1 Corinthians 16:1-24 - Loving Support and Encouragement

1 Corinthians 16:1-24

Collection for the Saints

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

Personal Plans (cf. Acts 19:21)

5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). 6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.

8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

Final Exhortations

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.

15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— 16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

Greetings and a Solemn Farewell

19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.  21 The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

This letter ends with an ask of spiritual and monetary support for the ministry of the gospel with encouraging words of grace and love in Christ Jesus for the saints in Corinth and to the larger audience of all churches, including ours in the present day.  For meeting needs monetarily, Paul asked that everyone put aside their gifts ahead of time that they would not be missed or delayed by organizing a collection as he passed through on the way to distribute to those in need that Paul was taking them to.  We can equate this roughly to pledging a certain amount for missions or other special needs we identify so we know when it is due exa what we have to donate to the ministry and not miss any opportunities.  For spiritual support, Paul laid out his travel plans that he intended to follow bar any changes which the Lord might provide along the way according to the scriptural principle in Proverbs 16:9 and Proverbs 19:21 for allowing God to guide us while not ignoring our responsibility to make plans with the thought that if the Lord wills (James 4:15), we will do this or that as we serve God and man.  Paul made this clear when he said in verse 7 that he hoped to stay with them a while on the way “if the Lord permits.”  The apostle was very aware of the opposition to the gospel, especially in Ephesus, and asked for spiritual support in the form of prayers for the gospel to shine through this present darkness there (Galatians 1:4, Ephesians 6:18-19) because of the door of opportunity opened there by God for the gospel.  We likewise should watch and pray for the proclamation message of hope in spite of and in the face of opposition, both of others and our own as we have opportunity.  He also asked of prayer and honor to his fellow workers in the gospel, naming Timothy who was on his way and Apollos who was detained.  He summed up his encouragement by praying that the readers and hearers of this letter would remain watchful in these days and stand firmly on the rock of their faith in the immovable Christ that they might face opposition with spiritual strength and bravery.  This applies to all believers in every age as we labor in love (1 Peter 4:8, 10-11) in all we do for the Lord and each other.  We are to acknowledge and honor those who labor in the word of the gospel and also those who refresh and encourage those who are on the front lines.  May we greet each other as we meet in our travels among different churches as we realize we are all part of the true catholic church, not the Roman version, but the universal one consisting of all regenerated believers across the world who all are saints made holy in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  We are also warned of those enemies of Jesus Christ who do not love Him in word and truth of action nor the gospel, that such people face being accursed (anathema) for rejecting Him with promoting false gospels (Galatians 1:8-9) of empty hope and lies.  But God’s grace keeps we who are in Christ and His love as we experience in our love for one another as well.  This truly is a love letter to us encouraging Loving Support and Encouragement for the workers of the gospel and one another supporting them. Grace and peace to all who share in Him.  Amen!