College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
1 Corinthians 16 - Introduction
Butler's Comments
Chapter Sixteen
THE PROBLEM OF AIDING CHRISTIAN BRETHREN
IDEAS TO INVESTIGATE:
1.
Why were the saints to put something aside each first day of the week if Paul would not pick it up until 6 months later?
2.
What is prospering? What percentage of one's prosperity should he give to the Lord's work?
3.
Did Paul expect the Christians at Corinth to help him financially with his missionary work?
4.
Is there other aid, besides financial, called for in this chapter? What kind? Is that still relevant for the church today? How accomplished?
5.
What is a holy kiss? Would it be good to practice that now?
APPLICATIONS:
1.
Do you store up constantly, either literally or mentally, what you intend to give to the Lord's work?
2.
Do you deposit regularly (weekly or monthly) what you have stored up?
3.
What are the reasons for regular or systematic giving?
4.
Does your congregation try to get contributions by pressure tactics? What tactics does it use?
5.
Does it make any difference what methods are used to get offerings just so long as the church's needs are met? Why?
6.
Should the church be concerned about the administering of collections? How?
7.
What does your congregation think about the preacher's salary? How much should it be? Does he really work hard enough for it?
8.
What other ways may a congregation support those who are doing the work of the Lord (elders, deacons, Sunday School teachers, communion preparers, janitors, etc.)? Does your congregation? What can you do about it?
9.
Have you ever considered righteous living as being an aid to those who labor in the Lord's work?
10.
Do you think members of your church act like men? Why?
11.
Do the leaders in your congregation addict themselves to ministering to the members? Do they have difficulty getting people to follow their lead? Why?
12.
Do you agree with Paul, If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be damned? Why?
APPREHENSIONS:
1.
What is a contribution?
2.
How much should a Christian contribute?
3.
Why did Paul say to deposit their contributions on the first day of the week?
4.
Why were they sending the contribution to Jerusalem?
5.
Why did Paul invite himself to spend the winter in Corinth?
6.
Why did he insist they speed him on his journey?
7.
What were the Christians at Corinth to do for Timothy?
8.
What is standing firm in the faith?
9.
What is being courageous?
10.
Why should Christians be subject to men like Stephanas?
11.
How should we give recognition to such men?
12.
What is greeting one another with a holy kiss?
13.
Do the problems of Corinth still exist in the church today? Are the solutions Paul directed to Corinth workable in today's technological age? Why?
Applebury's Comments
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Analysis
A.
Paul gives orders about the collection for the saints and tells about his plans to visit the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 16:1-9).
1.
He gives orders for the collection for the saints (1 Corinthians 16:1-2 a).
a)
The order is the same as he gave to the churches in Galatia.
b)
They were to set aside the offering on the first day of every week.
c)
Each one was to have a part in it.
d)
Each one was to do as he might prosper.
2.
The reason for this procedure was to avoid gathering the offering when Paul came (1 Corinthians 16:2 b).
3.
He reminded them of some things to be taken care of when he came (1 Corinthians 16:3-4).
a)
Those who would be approved by the church were to be sent with letters to carry the offering to Jerusalem.
b)
If it should become fitting for Paul to go also, the brethren would go with him.
4.
He tells of his plans to visit Corinth (1 Corinthians 16:5-9).
a)
He planned to come after he had passed through Macedonia (1 Corinthians 16:5).
b)
He wanted to stay at Corinth through the winter and be helped on his way by them (1 Corinthians 16:6-7).
(1)
His plan to stay with them.
(2)
He didn-'t want to make a brief visit.
(3)
He hoped to stay a while if the Lord would permit.
c)
He was to remain at Ephesus until Pentecost (1 Corinthians 16:8-9).
(1)
A great and effectual door was open for him there.
(2)
Many adversaries were there too.
B.
Paul gives information about the plans and work of other workers of the Lord (1 Corinthians 16:10-18).
1.
He gives instruction about the visit of Timothy and Apollos (1 Corinthians 16:10-12).
a)
The church is told how to receive Timothy (1 Corinthians 16:10-11).
(1)
He is to be with them without fear.
(2)
He does the work of the Lord just as Paul does.
(3)
He is to be sent on his journey in peace.
(4)
Paul was expecting him with the brethren.
b)
He tells of his desire to have Apollos visit them (1 Corinthians 16:12).
(1)
He calls him Apollos the brother.
(2)
He had urged him to visit Corinth with the brethren.
(3)
It was not the will of Apollos to do so at that time but he would do so when he had opportunity.
2.
Paul gives direction for the guidance of the church (1 Corinthians 16:13).
a)
Watch ye.
b)
Stand fast in the Lord.
c)
Quit you like men.
d)
Let all that ye do be done in the Lord.
3.
Paul exhorts them concerning Stephanas (1 Corinthians 16:15-18).
a)
He reminds them that they know the house of Stephanas.
(1)
They were the firstfruits of Achaia.
(2)
They had set themselves to minister to the saints.
b)
He urges them to be in subjection to such and to all who help in the work.
c)
He tells of his joy at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus.
(1)
His rejoicing.
(2)
The cause: they supplied what was lacking on the part of the Corinthians.
(3)
They refreshed Paul's spirit and that of the Corinthians.
(4)
He asks that they be acknowledged.
C.
Paul writes the closing words of the epistle of the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:19-24).
1.
Salutations.
a)
The churches of Asia send their greetings.
b)
Aquila and Prisca together with the church in their house send greetings in the Lord.
c)
All the brethren send their greetings.
d)
Paul asks them to greet one another with a holy kiss.
e)
Paul writes his greeting with his own hand.
2.
A solemn warning: If any man does not love the Lord, let him be anathema.
3.
A prayer of hope: Our Lord, come.
4.
A gracious benediction: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
5.
An affectionate last word: My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Questions
1.
How does the subject matter of this chapter, introduced by the familiar now concerning, differ from that of the other Chapter s introduced by the same phrase?
2.
What was Paul's attitude toward the churches in Judea before his conversion?
3.
How did he feel about his Jewish brethren after he became a Christian?
4.
Why was he concerned for the saints in Judea?
5.
How did he propose to help them?
6.
What churches besides Corinth were asked to have a part in the matter?
7.
What rules did Paul lay down to govern the brethren in getting the money ready by the time he arrived?
8.
What precautions did he take to avoid criticism in handling the funds?
9.
Who was to select the one to carry the money to Jerusalem?
10.
How was Paul to cooperate in the matter?
11.
What were his plans for the journey to Corinth?
12.
Why was he going to go through Macedonia?
13.
How long did he plan to stay at Corinth?
14.
How were they to help him on his journey?
15.
Upon what condition did he make his plans?
16.
Did he carry them out as planned?
17.
Where was he when he wrote First Corinthians?
18.
Why did he plan to stay at Ephesus until Pentecost?
19.
What did he mean by the great and effectual door that was opened to him?
20.
What was his attitude toward the adversaries at Ephesus?
21.
Why did he mention Timothy and Apollos?
22.
What was his estimate of the person and work of Timothy?
23.
When did he expect Timothy to reach him?
24.
Why didn-'t Paul as an apostle order Apollos to go to Corinth?
25.
What was Apollos-' view of Paul's suggestion?
26.
What caused Paul to say, Watch ye, stand fast in the faith?
27.
Why did he add that they were to do all things in love?
28.
What did the Corinthians know about the house of Stephanas?
29.
Why did Paul say that they were the firstfruits of Achaia?
30.
What goal had they set for themselves?
31.
What was to be the attitude of the church toward such people?
32.
What was Paul's attitude toward the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus?
33.
What was lacking that they supplied?
34.
How had they refreshed the spirit of Paul and of the church?
35.
Why did Paul send the greetings of the churches of Asia to the church at Corinth?
36.
What was the connection of Aquila and Prisca with the church at Corinth?
37.
How did they happen to be at Ephesus?
38.
Where were they when last mentioned in Paul's letters?
39.
What is to be said of the church in their house?
40.
What is known of the buildings in which Paul preached?
41.
Why did he say to greet one another with a holy kiss?
42.
What is to be said of the importance of friendly, Christian greetings today?
43.
From what one is this greeting to be withheld?
44.
Why did Paul write his own greeting with his own hand?
45.
How account for the sudden recollection of those who do not love the Lord?
46.
What does Maranatha mean?
47.
Why didn-'t Paul translate the term?
48.
How could the church today make use of the meaning of this term in its conversation?
49.
With what thought did Paul begin and close the epistle?
50.
Why did he close the letter with an expression of his love?
For Discussion
1.
In the light of what Paul says in this chapter, how can the church avoid developing a spirit of selfishness?
2.
Recall those whom you know whose examples could be followed by all the church.
3.
What can be done today to further the cause of brotherly kindness and love in the churches?