1 Corinthians 16:1-24
The Collection for God's People
1Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
Personal Requests
5After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
10If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11No one, then, should refuse to accept him. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.
12Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14Do everything in love.
15You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, 16to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it. 17I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
Final Greetings
19The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. 20All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
22If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!
23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
St. Paul writes the Corinthians about tithing and how he might visit them when he passes through Macedonia and Ephesus...He writes in real terms, about real issues...The letters that St. Paul writes are personal...Throughout all his epistles he always is teaching about Jesus, the love Jesus has for us, how He died for us, and the resurrection...He has just discussed in depth the very importance of Jesus resurrection, and how sad it would be for mankind if there was no resurrection...St. Paul had been been a believer since his conversion on the road to Damascus, where he met Jesus...Saul would be forever changed on that road (to Damascus)...
When it comes to tithing, he tells the Corinthians to do as he has instructed the Galatian churches...They should budget for their charitable giving...They should know what monies they need each week and, and should set aside an amount on the first day of every week for God's people...Then when he comes for the collection, having it been saved up, it will be there...The church has budgeted for, and the money would then be there...St. Paul is taking the money to Jerusalem...There may have been a famine in Jerusalem at that time, and St. Paul was collecting for this...
St. Paul says he will be traveling through Macedonia to Ephesus...He will try to stop in Corinth...Around these (and other regions) he says he has many people who oppose him...St. Paul was challenging Gentile and Jew to listen to the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection and then make a decision on the Messiah, before one would dismiss the LORD altogether...
St. Paul also says that Timothy may be coming and he asks that they greet him, because he is also carrying the work of the LORD...Paul thanks the Corinthians for their kindness to Stephanus, Achaicus and Fortunatus...These three have lifted both his spirit and their spirits...Apollos was urged by Paul to visit the Corinthians, but at the present time, he could not make it, but he will go when he has the opportunity...
The work of helping the poor is God's work and is a show of mercy...St. Paul was doing God's work...St. Paul was always helping his friends, and his churches to the destination of the eternal heaven...He wanted us to take the path of our LORD and His Father...St. Paul gives the great advice of: be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, and be strong...Do everything in love...
In closing St. Paul tells them, Aquila and Priscilla greet them warmly...They are to love the LORD, and those that do not love the LORD will be cursed...May the grace of the LORD be with you and may my love to all of you be in Jesus Christ...