1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16  •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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1 Cor. 16 concludes the Epistle. (Ver. 1-4) There was a collection to be made for the poor saints at Jerusalem. Paul counsels systematic laying aside every first day of the week, according as God had prospered them; so that he might not have to call for a collection when he came (comp. 2 Cor. 8:2020Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: (2 Corinthians 8:20), as to this). A blessed rule for the saints at all times, but it is the work of each individual, in responsibility to the Lord, and has nothing to do with weekly collections at church-doors, or in boxes at the Lord’s Table. Then, when there is a special need any where, the money is always ready. Special men, approved by letters of commendation by the Assembly, were to take their gifts to Jerusalem. Paul himself might go with them. (Ver. 5-9) He hopes to see them sooner or later, but at present, till Pentecost, he will tarry at Ephesus, for there a great door was opened, though there were many adversaries. Thus an open door and many adversaries oft go together in the work of the Lord, a principle perhaps little thought of in these last days. (Ver. 10-18) Different laborers then are brought forward by name, viz., Timothy, Apollos, the household of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, all having their different spheres of labour in the Church of God. No sort of official rule is mentioned. Each was free to act according to his own gift, in responsibility to the Lord. If Timothy came, they were to receive him, and as he was young and naturally timid, they were to see that he should be amongst them without fear, and no man was to despise him. He had greatly desired Apollos to come to them, but the latter was not willing, no doubt fearing to add to the party feeling at Corinth, though Paul himself had not the slightest feeling of jealousy or fear about it. Apollos thus exerted his own independent will, in responsibility to the Lord, in refusing to go at the present moment, though he might at some future time. The apostle then no doubt thinking of the character of his brother, Apollos, as an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, and fervent in spirit (Acts 19:24-2824For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. (Acts 19:24‑28)); gives to the Corinthians a summary of what he thought Apollos’s ministry would have supplied. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong: at the same time warning them that all things be done in love. The household of Stephanas had all of them addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints. They were to submit themselves to such, as well as to every one who helped or laboured.
Though the Corinthians had, as an Assembly, forgotten Paul in his necessities, there were whole-hearted individual saints such as Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who had supplied what had been lacking on the part of the Corinthians; they were also to acknowledge such (Rom. 12:88Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:8)). Giving was a gift in the Assembly of no mean order. Grace on the part of Paul says, They have refreshed my spirit and yours. (Ver. 19) The Assemblies of Asia saluted them. It is to be remarked, that wherever Scripture talks of Assemblies in the plural, they are Assemblies in a province, never in a town (Acts 9:3131Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. (Acts 9:31); 1 Cor. 16:1, 191Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. (1 Corinthians 16:1)
19The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1 Corinthians 16:19); 2 Cor. 8:11Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; (2 Corinthians 8:1); Gal. 1:2, 222And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: (Galatians 1:2)
22And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ: (Galatians 1:22); Rev. 1:1111Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11)). An Assembly in a place is always in the singular, though they numbered many thousands, as at Jerusalem, and met in different rooms. So Paul addresses the Assembly of God at Corinth, &c.; but never Assemblies when it refers to a town. An attentive examination of these simple facts will help much to show the state of ruin of the Church in these days. (Ver. 20-24) The apostle ends up by binding them together in love, exhorting them to greet one another with an holy kiss, without suspicion, the only test being love to Christ. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. He prayed that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ might be with them, and sent his own love, as showing his own unfailing affection to his poor failing Corinthian children. Oh, that the grace and love, manifested in this great apostle may more and more fill our hearts, and, amid the failure, and ruin, and coldness, and self-satisfaction displayed in the saints all around us, may we be enabled to kindle the hidden spark of divine love in their hearts, by showing one another grace and love, the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ!