Lesson 35 – 1 Corinthians Chapter 16:1-12
In this final chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul gives us instructions concerning the offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem, and at the same time he appeals to the believers in Corinth concerning their church life.
Paul does a shift change from discussing the resurrection in great detail by ending his letter with several exhortations when it comes to Christian giving, doing the Lord’s work, faithful living, and love within church fellowship.
Where chapter 15 lifted us up to the heights of heaven in our glorified bodies, he now settles us down to the present life on planet earth.
Even though Paul wasn’t allowed to give us vivid details about heaven, he gave us enough spiritual food to chew on when it comes to receiving our new bodies. By Paul wetting our spiritual appetites, this should give us the incentive to live more faithfully to God with the time we have left.
2 Peter 3:13-14 (NLT):
“But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight.”
Peter reminds us not to be looking up at the clouds for Christ’s return, but to be living our lives on purpose for God every day.
One pastor writes, “What lies ahead in our resurrection glory, lays great responsibility on the present.”
This is why I frequently remind you to always be storing up treasures in heaven. Once we are captured up to heaven, our heavenly 401K is closed… there will be no more adding to it.
I’m pretty sure every one of us will hear from Jesus, “What did you do with the time, talent, and treasure I gave you?”
Paul opens chapter 16 by talking about what to do with our earthly treasures.
1 Cor. 16:1:
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also.”
When we started out in Corinthians, we learned that the Corinthians had written Paul a letter with many questions, and one of the questions had to do with collections.
The saints Paul is talking about are the believers in Jerusalem. We might say that Paul was a great facilitator in seeing to it that all the churches would help each other.
Just as we see extreme poverty around the world today, the same was true during ancient times as well.
Deut. 15:11:
“For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’”
There was a great need in the church at Jerusalem. For many years the Christians had been persecuted, causing physical and financial hardships throughout the region. It wasn’t uncommon for believers to lose their houses and possessions, as well as it was almost impossible to get any kind of job to sustain a family. Christians knew all too well that there was a great price to pay if you were going to follow Christ.
Ironically, Paul had a hand in their persecutions…
Acts 8:1-3:
“Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him (Steven) to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.”
Was Paul now trying to undo the damage he had done previously? We don’t know, but I imagine it might have been in the back of his mind as he continued to devote himself to Jesus and the church.
Romans 15:26 (NLT):
“For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially.”
It says here in Romans that the believers “eagerly” took up a collection, which speaks of them having a genuine concern for others… we can learn from their example.
While we care about the lost and poor of this world, our first obligation needs to be toward fellow believers, individually as well as collectively.
Phil. 4:15-16 [Here we see the church helping Paul]:
“As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.”
Of course we do what we can to help those outside the church.
Gal. 6:10:
“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.”
The parable of the Good Samaritan makes it clear that we should minister personally and financially to anyone in need, regardless of their race, circumstance, or religion.
1 Cor. 16:2:
“On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”
Paul is constructing a templet for all future generations to follow within the church. This is like a “good” parent teaching their child the values of saving, except in this case, it’s about being ready to give. I remember at a very young age my mother helped me set up my first savings account.
On the first day of every week…
This is evidence pointing out that the church met on Sundays, not only to worship together, but to give together.
One pastor says, “Giving should not be spasmodic, done only when we feel generous or “as the spirit leads.”
Paul is showing them how to budget for God, to put some money aside and save it.
It might sound strange to some, but if I don’t tithe, I’m in a way robbing God. The tithe isn’t a gift I give to God, it’s simply a return to Him of what He has already blessed me with.
In today’s world people get paid at all different times. Back in the “old days,” I would get paid once a week. As a teenager working in a car wash, I got paid at the end of the day in cash. When I was in the Army, I got paid once a month also in cash. Being paid once a month would turn out to be quite a challenge, to make sure my money would last till the next payday.
The point is, it’s wise to set some money aside so you’re not tempted to spend it. The concept is easy; the hard part can be just doing it.
Paul’s not being legalistic, requiring us to make sure we have something to put in the offering plate every Sunday, but what he is teaching us is our giving should be something that is woven into our worship and praise.
Peter says it a little differently…
1 Peter 2:5 (NLT):
“And you are living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple. What’s more, you are His holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.”
Paul says, “each one of you,” that’s similar to “all” means all. Every one of us is included in what Paul is saying, so,we should all pay attention. What this comes down to is, we need to be good stewards of everything that God blesses us with… we’re foolish if we don’t. No matter our station in life, we all have something to give back to the Lord.
Mark 12:41-44:
“And He (Jesus) sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent…
Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”
What Jesus observed was the widow had a heart to give back to the Lord. How many rich people would give to God all that they had? The widow gave sacrificially, the rich person gives out of their abundance, not really affecting their life-style. As always, God looks at the heart of a person… nothing is hidden from Him.
To put aside and save, as he may prosper… the NLT says, “a portion of the money you have earned.”
A lot of Christians give a “tithe” which comes from the Old Testament. The first time we see this is in Gen. 14:18, where Abraham gave a tithe of his possessions to Melchizedek, who was as it says, “a priest of God Most High.” Giving a tithe basically means giving 10%.
I have to smile whenever I hear someone say, “Is it 10% from my net or my gross income?”
Proverbs 3:9-10:
“Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
Giving is a funny thing, and I think what it really comes down to is a person’s faith in God. What I’ve learned in my walk with God is, you can’t outgive God. Giving is also a matter of trust, it’s trusting that God is going to provide in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.
Trusting that God’s provision will come, even in uncertain times, requires a deep sense of faith and surrender to God. Many find that generosity, whether in finances, time, or showing kindness, often leads to unexpected blessings from God. But, let’s be clear, we don’t give to get.
And it’s not always about money…
Brenda Jones, a 69-year-old woman from Texas, had been waiting years for a liver transplant. Finally, in July 2017, she got the call… there was a liver available for her. But at the same time, doctors informed her of another patient, a young 23-year-old named Abraham Gonzalez, who was in critical condition and had only hours to live without a transplant.
Brenda made an extraordinary decision. Though she had waited so long and needed the transplant herself, she gave up her place so Abraham could receive the liver instead. Her act of selflessness saved his life.
Later, another liver became available for Brenda, and she successfully underwent her own transplant. Her faith and compassion guided her to put someone else’s life ahead of her own… a true example of generosity that reflects deep Christian values of sacrificial love.
Her story reminds us that giving isn’t just about money… it’s about the heart behind it. When it comes to giving monetarily, no amount or percentage is ever required in the New Testament, rather, each one of us is to give from the heart.
Luke 6:38:
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure… pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
I know we’re not supposed to test God, but it might be fun to try and out give God and see what happens.
Looking down the road at 2 Corinthians Paul says…
2 Cor. 9:6:
“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
It only makes sense for us to sow bountifully as Paul is indicating here. When you plant abundantly, whether it’s through our generosity, sweat equity, or just showing someone kindness, you increase the chances of a rich harvest down the road. If you don’t receive a rich harvest in this lifetime, you certainly will in the next.
So that no collections be made when I come…
This is Paul just being practical. If the Corinthians were faithful in giving to the church directly every week, the church would already have the funds saved by the time he got there. Paul would then see to it that relief would be sent to the church in Jerusalem right away… this shows the urgency of their need.
1 Cor. 16:3:
“When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;”
Paul needed some godly men who could be trusted to make sure the funds got to Jerusalem.
Acts 6:2-3:
“So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, ‘It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.’”
The church is always in need of a few good men, godly and responsible men. It’s very sad when you hear about people within the church who misuse God’s money, sometimes it’s even the pastor himself. All I can say to them is, look out when they get to the other side!
The day of great accountability is coming!
1 Cor. 16:4:
“And if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me.”
If it is fitting for Paul to go… the Greek definition for fitting is “of one who has merited anything worthy.”
This probably means that if the amount of funds the Corinthians collected was somewhat generous, Paul wouldn’t be embarrassed to go with them to deliver it to Jerusalem. It’s not uncommon for believers to be generous with what they have, whereas when it comes to the “worldly,” they have a propensity to hold on tight to what they possess.
1 Cor. 16:5-12:
“But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia; and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go. For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits. But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren. But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.”
These passages near the end of Paul’s letter do not explicitly teach or exhort, except for advice about receiving Timothy in verse 11. What Paul is giving us is more of an explanation, but let’s see what we can glean from these 8 verses.
The things Paul is talking about here have to do with “the work of the Lord” …in which we as Christians should be abounding. We learned this at the end of chapter 15.
1 Cor. 15:58:
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
When it comes to working for the Lord, it helps to have a sense of vision, but even the greatest visionaries know that one must always be flexible.
As Christian sojourners, making our way along the narrow path that God has carved out for us, we will see needs that are not yet filled, and opportunities that haven’t been accomplished. With that, we respond to those things.
At the end of verse 7 we see an important phrase to take in… if the Lord permits.
We can make all these glorious plans about what we’re going to do, but if all of a sudden we’re interrupted by something, this is where flexibility plays a role.
Proverbs 3:5-6:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (direct your path).”
We get in trouble when we think we have everything under control; we say to ourselves, “Don’t worry Lord, I’ve got this one in the bag.” But by us not leaning on our own understanding, it means that we’re going to trust God. By doing this, it shows that we’re willing to give God the steering wheel of our life.
What this comes down to is, how big is God to you? God is “big” enough to make the universe and “small” enough to know and love us, but do we trust Him enough to make Him the epicenter of our life?
Isaiah 40:28:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is incomprehensible.”
If the Lord permits…
If you have your day all planned out and an interruption occurs, step back and smile, because it’s a Godly interruption. Remember, there are no coincidences. This is when your day starts out one way, and ends up in a totally different direction.
On doing the Lord’s work, one Bible commentary says, “Even with work that we know is the Lord’s, we should never take on a ministry that we are not willing to thoroughly prepare for and work at. We should not attempt to give a message or teach a lesson that is not carefully based on Scripture and thoroughly prayed about. We should not seek to disciple a person to whom we are not willing to give the necessary time. Good purposes, intentions, and plans are worthless if they are not faithfully executed.”
(9) for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries…
This was true for Paul and it is true for all believers, there’s a wide door for effective service open to all who are willing to serve the Lord.
John 4:35:
“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.’”
When the fields are “white” for harvest, it means they are “ripe” or “ready” to be harvested. When grain is fully sprouted and in peak condition for gathering, it approaches the color of white. A ripe grainfield looks like a sea of white.
Jesus wanted His disciples to understand the urgency and the immediate opportunity of His mission. People were hungry for the truth, and ready to receive His salvation, they were coming to Him; therefore, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation”
The fields are white for harvest means the right time to bring people into God’s kingdom is now. Paul tells Timothy to be prepared to preach the gospel “in season and out of season.”
In the spiritual realm, the time for gathering in the harvest is now… whenever and wherever a crop of white-ripe souls exists. When the fields are “white” for harvest this also equates to a wide door being open. Paul says there are so many opportunities open to him, that he must keep on going… daylight is burning.
Hebrews 3:13:
“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
And there are many adversaries…
G. Campbell Morgan said, “If you have no opposition in the place you serve, you’re serving in the wrong place.”
Who is our adversary? It’s satan and his demons, and their strategies against us are unrelenting… of this we can be sure.
Paul said he would remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, and that was because there was a lot of opposition to deal with there.
Ephesus was full of people involved in the occult, along with paganism, idolatry, superstitions, sex parties, and racism. It was pagans against Christians, Jews against Christians, and pagans against Jews… it was a hot mess.
2 Cor. 4:8-11:
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”
It’s amazing to think about what Paul was dealing with, and then at the same time, being able to focus on all the problems that the Corinthians were having… talk about multitasking!
Mature believers can’t help but see wide doors opened for godly opportunities.
There’s a story worth telling about John Paton, a missionary born in Scotland in 1824. After he graduated from college, God called him to missionary work in the New Hebrides (Hab-re-dees). John and his new bride sailed to the southwest Pacific and began work among the savage cannibals on the island of Tanna. His wife and infant son died a few months later, and Paton slept on their graves for several nights to prevent the cannibals from digging up the bodies and eating them. After almost four years of faithful work he left without seeing a single convert. Many years later his son by another marriage resumed work on Tanna and eventually saw the entire island come to Christ.
When the elder Paton revisited the island, the chief of the former cannibals asked the missionary who the great army was that had surrounded his hut every night when he first came among them. God’s angels had protected him. Because of his faithful work and that of his son, when he left the island for the last time, after ministering on another island as well, it is reported that he said with tearful eyes, “I don’t know of one native on these islands who has not made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.”
There’s no doubt in my mind that John Paton and his son heard, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Our take-away when it comes to open doors is to be alert, to be on the look-out for godly opportunities and assignments. This only comes about when we are sensitive to the Lord’s promptings, and that only happens by having a vibrant relationship with God.
(10-11) Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren…
(NLT) “When Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. Don’t let anyone treat him with contempt. Send him on his way with your blessing when he returns to me. I expect him to come with the other believers.”
Perhaps Paul knew that the Corinthians weren’t above “bullying” people. With immature believers, survival of the fittest is always a possibility. There were signs that Timothy wasn’t any kind of linebacker or running-back.
1 Tim. 5:23:
“No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.”
2 Tim. 1:7:
“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
Paul handled Timothy with grace and he’s asking the Corinthians to do the same. The apostle was concerned that Timothy might be ignored or mistreated by them.
For he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am…
Paul’s not pretending to be a pastoral superstar, he wants the Corinthians to show Timothy the same respect they give him.
So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren…
The word despise means “to make of no account.” This meant that the Corinthians would think little of Timothy, to pay no attention to him at all, and Paul didn’t want that to happen.
For the Christian, we should treat all people with respect, not just family and friends, and those in the inner circles.
When it comes to the Lord’s work there should be a certain amount of Esprit de corps, it is a French term meaning “spirit of body,” which refers to the sense of pride, camaraderie, and enthusiasm among members of a group, such as a military unit, business, or sports team. This term should also include Christians as well.
Whenever doing the Lord’s work “in” the Lord’s way, it will always be done with a spirit of unity, teamwork, and having a mutual dependence on one another.
(12) But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity…
We saw in the very beginning of Corinthians that Apollos had a fan club, but Paul was eager for him to come. Paul in no way saw Apollos as a rival or competitor. This further shows us the level of Paul’s maturity.
Once again, it’s so important that believers work as a team…
We’ll close with this…
Eccl. 4:12:
“And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
This is what Christian unity is all about. If we are one in Christ, we are one in each other, and when we stand together it’s hard for the evil one to tear us apart. When the Lord gives the body of Christ His godly assignments, this is the time to pull together and be as one… doing the Lord’s work, in the Lord’s way, for His kingdom and for His glory.