But now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. - Romans 15:25-26
This morning we will move into the last chapter of 1 Corinthians. We will discuss most of it in today’s message and finish up with the last few verses next week. In this chapter Paul will:
Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 16 and let’s begin.
I. THE COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS (1 Cor. 16:1-4)
During his 3rd missionary journey, Paul took up a collection from the various Gentile churches that he visited. This money was to be given to the poor Christians in Jerusalem who had recently undergone a severe famine and were also suffering under heavy persecution from the Jews. Paul promoted this offering and received contributions from churches throughout Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia. For accountability purposes, he invited select members of these churches to return with him to Jerusalem to witness the giving of this collection to those who lived there. Paul mentioned this special offering in several of his letters, including both 1 and 2 Corinthians.
Paul gave the same instructions to Corinth as he had given to the Galatian churches. He advised them to give an offering specifically for the Jerusalem saints on the 1st day of each week and to save these recurring gifts. Following this strategy, no additional or special collection would be made when Paul arrived, but rather he would simply accept monies that had already been accumulated for this purpose. Paul also told the Corinthians to choose someone who would either carry the money to Jerusalem themselves with a letter of authorization from him or travel with Paul and his entourage back there.
In these verses, we see evidence that the early Christian church met for worship on the 1st day of the week - Sunday, in honor of Jesus’ resurrection. As a part of their worship, they collected offerings. Even in its infancy, the Christian church was committed to helping those in need and contributing to the church at large through missional giving. Furthermore, we see an example of designated giving and setting aside money in a designated fund for a particular purpose.
II. PAUL’S TRAVEL INTENTIONS (1 Cor. 16:5-9)
As we learned earlier in this series, Paul wrote the epistle known as 1 Corinthians while living and serving in Ephesus for over 3 years. In the benediction of this letter, he expressed his intention to remain in Ephesus until Pentecost because a wide door of opportunity had presented itself there for the advancement of the gospel, in spite of ongoing opposition. From there, Paul planned to revisit the churches of Macedonia, which would include locations such as Philippi, Berea, and Thessalonica. After this, he hoped to return to Corinth and perhaps stay there through the winter. He didn’t want to make just a passing visit, but rather wanted to remain in Corinth for a while when he came.
Although these were Paul’s stated intentions and the chronology presented in Acts 18-21 mirrors this sequence, some historians have suggested that Paul made an unplanned, emergency visit to Corinth directly from Ephesus that is not recorded in Luke’s detailed accounts of his travels. This would help explain some of the statements that he made in 2 Corinthians (which we will study in the coming months). If he did make this extra trip, it would have been after he’d written and sent the letter of 1 Corinthians. In such a case, his plans as stated here would have been altered slightly. We will discuss this possibility a bit more later.
III. TIMOTHY AND APOLLOS (1 Cor. 16:10-12)
During his extended stay in Ephesus, Paul sent Timothy on ahead to Macedonia (Acts 19:22). He indicated that Timothy might, of his own volition, come and visit them in Corinth. If he did so, Paul urged the Corinthians to receive him graciously and to treat him well. They were to give him no cause for fear. Paul cheered Timothy for doing the Lord’s work, and looked forward to being reunited with him and some other brethren soon.
Paul had also encouraged Apollos, who had preached in Corinth a few years prior, to revisit the Corinthians. Unfortunately Apollos couldn’t do so at the time. Nevertheless, Paul expressed that Apollos would visit them as soon as an opportunity arose.
Some historians believe that, just as Paul suggested, Timothy did indeed make a visit to Corinth. Sadly, he found that the church had embraced the false teachings of corrupt leaders and widely dismissed Paul’s authority and instructions. Alarmed and unwelcomed, Timothy hurried to Ephesus and alerted Paul of the troubling news. This led to Paul’s previously mentioned “emergency” visit, also known as his “tearful visit”. Again, this is uncertain, but certainly plausible.
IV. THE CLOSING CHARGE (1 Cor. 16:13-14)
Paul issued a final charge to the Corinthian Christians, which can be applied to us as well. He urged them to be alert, ever mindful of the wickedness and deception that constantly endangered them. Friends, the Devil is actively looking for ways “to steal, kill, and destroy” and we must constantly be on guard lest we slip and fall. Paul also encouraged the Corinthians to stand firm, be courageous, and strong. Even when facing the world’s intense pressure, they should not deny or compromise the truth of Christ. We must exercise this same boldness today.
Perhaps most importantly, Paul called the Corinthians to do everything in love. The division that threatened to splinter their church could be resolved with love. The sexual immorality and callous indifference that weakened their church could be remedied with love. Biblical marriage practices and proper Christian order could be embraced by the congregation and adhered to in love. Christian liberty and spiritual gifts could be rightly exercised among believers in love. God honoring ordinances and orderly church services could be practiced and tempered with love. In every area where the church struggled, a sincere love for the LORD and for one another would help make things substantially better.
CONCLUSION
Next Sunday we will wrap up 1 Corinthians and introduce 2 Corinthians. While 1 Corinthians is primarily a pastoral letter, in which Paul seeks to provide godly wisdom, counsel, and instruction on a host of different issues that were adversely affecting the church, 2 Corinthians is more of an apologetic letter in which Paul fiercely defends his ministry, his faith, and his reputation. We will see the distinction quite clearly as we continue through this series.
In closing, I echo the words of the Apostle Paul, which were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. That said, these are the very words of God. “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
This morning we will move into the last chapter of 1 Corinthians. We will discuss most of it in today’s message and finish up with the last few verses next week. In this chapter Paul will:
- provide some practical instructions to help the Corinthians prepare for his next visit
- give a detailed description of his immediate and upcoming travel plans
- share a brief update on a pair of his close colleagues
- issue a final charge to the Corinthians
- make a final plea to the Corinthians
- send various greetings to the Corinthians from himself and those in Ephesus
Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 16 and let’s begin.
I. THE COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS (1 Cor. 16:1-4)
During his 3rd missionary journey, Paul took up a collection from the various Gentile churches that he visited. This money was to be given to the poor Christians in Jerusalem who had recently undergone a severe famine and were also suffering under heavy persecution from the Jews. Paul promoted this offering and received contributions from churches throughout Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia. For accountability purposes, he invited select members of these churches to return with him to Jerusalem to witness the giving of this collection to those who lived there. Paul mentioned this special offering in several of his letters, including both 1 and 2 Corinthians.
Paul gave the same instructions to Corinth as he had given to the Galatian churches. He advised them to give an offering specifically for the Jerusalem saints on the 1st day of each week and to save these recurring gifts. Following this strategy, no additional or special collection would be made when Paul arrived, but rather he would simply accept monies that had already been accumulated for this purpose. Paul also told the Corinthians to choose someone who would either carry the money to Jerusalem themselves with a letter of authorization from him or travel with Paul and his entourage back there.
In these verses, we see evidence that the early Christian church met for worship on the 1st day of the week - Sunday, in honor of Jesus’ resurrection. As a part of their worship, they collected offerings. Even in its infancy, the Christian church was committed to helping those in need and contributing to the church at large through missional giving. Furthermore, we see an example of designated giving and setting aside money in a designated fund for a particular purpose.
II. PAUL’S TRAVEL INTENTIONS (1 Cor. 16:5-9)
As we learned earlier in this series, Paul wrote the epistle known as 1 Corinthians while living and serving in Ephesus for over 3 years. In the benediction of this letter, he expressed his intention to remain in Ephesus until Pentecost because a wide door of opportunity had presented itself there for the advancement of the gospel, in spite of ongoing opposition. From there, Paul planned to revisit the churches of Macedonia, which would include locations such as Philippi, Berea, and Thessalonica. After this, he hoped to return to Corinth and perhaps stay there through the winter. He didn’t want to make just a passing visit, but rather wanted to remain in Corinth for a while when he came.
Although these were Paul’s stated intentions and the chronology presented in Acts 18-21 mirrors this sequence, some historians have suggested that Paul made an unplanned, emergency visit to Corinth directly from Ephesus that is not recorded in Luke’s detailed accounts of his travels. This would help explain some of the statements that he made in 2 Corinthians (which we will study in the coming months). If he did make this extra trip, it would have been after he’d written and sent the letter of 1 Corinthians. In such a case, his plans as stated here would have been altered slightly. We will discuss this possibility a bit more later.
III. TIMOTHY AND APOLLOS (1 Cor. 16:10-12)
During his extended stay in Ephesus, Paul sent Timothy on ahead to Macedonia (Acts 19:22). He indicated that Timothy might, of his own volition, come and visit them in Corinth. If he did so, Paul urged the Corinthians to receive him graciously and to treat him well. They were to give him no cause for fear. Paul cheered Timothy for doing the Lord’s work, and looked forward to being reunited with him and some other brethren soon.
Paul had also encouraged Apollos, who had preached in Corinth a few years prior, to revisit the Corinthians. Unfortunately Apollos couldn’t do so at the time. Nevertheless, Paul expressed that Apollos would visit them as soon as an opportunity arose.
Some historians believe that, just as Paul suggested, Timothy did indeed make a visit to Corinth. Sadly, he found that the church had embraced the false teachings of corrupt leaders and widely dismissed Paul’s authority and instructions. Alarmed and unwelcomed, Timothy hurried to Ephesus and alerted Paul of the troubling news. This led to Paul’s previously mentioned “emergency” visit, also known as his “tearful visit”. Again, this is uncertain, but certainly plausible.
IV. THE CLOSING CHARGE (1 Cor. 16:13-14)
Paul issued a final charge to the Corinthian Christians, which can be applied to us as well. He urged them to be alert, ever mindful of the wickedness and deception that constantly endangered them. Friends, the Devil is actively looking for ways “to steal, kill, and destroy” and we must constantly be on guard lest we slip and fall. Paul also encouraged the Corinthians to stand firm, be courageous, and strong. Even when facing the world’s intense pressure, they should not deny or compromise the truth of Christ. We must exercise this same boldness today.
Perhaps most importantly, Paul called the Corinthians to do everything in love. The division that threatened to splinter their church could be resolved with love. The sexual immorality and callous indifference that weakened their church could be remedied with love. Biblical marriage practices and proper Christian order could be embraced by the congregation and adhered to in love. Christian liberty and spiritual gifts could be rightly exercised among believers in love. God honoring ordinances and orderly church services could be practiced and tempered with love. In every area where the church struggled, a sincere love for the LORD and for one another would help make things substantially better.
CONCLUSION
Next Sunday we will wrap up 1 Corinthians and introduce 2 Corinthians. While 1 Corinthians is primarily a pastoral letter, in which Paul seeks to provide godly wisdom, counsel, and instruction on a host of different issues that were adversely affecting the church, 2 Corinthians is more of an apologetic letter in which Paul fiercely defends his ministry, his faith, and his reputation. We will see the distinction quite clearly as we continue through this series.
In closing, I echo the words of the Apostle Paul, which were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. That said, these are the very words of God. “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”