Verses 1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 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.
The Apostle Paul was consistent and unwavering in his teachings to all of the churches he either started or he visited. The people were to every week set aside whatever the LORD lead them to save so that resources could be sent to Jerusalem and to other churches who had needs. This collection or money was to be gathered for the relief of the poor. The first day of the week for the early Church was today’s Sunday as the Jewish sabbath went from Friday evening to Saturday evening and marked the end of the week. The Apostle Paul was not like today’s televangelists who beg for money every week on their television programs. He did not want any collection to be made when he came to minister to them, but wanted the collection to already be taken and ready to send so that the Corinthians would do this on their own and not because he was in their presence.
Verses 3-4 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.
The Apostle Paul was very wise. He wanted the Corinthian church to choose a person to whom they would entrust the collection and this person or person’s would take the collection to the Church’s headquarters in Jerusalem. That way, he could never be accused of pocketing money from the church.
Verses 5-7 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. 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.
Travel in the days of the early Church was difficult and dependent upon the weather, especially if traveling by sea. Ships and their cargo, passengers, and land travelers needed to find a safe place to stay during winter and then they would resume their travels in the spring. Here the Apostle Paul is stating that he hopes to be able to spend the coming winter with the Corinthians if the LORD allows him to do so.
Verses 8-9 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
Pentecost was usually in May or early June and so the Apostle Paul was planning to remain in Ephesus until at least mid-summer. Apparently his work and ministry was bearing fruit in Ephesus.
Verses 10-11 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. 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.
The Apostle Timothy was a “half breed” as he had a Jewish mother but a Greek father. Therefore at times he was not viewed favorably by the Jews or by the Gentiles as he was not fully Jewish or fully Greek. The Apostle Paul is pointing out that Timothy was doing the same work for the LORD Jesus Christ as was he and therefore cautioning the Corinthian church to treat Timothy with respect and as a servant of God.
Verse 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.
Application: The apostles in the early Church did not just do what they wanted, when they wanted, and how they wanted. They prayed about any plans and waited for the leading of the Holy Ghost/Spirit before they did anything.
Verses 13-16 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14 Let all your things be done with charity. 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.
The Apostle Paul give the command to “watch”. The Greek word translated as “watch” is “gregoreuo” and it means to watch, to give strict attention to, to be cautious, active, and to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one. Christian believers need to constantly be watching that they remain true to the Faith and that they remain obedient to the commandments of the LORD. They must do everything with an attitude of love. They must be submissive to those that the LORD places in their church or their lives that are there to help them grow in the Faith.
Application: The true, converted Christian is always at war with three enemies: the flesh, the world, and the Devil. Any one of these or all of them can become stumbling blocks to a believer’s walk with the LORD. It does not take too many skips of Sunday church meetings to become lazy and then find excuses to not attend a worship service. It does not take too many days of not reading the Bible for a habit to be formed where a believer relies on radio evangelists or their pastor to read the Word of God to them. It does not take too many days of failure to pray and communicate with the LORD for a believer to be in a position where there just is never any time to pray.
Verses 17-18 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.
The name, Stephanas, means “crowned”. The name, Fortunatus, means “well freighted”. The name, Achaicus, means “belonging to Achaia”. All three of these men were from the Corinthian church and apparently they came to Paul with money or some other gifts that bolstered the Apostle Paul’s spirit.
Verses 19-21 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. 21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
Although during the times of the early Church there were no real conveniences as far as communication other than hand written letters, the churches in various parts of the different countries were kept informed about other churches through the traveling apostles, evangelists and others who were engaged in ministry in some form.
Verse 22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
Anathema means a person or thing doomed to destruction or a person who is accursed. All people who fail to love the LORD Jesus Christ will be doomed to destruction and are under a curse. The word, Maranatha, means our LORD cometh or will come.
Verses 23-24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timotheus. (1 Corinthians 16)
The Apostle Paul ends this epistle or letter with his signature statement, “the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you.”