1Corinthians 16:1
Outline:
I. \\#1:1-4:21\\ In Answer to Chloe’s Report
II. \\#5:1-6:20\\ In Answer to Common Reports
III. \\#7:1-15:58\\ In Answer to the Church’s Requests
A. \\#7:1-40\\ Counsel Concerning Marriage
B. \\#8:1-10:33\\ Meat Offered to Idols
C. \\#11:2-16\\ God’s Authority
1. \\#2-3\\ God’s Authority over Others
2. \\#4-6\\ God’s Authority Displayed
3. \\#7-16\\ God’s Authority Explained
D. \\#11:17-34\\ Abuse with the Lord’s Supper
E. \\#12:1-14:40\\ Spiritual Gifts
1. \\#12:1-3\\ Marks of the Holy Ghost
2. \\#12:4-11\\ Lessons about the Holy Ghost
3. \\#12:12-26\\ Believers, like gifts, Are Many, Different,
and one
4. \\#12:27-31\\ See Among Yourselves
5. \\#13:1-13\\ The Better Way
(a) \\#1-3\\ The Missing Ingredient
(b) \\#4-8\\ Characteristics of Love
(c) \\#8-13\\ All Gifts Will Cease
6. \\#14:1-40\\ Tongues Is Not the Best Gift
(a) \\#1-25\\ Prophecy Is the Better Gift
(1) \\#1-4\\ Three Commands, Two Reasons
(2) \\#5\\ Paul’s Conclusion
(3) \\#6-25\\ The Problems with Tongues (as the
Corinthians were practicing the gift)
i. \\#6\\ Tongues did not profit the church.
ii. \\#7-20\\ Tongues had no meaning.
iii. \\#21-25\\ Tongues was for the lost.
(b) \\#14:26-40\\ Tongues Should Be Practices Properly
F. \\#15:1-58\\ The Resurrection
1. \\#15:1-34\\ The Resurrection Demanded
a. \\#15:1-11\\ Since the gospel requires a resurrection
of Jesus, there must be a resurrection.
b. \\#15:12-19\\ Since our faith is useless without a
resurrection, there must be a resurrection.
c. \\#15:20-28\\ Since Christ was but the firstfruits of
the resurrection, there must be a resurrection.
d. \\#15:29-34\\ Since some were baptized for the dead,
there must be a resurrection.
2. \\#15:35-57\\ The Resurrection Explained
a. \\#15:35-49\\ Questions about the Resurrection Answered
b. \\#15:50\\ The Truths that Necessitate the Resurrection
3. \\#15:58\\ The Ramifications of the Resurrection
IV. \\#16:1-24\\ Conclusion
A. \\#16:1-4\\ Counsel Concerning the Collection for Jerusalem
B. \\#16:5-24\\ Paul’s Closing
I. \\#16:1-4\\ Counsel Concerning the Collection for Jerusalem
A. The "collection" being gathered was for the saints at Jerusalem.
1Cor 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the
saints, as I have given order to the churches of
Galatia, even so do ye.
3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall
approve by your letters, them will I send to
bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
1. God had first revealed that a great famine throughout the
whole earth would come while Paul was still called Saul
and ministered in Antioch with Barnabas.
Acts 11:28 And there stood up one of them named
Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there
should be great dearth throughout all the world:
which came to pass in the days of Claudius
Caesar.
29 Then the disciples, every man according to his
ability, determined to send relief unto the
brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders
by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
2. Both men immediately felt a need to help the saints at
Jerusalem, perhaps feeling that the Gentiles owed a debt
to the Jews for being the nation that birthed the
Messiah and that perhaps such an offering would open the
door so that they might minister to the unsaved Jews as
well.
3. Paul spoke of the collection:
a. In this book where he also mentioned discussing it
at Galatia, located in Asia Minor, where Paul spend
his first missionary journey.
b. \\#2Cor 9:1-15\\
c. \\#Romans 15:24-27\\
(1) There he mentioned Macedonia which would include
Philippi, Thessalonica, and other cities which
Paul passed through.
(2) And Achaia which is the region where Corinth was.
d. From Acts 11 (perhaps around 45 AD) and from before
Paul’s first missionary journey to Paul’s letter to
Rome (perhaps around 57 AD) at near the of Paul’s
third missionary journey, it is obvious that this
collection was a labor of love and effort for the
Apostle Paul.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-47/
apostle-paul-and-his-times-christian-history-timeline.html
B. \\16:1\\ Paul encouraged this church, as he had encouraged the
church at Galatia, to give to this offering.
1. Perhaps Paul mentioned Galatia to let the Corinthians know
that theirs was not the only church he had encouraged to
give to this offering.
2. This might also indicate some reluctance or tardiness to
give on the part of the Corinthians—which will be
confirmed in Paul’s later letter.
C. Paul’s Instructions:
1Cor 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let
every one of you lay by him in store, as God
hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings
when I come.
1. Related to tithing: This passage has nothing to do with
tithing but a special offering for a specific need.
a. The issue of tithing is debated among some within the
church.
b. Paul will deal with giving more in the letter we call
2 Corinthians.
c. Suffice it to say that while the title is not a
commandment in the church age (we are under grace not
law), it is none-the-less a part of worship.
(1) Those who do not tithe are less likely to take
that position in defense of God’s grace than
they are their own greed.
(2) Just as surely as the temple and priests of the
Old Covenant were kept and maintained by the
tithes of the Old Testament worshippers, so the
ministers and churches are kept and maintained by
the tithes of the New Testament worshippers.
(3) Yet for those who do not wish to give, they
should not.
(a) God NEEDS no man’s money.
(b) He is more than able to provide for His own
by other means.
(c) Let both the blessings and the rewards of
giving be to those who do so out of love
and with joy.
2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in
his heart, so let him give]; not grudgingly, or
of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2. The offering should be gathered "on the first day of the
week," indicating that the believers met regularly on
the first day of the week.
a. They may have met more, perhaps daily; but since the
first day of the week was mentioned, it is reasonable
to assume this was their most routine day to meet.
Ac 16:5 And so were the churches established in
the faith, and increased in number daily.
(1) The first day of the week is Sunday.
(2) The church has continued to meet on the first day
of the week as a celebration of the resurrection
of our Lord:
Mr 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first
day of the week, he appeared first to Mary
Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
Ac 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when
the disciples came together to break bread, Paul
preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow;
and continued his speech until midnight.
(3) The church may have also worshipped on the first
day of the week to leave and to separate the
worship of the risen Savior from the worship of
the Jews, who had only symbols and types with
which to worship \\#Heb 9:7, 10:4\\.
b. There is a movement by some today to take the church
back into the confines of the Law and Sabbath
worship, but this issue has been Biblically exposed
as legalistic foolishness:
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat,
or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of
the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the
body is of Christ.
c. It was this very type of ritual from which the grace
of Jesus has set us free.
Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another
man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or
falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is
able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another:
another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man
be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto
the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to
the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth,
eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks;
and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth
not, and giveth God thanks.
3. "as God hath prospered him"
a. All of the believers’ giving should be based not on a
percentage but on their prosperity, not due to the
Old Testament law but God’s leadership in grace.
b. For myself, I adhere to the Biblical precept:
Romans 5:20 …But where sin abounded, grace did
much more abound:
c. God has blessed us too much to give a mere tithe.
4. "that there be no gatherings when I come"
a. Paul wanted the church to collect this offering
immediately, so that when he came, it would be ready
to send. Perhaps it was already needed.
b. Based on Paul’s comments in 2 Corinthians 8-9, it
would appear that they did not open this command.
5. \\#3-4\\ Select someone to take the offering to Jerusalem.
1Cor 16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall
approve by your letters, them will I send to
bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go
with me.
a. Obviously, Paul had not carried the offering with him
all these years.
b. It was mostly likely sent to the church at Jerusalem
to be distributed.
c. Paul desired to go with the men who carried the funds,
but did not commit himself, not knowing what the Lord
had in store for him.
(1) By this statement, it would seem that Paul was
considering making Corinth his last stop.
(2) Looking at a map, Corinth is at the southern tip
of the land masses Paul had visited before; and
from there, he could easily catch a ship and
sail due east back to Jerusalem.
(3) However, a plot of the Jews against was made
known to him \\#Acts 20:3\\, so that instead of
sailing back from Corinth, Paul retraced the
journey he had just made all the way back to
its midpoint before sailing back toward
Jerusalem from \\#Acts 20:17-38\\.
II. \\#16:5-24\\ Closing
A. \\#5-9\\ Paul’s Travel Plans
1Cor 16:5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall
pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through
Macedonia.
1. Paul was on his third missionary journey, having
started the church at Corinth on his second.
2. It is believed by some, and this seems to indicate it to
be so, that he had not yet arrived in Macedonia; but was
still at Ephesus, where he planned to stay until after
Pentecost (spring).
1Co 16:8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until
Pentecost.
9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto
me, and there are many adversaries.
3. He wanted to stay at Ephesus because there was a great
opportunity before him; but at the same time, there was
a strong resistance against the work of Christ.
(a) His plans were changed when Demetrius, the silver-
smith, caused a city-wide insurrection against the
Christians and so Paul left \\#Acts 19:1-20:1\\.
(b) I find it very interesting that the Apostle Paul did
not know HOW and WHEN or WHERE God would lead him.
(c) His life, like ours, required him to seek God’s face
daily for guidance and providence.
4. But it was Paul’s intent to visit the churches in Macedonia.
1Cor 16:6 And it may be that I will abide, yea,
and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my
journey whithersoever I go.
7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I
trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord
permit.
a. Paul had stayed at Ephesus for two years
\\#Acts 19:10\\, and wanted to stay until after
Pentecost.
b. But he felt the time for him to move on was at hand;
and knowing the needs of this church, he thought he
might spend the winter—or at least some significant
time—with them.
(1) Of course, they had not yet received this letter
with his corrections and admonitions.
(2) I suspect his plan might hinge on their reaction
for there is no record of any other church
having the needs that this church had.
B. \\#10-12\\ Paul’s Travel Team
1. \\#10-11\\ Timothy - He will most likely come soon.
1Cor 16:10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he
may be with you without fear: for he worketh the
work of the Lord, as I also do.
a. Paul was planning to send Timothy with this letter:
and as far as we know, he did.
1Co 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you
Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in
the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of
my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every
where in every church.
b. Paul was concerned about how the church might treat
Timothy, especially as he carried this strong letter
to the church. Timothy was to represent Paul and
Christ, which is not an easy thing to do among those
who want to keep their sins.
c. Paul’s commands concerning Timothy:
(1) Don’t attempt to intimidate or frighten him.
(a) Paul was aware that the Corinthians’
reaction could have been violent.
(b) He reminded them that Timothy was a man of
God, doing the work of God as Paul did.
(c) All the commands about Timothy speak of the
respect that Paul expected them to show to
Timothy.
1Cor 16:11 Let no man therefore despise him: but
conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto
me: for I look for him with the brethren.
(2) Do not despise Timothy.
(3) When it is time for Timothy to depart, send him
away in peace.
(a) Paul apparently did not expect Timothy to
stay at Corinth for long as he seems to
have already given him his next assignment;
that was to meet him and others at a
pre-appointed but not mentioned location.
(b) Paul expected that his letter would either
be received and obeyed or rejected and
disobeyed quickly.
(c) If it were the latter, he also expected he
would have to be the one who would visit
Corinth in person to attempt to set things
straight—and according to 2 Corinthians,
that is what happened.
2. \\#12\\ Apollos
a. Apollos was mentioned earlier, and Paul knew that he
was well respected by some of the Corinthians:
1Co 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you
saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of
Cephas; and I of Christ.
b. Apollos had spent some time at Corinth, and this is
the seventh time his name is mentioned in this book.
Ac 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos
was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the
upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain
disciples,
c. But Apollos did not feel he should go to Corinth at
this time.
1Cor 16:12 As touching our brother Apollos, I
greatly desired him to come unto you with the
brethren: but his will was not at all to come at
this time; but he will come when he shall have
convenient time.
d. The fact that Paul could give this report of Apollos
indicates that the two were together at the time Paul
wrote this epistle, probably at Ephesus.
IV. \\#13-14\\ Paul’s Exhortation - These commands as sure as any
others but, as they are not controversial commands, they are
written into the closing.
1Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith,
quit you like men, be strong.
14 Let all your things be done with charity.
A. \\#13\\ "Watch" - Watch out for the devil, sin, and the flesh.
We dare not go to sleep for we are in a spiritual battle.
B. "Stand fast in the faith." - Stand securely in faith.
1. Don’t let the things you see knock you off the foundation
of faith
2. The letter Paul wrote made it clear that Corinth was carnal
and had been easily knocked out of the race of
righteousness, but all Christians are carnal by birth so
are subject to the same end.
3. So this command is to us as well.
C. quit… like men" - How do men quit? If they are the right
kind of men, they don’t. The command might be reversed to
say, "Stay with it until you are victorious!"
D. "be strong."
1. Paul’s command is not to be strong in the flesh.
2. He completed his entire thought in Ephesians:
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord, and in the power of his might.
3. We are to have the Lord’s strength by being the kind of
people God wants us to be.
E. \\#14\\ Do all things with love.
1. But the commands to be strong, faithful, and diligent do
not give us the right to be hard, harsh, and abusive.
2. All of God’s people are to be tempered with love, mercy,
and grace.
V. \\#15-2\\ Paul’s Farewell - Paul mentioned five people by name,
people either at Corinth or with him, as he bid the Corinthians
farewell.
A. \\#15-18\\ Stephanas
1Cor 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the
house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of
Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to
the ministry of the saints,)
16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to
every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
1. Stephanas, and his family, labored tirelessly, "addicted
themselves," in the ministry of caring for the saints.
2. We are not told what kind of ministry he had, but it seems
likely to have been that of leadership for Paul commanded
in \\#16\\ that the people "submit" to him.
3. Stephanas was either from Corinth or at Corinth for Paul
baptized him at Corinth:
1Co 1:16 And I baptized also the household of
Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized
any other.
4. It would appear that Stephanas, like so many others, felt
the call of salvation was the call to service and as a
servant, may have travelled to other locations. Yet,
Paul was thankful that God had brought him back to
Corinth at that time to help them in their spiritual
struggles:
1Co 16:17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas
and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was
lacking on your part they have supplied.
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours:
therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
5. Stephanas’ name is also mentioned in the subscription:
«The first epistle to the Corinthians was written
from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and
Achaicus and Timotheus.»
a. However it is generally accepted that these closing
remarks, behind and separated from several Bible
books, are not part of the Holy Scripture; but were
added at some later time.
b. As such, I do not put any stock in and feel they have
been proven wrong in several cases.
B. \\#17-18\\ Also mentioned as helping to lead the church are
Fortunatus and Achaicus.
1. This is the only place in the Bible these men are
mentioned.
2. They were probably men attempting to lead this
congregation but having difficulty doing so.
a. It would appear that this church often disrespected
even Paul.
b. How much more so those who were from among them and
likely had no supernatural abilities that might mark
them as God’s leaders?
c. Yet, there is no record that even Paul or God Himself
ever judged this church supernaturally.
3. Paul was encouraging the church to voluntarily submit
itself to those who God had placed there to lead them.
C. \\#19\\ Aquila and Priscilla
1Cor 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you.
Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord,
with the church that is in their house.
1. A husband and wife team, originally from Italy but run out
for their faith \\#Acts 18:1-2\\.
2. They ministered in Corinth \\#Acts 18:18-19\\ and went
with Paul to Ephesus to minister there.
3. They stayed at Ephesus, which is where we think Paul wrote
this letter from, and so Paul sent them their greetings.
4. Aquila and Priscilla were still at Ephesus, hosting the
local church there, when Paul wrote his last epistle to
Timothy for Paul asked Timothy to give them his regards:
2 Timothy 4:19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the
household of Onesiphorus.
VI. \\#21-22\\ Paul’s Final Command
1Cor 16:21 The salutation of me Paul with mine
own hand.
22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ,
let him be Anathema Maranatha.
A. \\#21\\ Paul took quill in hand to write these last words.
1. That was not uncommon for he always did so.
2Thess 3:17 The salutation of Paul with mine own
hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I
write.
2. However, Paul especially wanted this last command to in
his own hand; for it would be harsh; and he wanted the
people to know it was he who had said it.
B. The command was if anyone did not love Jesus—and I take it
that if they did not love Jesus enough to obey Jesus—they
should be separated from and cursed until the Lord returns.
1. The two words are not translated but transliterated from
their original languages, Syrian and Greek respectively.
2. God’s method of dealing with those intent on rejecting God
and His commandments, is to separate from them and let
God deal with them, not to supernaturally judgment them,
although God has been known to do that as well
\\#Acts 5:1-11\\.
C. Paul thought some in the church might reject what he had
written and thus was warning them what would ultimately
happen if they continued to disobey.
1. This was not something he expected the leaders whom he
had mentioned would do, or even Timothy, who was to carry
the letter to them.
2. This is something that he would do when he came if it was
necessary.
VI. \\#23-24\\ Paul’s Final Words
A. They were words of love and help for this is what he desired
for this wayward church.
1Cor 16:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
B. He closed with the prayer that God’s grace would work among
them and that his love would be recognized by them.
May it so be in every church.
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