We have come to the end of our six-month journey through 1 Corinthians. As I have mentioned, next week, Fridays will be devoted to sharing information about the Muslim faith, for our understanding and for evangelism.
1 Corinthians 16 begins with reference to the collection of the saints. This is the only place where Paul refers to the contribution as a “collection.” He also refers to it as “fellowship,” “service,” “grace,” “blessing,” and “divine service.” This contribution was dedicated to the poor saints in Jerusalem, suffering from a famine (2 Cor. 8-9; Rom. 15:25-32; Gal. 2:9-10) but the contribution, in the first century, was also used for supporting preachers (1 Cor. 9) and widows (1 Tim. 5).
When the Christians assembled on the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:10; Acts 20:7), to take the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20), Paul tells them to contribute from their finances as well. It was the ideal time, in a world without an established banking system, checks, or digital transfers, for Christians to give into the common church treasury. They were to do this on the first day of the week and each Christian was to do this. Also, it was to be done “as he may prosper.” The NIV translates this phrase: “in keeping with his income.”
Paul encouraged Corinth to send faithful men with the contribution and he might go with them if things were to work out that way.
Speaking of travel plans, Paul discusses his. He would stay in Ephesus, where he wrote this letter, until Pentecost, springtime (16:8). He would travel in the summer and fall, passing through Macedonia, probably visiting churches there, before he arrived in Corinth. God had opened a door, a wide door, of opportunity for him and he would take advantage of it.
Timothy might visit Corinth (vs 10-11) and Apollos would, when he could (vs 12).
Kamagra cialis online cheapest 100 mg helps in the improvement of potency and erection. In many cases, the reasons that make gallbladder inflamed and filled with additional info cialis without prescription stones did not disappear. It is a by-product of the male hormone known as viagra on line testosterone. Your online consultation generic in uk viagra will establish what other medical problems men may have.
In verse 13, Paul begins concluding his letter with a series of imperatives. There are an even 100 commands in the letter of 1 Corinthians and thirteen of them are in this last chapter. Christians are to stay alert to the temptations and deceits of the devil. We are to stand firm in “the” faith, the Gospel message that produces faith in our hearts. We must “act like men” – that is, be courageous. We should “be strong” in the Lord Jesus and everything we do should be done in love.
Paul then encourages the Christians to imitate the faith of men like Stephanus (whom he baptized, 1:16), Fortunatus, and Achaicus. They were courageous, strong, giving, and refreshing.
Finally, as so often he did, Paul concludes by sharing greetings. The churches of Asia Minor with whom Paul was acquainted sends their greetings as does his friends and co-workers, Aquila and Priscilla including the church which met in their house. Paul challenges the Christians to keep their salutations “holy.” He signs his own name, which he did in all his letters (cf. 2 Thess. 3:17).
Finally, he wishes them grace from Jesus Christ and expresses his own love for them.
How should we live “cross-culturally” in light of the teachings of this chapter? We should give for the spread of the gospel. We should live in the gospel. We should love by the gospel. Until Jesus comes again, for which event we ought to pray earnestly.
Paul Holland
