We come now to Paul’s closing remarks and greetings for this letter. It closes in typical Pauline fashion with brief remarks, personal greetings, and messages passed along from/to friends, plus a closing in Paul’s own handwriting.

Following Christ in 21st Century Corinth – Week 24

presented 27 March 2019

1 Corinthians 16: 1-24

AUDIO

Lecture Handout

Handout Week 24

Lesson Notes

Collection for the Saints (1 Corinthians 16: 1-4)

  • Verse 1 – “Now Concerning…” – introduces yet another answer to a question the Corinthians had asked Paul in their letter to him
    • Paul had been asking the Christians throughout the area to contribute financially to the relief of the poor Christians in Jerusalem
    • Paul says he’s giving the same plan he gave the Galatian churches -weekly set aside of money on Sundays (the first day of the week)
    • Likely an indicator that Sunday worship was already the norm of the church by this time (about 51 AD)
  • Verse 2 – “Each of you” – Paul’s directive to set aside and give is to all Christians, but in proportion to what they have
    • No set amount or percentage, but all are called to give something
    • No need to do a collection when Paul arrives
  • Verses 3-4 – The church can choose who will be responsible for carrying the gift to Jerusalem -> Paul will send them on, and may go with them (he will)
    • 2 Corinthians 9 provides more context – it’s written about a year later
    • A call for generosity for those caring for the most vulnerable far away
    • Today we can project enormous life impact to the other side of the world for very small dollars – Feed My Starving Children, Compassion International, World Vision, etc.

Paul’s Travel Plans (1 Corinthians 16: 5-11)

  • Verse 5 – Paul’s future plans to visit
    • Actually happens in Acts 20: 1-6, after some delay
  • Verses 6-7 – Paul knows to hold his plans loosely – God directs his travels
    • God can override our preferences any time -> do we let Him or do we resist?
  • Verses 8-9 – Paul will stay in Ephesus
    • A wide door for effective ministry + many adversaries!
    • A common combination!
    • As pastors and apostles, we go where called and stay until told – God’s will
    • A good lesson for all of us – regardless of our preferences, to focus on doing fruitful work even, or especially, if there is opposition
  • Verses 10-11 – Treat Timothy well!
    • Important since they weren’t exactly loving Paul at that moment and Timothy was Paul’s Fixer

Various Instructions (1 Corinthians 16: 12-18)

  • Verse 12 – “Now concerning…” – probably the final item addressed from their letter to Paul
    • Apollos – very popular speaker in Corinth – was requested by the people
    • He was a friend of Paul’s, though Corinthians viewed him as a rival
    • An example where good  Christians can disagree – Paul wanted him to visit Corinth and either Apollos or God didn’t want that
  • Verse 13 – A series of short parallel warnings for emphasis
    • Be watchful – threats and adversaries are both outside and inside the Corinthian church, as we’ve read in previous weeks
      • Be wary of false teachers and divisions
    • Stand firm in the faith – the culture will oppose our faith and encourage
      • There will be internal divisions, as in Corinth – we need to love through them
      • Stand strong anyway!
    • Act like men
      • Leave behind your immaturity – the divisions, pettiness, factionalism, classism, etc.
      • Act with the virtues of courage, fidelity, strength in the face of opposition, in obedience to God and confidence in His power
    • Be strong
  • Verse 14 – Let all you do be done in love – Paul returns to the critical point of chapter 13
    • Love isn’t the definition of all good things, rather do all good things in love
    • If we do good things without love, that’s just the gonging bell or noisy cymbal
    • 1 Corinthians 13 – Love is what’s eternal, love defeats division, love is superior to all spiritual gifts
  • Verses 15-16 – Voluntary submission within the church to leaders
    • 1 Clement says the first converts in Corinth were appointed as pastors and deacons
  • Verses 17-18 – Encourage, encourage!

Greetings (1 Corinthians 16: 19-24)

  • Verse 19 – Greetings from the churches in Asia – today’s Turkey – where Paul was in Ephesus
    • Aquila and Priscilla – the couple Paul met in Corinth and who straightened out Apollos when his theology was lacking were also in Ephesus
    • Acts 18: 1-4, 18-28
    • Hosting a church in their house
  • Verse 20 – Greeting with the holy kiss – a cultural custom
    • Not really required for us because the kiss is overly familiar in our culture
    • This is one of those things where you evaluate the action in terms of culture then and now
    • For us, genuine welcome looks more like a holy hearty handshake or hug
  • Verse 21 – Paul takes over to write the last bit in his own handwriting – it provides a mark of authenticity and reinforces his final point on love
  • Verse 22 – Love for the Lord – have it or be damned – literally!
    • And a burning desire for Christ to return – how’s our fire???
  • Verse 23 – God’s grace be with them
  • Verse 24 – Paul’s love be with them as well

Next week: Ask Anything April