll must place in front of himself, storing as he might prosper, so no collections need to be made when I come.
- How does Paul tell the Corinthian Christians to help the Jerusalem Christians financially?
“in front of himself”: This means this setting aside of money takes place at home, not at church. What Paul is commanding (he uses an imperative verb) is for each Corinthian Christian, each income earner, to set aside money every Sunday, above and beyond his or her normal congregational offerings.
“storing as he might prosper”: People have often used this verse to teach “proportional giving”: The more you have, the more you give. But this verse does not teach that. Paul explicitly restates what he says here in 2 Corinthians 8:12: “according to what one has [not in proportion to what one has], not according to what he does not have.”
(Now, our sinful nature will use this as an excuse not to give. From such sin, we are to repent! However, this does not mean that someone may teach that this verse commands you to give “proportionally,” when it doesn’t. Of course, stewardship campaigns love the “proportionality” of this verse!)
Paul commands (imperative voice, this must be done) each income-earning Christian to designate and save a portion of his income, as he has prospered. But Paul leaves it up to the Christian to decide how much he will set in front of himself (meaning at home) and save. Within Paul’s command, we find Christian freedom and flexibility, allowing the Christian to make wise financial choices based on all the ways he serves in his various vocations.
Read 1 Corinthians 16:3-4
- Discuss the relationship between Paul (“I will send”) and the congregation (“whom you accredit”).
Travel plans for the Apostle Paul and Pastors Timothy and Apollos
Read 1 Corinthians 16:5-7
Paul earlier planned to travel from Ephesus to Corinth, visit Macedonia, return to Corinth (2 Corinthians 1:16), and then go to Jerusalem (Acts 19:21). But we now learn that Paul has changed his travel plans.
- In relation to the Corinthian congregation, why does Paul change his travel plans? (vs. 6-7)
Read 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
- What was taking place in Ephesus that required Paul to spend more time there?
Acts 19:21-40 tells us what took place in Ephesus: “Great is the Artemis of the Ephesians!”
- Paul mentioned Pentecost in passing, which was more than a favorable time of the year to travel. That he mentioned it as a reference means what about the religious calendar for both Ephesus and Corinth? (Remember they were Gentiles, not Jews)
Recommended Reading: For more on the topic of feast days for God’s people, read “Feasts Appointed by the Lord” on pages 200-201 in The Lutheran Study Bible.
Read 1 Corinthians 16:10-11
- What does Paul reveal, again, in passing, about the relationship between what a pastor does and what He did as an Apostle?
“see” “help”: Both are imperative, command verbs from Paul.
“so let no one despise him”: Pastor’s translation: “so no one may despise him.” The ESV translation implies that what Paul says is a command not to do something. That’s not the case. What Paul says is a result clause: When someone recognizes that Pastor Timothy is doing the Lord’s work, just as Paul is doing, he will then know not to despise Timothy for that reason.
Read 1 Corinthians 16:12
Five “Must dos” for the Christian
Read 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Paul now uses a series of five present-tense, active imperative verbs.
- Discuss each.
- How does what Paul commands in verse 14 shape what he commanded in verse 13?
The household of Stephanas
Read 1 Corinthians 16:15
- Who were the “household of Stephanas”?
- What did they do after being brought into the Church?
Read 1 Corinthians 16:16
- Because of what the “household of Stephanas” has done, how were the Corinthians Christians to be in relation to them?
“be subject”: Greek, hupotasso, to be in one’s place. As covered in Lesson 24, hupotasso simply expresses a line of authority, with one person in authority and another under authority. Unlike the “baggage” we carry in our English word “submit,” hupotasso carries no implication of inferiority; it simply affirms the sphere in which one serves.
Read 1 Corinthians 16:17-18
- What more do we learn about Stephanas (and Fortunatus and Achaicus)?
Exchange of greetings
Read 1 Corinthians 16:19
Aquila and Prisca: A Christian couple who worked closely with Paul, first in Corinth (Acts 18:2-3). They moved to Corinth from Rome after Emperor Claudius (emperor from 41-54 AD) had banished all Jews from Rome. From Corinth, they traveled with Paul, where he left them in Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19). Later, they made their way back to Rome (Romans 16:3-5), where they opened their house to serve as a place for Christian worship (Romans 16:3-5). “Prisca” is a shortened form of “Priscilla.”
Read 1 Corinthians 16:20
A holy kiss: An expression of peace and affection among the early Christians (Romans 16:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:26). Justin Martyr, in his First Apology, chapter 65, wrote that the greeting of peace followed the prayers in the Church’s liturgy, which is also where it is placed in our liturgy.
Our greeting and blessing by shaking hands is a culturally adapted form of the “holy kiss.” Your pastor, because he is a curmudgeon, has moved the “passing of the peace” to before the Divine Service because it has a larger social role in our cultural setting.
If there is time, we will hear Justin Martyr’s description.
Final greetings in Paul’s own hand
Read 1 Corinthians 16:21-24
- How does this section differ from all the rest of 1 Corinthians? (vs. 21)
- How does Paul end with a “stick” and a “carrot”? (vs. 22-23)
“let him be accursed”: Paul uses the present-tense imperative voice. Paul isn’t simply stating what is, but also commanding it. This is Paul retaining the sins of the unrepentant, of those who “have (a present-tense verb) no love for the Lord.” This anathema is part of what Jesus commanded of His Apostles, when he also told them to retain sins (John 20:23).
“be with you”: Here, Paul uses no verb (“be” or “is”). He simply says, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with you.” This allows his benediction to have two functions. First, he is stating a reality: For those who are in Christ, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is with them. Second, since Paul is giving these words to the Corinthian Christians, he is also saying for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with them. They already have it—and yet it is also coming to them from Paul.
“love”: This is agape love, a self-giving, divine love. Pastor’s translation: “My [agape] love with all of y’all in Christ Jesus.” Paul doubles up by using “all” and the plural “you,” leaving no Christian without his blessing. And as above, the verb, “be” and “is,” is missing for the same reasons.
Click here if you would like to go to the first Lesson of 2 Corinthians.
