1 Cor 16 – Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: 1 Cor 16:1-4

1 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

A. Find Out:

1. What subject does Paul now move on to? v.1a
2. What does he instruct them to do? v.1b
3. When does he encourage them to act? v.2a
4. What does he encourage them to do? v.2b
5. So what can happen? v.2c
6. How would it be dealt with? v.3,4

B. Think:

1. For what purpose was money being given?
2. On what basis was a person to give?
3. What does it teach us about the life of the church then?

C. Comment:

We are now given a rare insight into the life of the church. Paul often speaks about giving (see 2 Cor 8 & 9, Gal 2:10, Rom 15:25 -27, Acts 24:17) and it becomes clear that, because of the persecutions that took place, there were very real needs in the church in Jerusalem . He therefore encourages all the other churches to provide for them and that is obviously what is happening here.

He talks about the first day of the week, Sunday, when it seems the church came together (see also Acts 20:7) to remember Jesus together, on the day of resurrection instead of the old Jewish Sabbath. Therefore he says when you come together on that day put aside something each week so it mounts up and you don’t have to have one big special offering when I come.

We also see here that Paul was intending to come to Corinth again sometime soon and then perhaps go to Jerusalem himself (see his journeys in “Establishing and Expanding” in this Series). But what are the main lessons here? First, the church was a caring and sharing church. Are we? Second, they were a planning church, planning to meet the need in a substantial way. Do we? Third, they were an obedient church, following Paul’s instructions. Do we?

D. Application:

1. Do we care about the needs of others?
2. Do we purposefully give to meet those needs?

Passage: 1 Cor 16:5-12

5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you – for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I 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. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

10 When 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. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

12 Now 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.

A. Find Out:

1. Where was Paul intending to go? v.5
2. What did he want to do? v.6,7
3. Where was he at the moment? v.8a
4. What did he feel about that situation? v.8b,9
5. What instructions did he give about Timothy? v.10,11
6. What did he say about Apollos? v.12

B. Think:

1. Read Acts 19:1-22, 20:1,2 How does today’s passage fit this time?
2. What was Paul’s intention in respect of the Corinthian church?
3. What delayed him coming, so what did he do?

C. Comment:

Here we get further insight into the travels of Paul and some of the other apostolic men. Presumably written while on his third missionary journey (see Introduction and “Establishing and Expanding” in this Series), Paul is in Ephesus (see Acts 20) where he is having a much blessed time. For three months (Acts 20:8) Paul had opportunity to speak in the synagogue but when eventually rejected from there he carried on preaching and teaching in a nearby hall for the next two years! This was obviously a time of much blessing but it also evoked much opposition. Having established the church in Corinth on his previous journey (see Acts 18:1-18), when he had stayed for at least eighteen months, he has a desire to return to see them and help them, but he doesn’t want it to be a fleeting visit.

As he feels he has to make the most of the opportunity in Ephesus he decides to sent Timothy to them to encourage them (see Acts 19:22). He also wanted Apollos also to go but for some reason he hadn’t wanted to go at the moment. We see from this that there was no forcing men to go where they didn’t want to go, but simply working as a team in however it worked out best. This part of the letter shows us the “domestic arrangements” of the apostles.

D. Application:

1. The establishing of churches took time. Be patient.
2. Different people had different burdens. Respect them for it.

Passage: 1 Cor 16:13-24

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labours at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

19 The 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. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

A. Find Out:

1. What five instructions does Paul now give? v.13,14
2. What does he say about Stephanas? v.15,16
3. What had he done? v.17,18
4. Who sent greetings? v.19-21
5. What strong word does he give about unbelievers? v.22
6. Yet how does he conclude? v.23,24

B. Think:

1. How would you summarise his instructions in v.13,14?
2. What are we told all together about Stephanas?
3. What are we told about the church where Paul is?

C. Comment:

In his concluding words, Paul first of all exhorts in a number of ways: 1) Be on your guard – be watchful, 2) Stand firm – as you see the opposition that comes, hold on, 3) Be courageous – as you hold on and resist the enemy, don’t be intimidated or give way to fear, 4) Be strong – you will need strength to resist, 5) Do everything in love – don’t lose love in the battle, but maintain this essential characteristic in all you do.

Next, he speaks about the three men who had come from Corinth with news and questions. The leader was Stephanas who had been one of the first converts and had gone on to give himself to the work of the Lord, serving the others. This is the mark of a leader, not that he is appointed to a position, but that he is open hearted to the Lord so that he is a first responder and then a main server. Such a person brings blessing wherever he goes. 

Finally he brings greetings from churches that would be known to the Corinthians, and especially from Aquila and Priscilla who had once lived in Corinth (see Acts 18:1,2). The feel is of one part of the family greeting another part.

D. Application:

1. The Christian life is often a battle. Hold on! Persevere! Triumph! keep going in the face of difficulties.
2. Leaders go ahead, and are to be examples of responders to the Lord, and servants of the flock.