1 Corinthians 16:1-2

(1 Corinthians 16:1-2)

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  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. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me. 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 ye 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. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.  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.  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. 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.  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.  Let all your things be done with charity.  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,)  That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.  I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.  For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye 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 brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.  The salutation of me Paul with mine 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.

 

The first part is from verses 1 to 4, which is about donations. The Corinthian Church says in detail about "giving money". 『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. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.』

 

The church specifically taught the timing of offerings, methods of giving, and the use of offerings. First, the saints donate each day on the first day of the week, that is, on the Sunday, and prepare and collect the donations in advance. The method of donation was said to be "Each of you according to income." The apostle Paul introduced the work of the poor church members of the local churches of Macedonia, including the Galatians, to first give themselves to the Lord and loyal contributions according to the will of God. Paul said: In 2 Corinthians 8:12, "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. .』

The people of the Corinthian Church were reluctant to "donation." They were also suspicious of Paul's "give a donation." They were uncomfortable about why Paul asked to donate and how to deliver the donation to the Jerusalem Church. So, Paul said of donation, "with those whom the Saints of the Corinthians acknowledged, along with reliable letters," to direct to the brothers of the Church of Jerusalem in trouble and suffering.

 

He visited a long distance at risk, sharing the love and interests of those who donated and sharing them. Jerusalem is in a difficult situation of the colony, and Corinth is a commercial city, rich in wealth and prosperity. To help the Corinthian church to help the poor and suffering church, donating was born out of a loving heart to properly teach and build the Corinthian church.

 

The second part is from verses 5 to 8, about the apostle Paul's work schedule. 『For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. .” Paul visited Macedonia, where he spent the winter, and how long he stayed in Ephesus. The apostle Paul was in a difficult situation at that time due to poor traffic conditions and church work in various regions. Paul did not want to pass briefly to Corinth, but he wanted to stay for a while and solve unfamiliar stories and misunderstandings.

 

However, Paul believed that it was the Lord who led his schedule. Also, although the schedule may or may not work as planned, the apostle Paul takes the attitude of completely entrusting the results of his plan to God with the attitude of “If the Lord allows”. Even if he had his own plans or wishes, he had the attitude of thinking the Lord's will first and accepting the situation. In James 4:15, "For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 』

 

The third part is about Paul's co-workers, spiritual leaders leading the Corinthian Church. First, it is about Timothy. 『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. 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.』 When Timothy went to the church at Corinth, Paul was well aware that the church was not in a position to greet him.

 

The Corinthian church was divided into several sects, fighting and holding each other apart. Some were very proud of their economic wealth and spiritual gifts. And it wasn't easy to acknowledge Paul's discipleship and young Timothy's leadership. Paul encourages Timothy to respect him and to consider fearless work. "He is the one who works for the Lord's work as well as me." Although Timothy is young and lacks experience, he is the same as himself, engaged in the Lord's work, with the same authority, and working for the Lord's work. We can see the apostle Paul's attitude toward his co-workers. Even though he is a young pastor, he also respects that he is God's worker who is called by God and used in the kingdom of God.

 

The following is the news of Apollo. 『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. .』There was a group in the Corinthian church that loved Apollo, and there was a request for Apollo to come quickly. However, Apollo was a wise man, and he did not want to be a party to the conflict and division. As we saw in Chapter 12, "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Apollo could be seen as a competitor of the Apostle Paul. However, the Apostle Paul recommended Apollo to the Corinthian Church for the Corinthian Church, and he rejected it. The apostles did not compete with each other, and they cooperated for the comfort of the Saints and for the good of the Church.

 

In addition, Paul gave special greetings and invitations to the families of Stephen, who had been especially hard-working in the Church. 『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,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth .I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and your's: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such..』

 

The region of Agaia refers to the Greek region where Corinth was located, with the first converts of Stephen's family, who were especially dedicated to serving the Saints. The family made the apostle Paul's heart cool, and the classmates cool. So, the Apostle Paul counseled the members of the Corinthian Church: to admit and respect those who, like Stephen, obey “the ones who serve the Saints, labor hard for the gospel, and support and help the ministers of Christ”Finally, Paul concludes the book by saying to love the Lord. 『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. .』