THE FINAL QUESTION. THE COLLECTION ON BEHALF OF GOD'S NEEDY PEOPLE (16:1-4). Illustrating the previous verse Paul now brings them down to practicalities. They had asked concerning the collecting of money for those in need. Well, this was one work of the Lord now to hand, the collecting of relief fu... [ Continue Reading ]
'Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do you.' We may assume that the Corinthian Church had heard about ‘the collection' Paul was bringing together for the poor saints in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:3), possibly in Paul's earlier letter,... [ Continue Reading ]
'On the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. And when I arrive, whoever you shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty to Jerusalem.' 'On the first day of the week.' From the earliest days of... [ Continue Reading ]
'And if it be meet for me to go also, they shall go with me.' And he assured them that if the situation was right and it proved suitable, and agreeable to them, he might himself accompany them. But there is no suggestion that the money be entrusted to him. It would have been foolish for him to lay... [ Continue Reading ]
'But I will come to you, when I shall have passed through Macedonia; for I pass through Macedonia.' He wanted them to know that he longed to visit them, and assured them that once he had passed through Macedonia, something which it was his intention to do, he would come to them again.... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL PROMISES THAT IF AT ALL POSSIBLE HE WILL SOON VISIT THEM BUT MEANWHILE ASKS THEM TO GIVE TIMOTHY A TRUE CHRISTIAN WELCOME, AND ASSURES THEM TOO OF APOLLOS' CONCERN FOR THEM (16:5-12). Paul knew the importance for the faithful in the assembly at Corinth of knowing when they might expect to see... [ Continue Reading ]
'But with you it may be that I will abide, or even winter, that you may set me forward on my journey wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you now by the way, for I hope to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.' Indeed his purpose was not only to visit them but also to stay with them for a... [ Continue Reading ]
'But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost, for a great door and effectual is opened to me, and there are many adversaries.' On the other hand things were going so well at Ephesus, in spite of the opposition there, that he felt that he must stay there until Pentecost. There was a huge opening the... [ Continue Reading ]
'Now if Timothy come, see that he is with you without fear, for he works the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me. For I expect him with the brothers ' He is also aware of the probability that Timothy wi... [ Continue Reading ]
'But as touching Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come to you with the brothers, and it was not at all his will to come now, but he will come when he shall have opportunity.' Meanwhile he lets them know that he had urgently asked Apollos to visit them, but that it had not yet proved poss... [ Continue Reading ]
'Watch you, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.' He pleads with them to be both men of strength and men of love. Strong against both what is within and without that would challenge their faith and their lives, and loving to all who are within.... [ Continue Reading ]
FINAL WORDS (16:13-24). Paul comes to the end of his letter with an exhortation. It has similarities to that in 1 Corinthians 15:58. This is then followed by a further exhortation to take note of their leaders and honour and obey them, and all who truly serve Christ, a commendation of them for send... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Now I beseech you, brethren (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such, and to every one who helps in the work and labours.' ‘Brethren (brothers and sisters).' His cons... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, for that which was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Acknowledge you therefore those who are such.' He wants them to know how much he has appreciated the coming of these three men as rep... [ Continue Reading ]
‘The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.' He then adds the salutations of the other churches, so that they might feel a oneness with them. All the church... [ Continue Reading ]
‘The salutation of me Paul with my own hand.' He finishes with his own salutation. He has now taken the pen in his own hand and adds this postscript in his own writing. This both guaranteed the genuineness of the letter and assured them of his personal concern and love (compare Galatians 6:11).... [ Continue Reading ]
‘If any man does not love the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha.' But he is so moved by the situation in the Corinthian church that he adds as his own comment, ‘If any man does not love the Lord, let him be accursed, for behold the Lord is coming.' In the end with all their spiritual manifestati... [ Continue Reading ]
‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.' He finishes with his conventional greeting, praying that the unmerited favour of the Lord Jesus Christ might continue to be with them, and unusually adds an expression of his own love for them all in Ch... [ Continue Reading ]