查經資料大全

 

| Back to Home Page | Back to Book Index |

 

1 Corinthians Chapter Sixteen

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

Exhortations in Love

A.  Principles concerning the collection (v.1-4):

1.  One shall have part in the collection (v.1).

2.  One shall present his gift regularly (v.2).

3.  The gift should be sent by faithful one (v.3-4).

B.  The schedule of Paul’s journey (v.5-9);

C.  The cordial exhortations (v.10-18);

D.  Greeting warning and blessing (v.19-24);

 

II. Verse by Verse Commentary

 

1Cor. 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia so you must do also:

YLT: “And concerning the collection that for the saints as I directed to the assemblies of Galatia so also ye -- do ye;”

The Background: there was a great famine in Judaea during the days of Claudius Caesar which was recorded in chapter eleven of the Book of Acts. And the church in Antioch entrusted Barnabas and Paul to send the contributions to help believers in Jerusalem. Later Paul still encouraged the church established by him to collect money for saints in Jerusalem. 

Literal Meaning: “now concerning the collection for the saints concerning” it indicates that the teaching concerning collection below is also according to the epistle from the Corinthians (see 1Cor. 7:1).

  Someone thought that apostle Paul’s zeal in collection for the poor (see Gal. 2:10) was a work of social welfare. Therefore they imitated Paul to promote social acts of charity. Actually they misunderstood the scriptures as well as the motive of Paul. Here it mentions “the saints” clearly i.e. those who are of God in the church in Jerusalem (see Rom. 15:26) instead of common poor men.

“As I have given orders to the churches of Galatia Galatia located in the Modern Turkey was a small province in the area of Asia Minor. In order to help saints in Jerusalem Paul extended the area of collection into a large area: Galatia Macedonia and other provinces in Achaia (see 2Cor. 8:1; 9:2).

“So you must do also” it shows all the local churches should apply the same principles in practice.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Paul firstly resolved the doubts about the resurrection after death in the previous chapter and here mentioned the problem of collection. The order itself contains its meaning. If man can divert our sight from this age to the coming one from material to spiritual he will rely on God more than on mammon and will be more willingly to devote his money to the Lord.

2)    The more one knows he has been saved by grace the more he is willing to devote his money. The more one is unwilling to devote his money the more he cannot know the blessing of salvation that he has obtained.

3)    It is good that Christians are zealous in helping the poor. However we shall not reach for what is beyond our grasp but do what we can: a) provide for those of house (1Tim. 5:8); b) provide for those of the house of God (James 2:15-16; 1John 3:17); c) provide for our neighbors.

 

1Cor. 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside storing up as he may prosper that there be no collections when I come.

YLT: “on every first of the week let each one of you lay by him treasuring up whatever he may have prospered that when I may come then collections may not be made;”

Literal Meaning: “on the first day of the week” on the Lord’s day namely the day of the Lord’s resurrection (Matt. 28:1);

“Let each one of you lay something aside storing up as he may prosper “each one of you”: everyone shall have part in the collection; “as he may prosper”: in proportion to his prosperity; “store up”: be separated for devoting to the Lord.

“That there be no collections when I come” concerning the collection the earlier planned the better. And one shall put it into practice and not collect the gift when it is urgently needed.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Here we see that believers devote money once a week not settle accounts at the end of a month. Paul says on the first day of the week that man should settle account before God. On the Lord’s day it is a good that we break the bread and devote money to the Lord. On one hand we remember that how the Lord gives Himself to us. And on the other hand we see that we give to the Lord today.

2)    The collection should be done “on the first day of the week”. And the first day of the week is the day of the Lord’s resurrection. Therefore in the collection there should not be the stink of money but the sweet odour of resurrection. It is not manifested the power of money or the sum of money but that how the risen power delivers man from the bondage of money.

3)    The collection of money on the risen day also indicates that if we present something to God we should do through the risen life rather than our natural life.

4)    If man has overcome the bondage of money and is willing to use his money on the service of the Lord it proves that he lives in the realm of resurrection.

5)    “Storing up as he may prosper that there be no collections when I come” the portion that God shall get should be separated from not be mixed with men’s portion and should be kept in the church not at home so that the house of God will have food. Thus there will be collection in the house of God when it is needed.

6)    “Storing up” ---- one should not appropriate the Lord’s money or borrow money from the Lord. We should confide in the Lord and He will provide us all that we need. Since it is of God it must be cast into the collection box of the church instead of being held in your hands too long lest you should be enticed to appropriate the Lord’s money.

7)    “There be no collections when I come” –-- the devotion of money is not according to transient inspiration but according to your heart and desire ---- you set a number and put it into practice thus forming a habit and keeping it faithfully. Even though you meet difficulty you should keep your vow to the Lord and give to the Lord firstly and then remain for yourself. Thus you must be blessed by God.

8)    What God looks on is not the number that we devote but our heart to Him.

 

1Cor. 16:3 And when I come whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.

YLT: “and whenever I may come whomsoever ye may approve through letters these I will send to carry your favour to Jerusalem;”

Literal Meaning: “and when I come Paul was at Ephesus at that time and he planed to go through Macedonia and Achaia (Corinth was in the province of Achaia) and then went to Jerusalem from Corinth (see Acts 19:21; 2Cor. 1:16). However since there was a treacherous plot of the Jews against him he changed his plan and went to Jerusalem from Corinth by way of Macedonia (see Acts 20:2-3). 

“Whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem” Paul did not handle or directly appoint someone to deal with the gift but gave the gift to those who were approved by the church thus avoiding arousing suspicion of appropriating the money of the church.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Money is not the accordance of power. It is not that who presents the money has the power let alone those who present more money.

2)    Paul as an apostle had the right to decide and choose and send someone to deal with the gift. However he did not use this it but asked the Corinthians to approve someone by themselves which showed that Paul took heed of not letting the power destroy the harmony of the church with the workers and provided for things honest so as not to give a handle to others (see 2Cor. 8:20-21).

 

1Cor. 16:4 But if it is fitting that I go also they will go with me.

YLT: “and if it be meet for me also to go with me they shall go.”

 

1Cor. 16:5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia).

YLT: “And I will come unto you when I pass through Macedonia -- for Macedonia I do pass through --”

Literal Meaning:when I pass through Macedonia” it meant that he would visit the churches in Macedonia first.

  Now I will come to you” Paul had indeed passed through those parts and exhorted the disciples with much discourse he came to Greece (Corinth) and spent three months there (Acts 20:1-3).

 

1Cor. 16:6 And it may be that I will remain or even spend the winter with you that you may send me on my journey wherever I go.

YLT: “and with you it may be I will abide or even winter that ye may send me forward whithersoever I go ”

Literal Meaning:it may be that I will remain or even spend the winter with you” it might refer to the three months during which Paul stayed in Greece that was mentioned in the Book of Acts (20:3).

“That you may send me on my journey” “send on journey” it referred to prayers and blessings as well as provisions of the necessities and equipment on the journey (see Rom. 15:24). However Paul had mentioned in this epistle that he was unwilling to add economic burden to the Corinthians (see 1Cor. 9:7-12).

 

1Cor. 16:7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you if the Lord permits.

YLT: “for I do not wish to see you now in the passing but I hope to remain a certain time with you if the Lord may permit;”

Literal Meaning: “for I do not wish to see you now on the way” it meant that Paul was unwilling to stay in Corinth in several days when he passed by there.

“But I hope to stay a while with you if the Lord permits” he hoped that the Lord would permit him to stay longer.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Some Christians set their routes as they wish without relying on the Lord’s will at all. Such attitude is condemned by James (see James 4:13-16).

2)    There are also some Christians who seem to very spiritual and never prearrange their journey but set out on a journey suddenly according to the guidance of the Lord hither and thither. This is also not the example shown by Paul. The general way is that one makes his plan and also follows the guidance of the Lord. “If the Lord permits” one can walk according to the plan. If not one shall altar his plan.

 

1Cor. 16:8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.

YLT: “and I will remain in Ephesus till the Pentecost ”

Literal Meaning: “but I will tarry in Ephesus” the journey was still focused on the gospel and the need of the church. He always made chances kept chances and embraced chances to preach the gospel diligently for the Lord.

“Until Pentecost” it indicated that this book was written before Pentecost of that year.

 

1Cor. 16:9 For a great and effective door has opened to me and there are many adversaries.

YLT: “for a door to me hath been opened -- great and effectual -- and withstanders many.”

Literal Meaning: “for a great and effective door has opened to me at that time even the wicked spirit said it knew Paul (Acts 19:15). And many people believed (Acts 19:18). Many of those that practiced curious arts brought their books and burnt them before all. The books were fifty thousand pieces of silver (Acts 19:19). Luke recorded in the Book of Acts “thus with might the word of the Lord increased and prevailed” (Acts 19:20).

“And there are many adversaries” the adversaries came from the Jews and influential officials and businessmen (see Acts 19:9-10 33-34; 20:20-21).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    If the “great and effective door is really opened by the Lord there must be “many adversaries”.

2)    If there is a great and effective door there must be also persecutions of the world. However the more the gospel is opposed the more widely and further the gospel will be preached. 

 

1Cor. 16:10 And if Timothy comes see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord as I also do.

YLT: “And if Timotheus may come see that he may become without fear with you for the work of the Lord he doth work even as I ”

Literal Meaning: “and if Timothy comes Paul sent Timothy to Macedonia first (Acts 19:22) and then Corinth (see 1Cor. 4:17).

“See that he may be with you without fear” Timothy seemed to be cowardly by nature (see 1Tim. 4:12; 2Tim. 1:7) so Paul asked believers in Corinth to treat him well.

“For he does the work of the Lord as I also do” Paul trained Timothy to serve the Lord by setting himself as an example for he himself labored in the work of the Lord (see Acts 20:35). Therefore Timothy learned his example. 

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Now there are many young workers of the Lord in the church at present that are unwilling to learn the examples of the labor of Paul and Timothy and yet earnestly desire to obtain the position and honor as that of Paul.

2)    There are also some elder workers of the Lord who closely hold the power and ask the young workers to this or that. Some of them even fear that other workers trespass on their “domain”. They admire the effect of Paul’s works but have ignored the spirit of Paul’s works.

 

1Cor. 16:11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

YLT: “no one then may despise him; and send ye him forward in peace that he may come to me for I expect him with the brethren;”

Literal Meaning: “therefore let no one despise him” since the church in Corinth even dared to despise the apostle who built the church Paul was indeed afraid that they might despise the young worker sent by him.

But send him on his journey in peace that he may come to me” Paul here appealed to the church in Corinth to cease opposition and turn hostility into friendship.

“For I am waiting for him with the brethren” “brethren” might refer to Timothy and Erastus who are sent by Paul to Macedonia (Acts 19:22). Probably Erastus went to Corinth with Timothy together who was the steward of the city (see Rom. 16:24).

 

1Cor. 16:12 Now concerning our brother Apollos I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however he will come when he has a convenient time.

YLT: “and concerning Apollos our brother much I did entreat him that he may come unto you with the brethren and it was not at all will that he may come now and he will come when he may find convenient.”

Literal Meaning: “now concerning our brother Apollos I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren believers in Corinth might have mentioned Apollos in their epistle (see 1Cor. 7:1). Paul had no envy of Apollos and they had good relationship.

“But he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however he will come when he has a convenient time” Possibly Apollos was unwilling to come to Corinth so as to avoid worsening the condition.

We can see the friendship of Paul and Apollos from this verse. Division was only the problem among believers in Corinth.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Most probably Apollos here was unwilling to go to Corinth in order to avoid worsening the condition of divisions in the church at Corinth (see 1Cor. 1:10-12). Today there are many so-called servants of the Lord who earnestly desire to have more believers that follow themselves. Such selfishness should be abolished.

2)    “Fellow workers” should not “attack one another” but “provide for one another”. It is profitable to provide one anther in spirit. Paul and Apollos are indeed the examples for all those who serve the Lord.

3)    Though Paul was the fellow worker in the Lord earlier he does not constrain Apollos who was in the Lord later. Fellow workers should take responsibility for the Lord respectively and receive the commandments from the Lord but not purpose to control the whole work of the Lord or direct other workers without giving any freedom in spirit.

 

1Cor. 16:13 Watch stand fast in the faith be brave be strong.

YLT: “Watch ye stand in the faith; be men be strong;”

Literal Meaning: “watch stand fast in the faith “faith” refers to the objective faith; “stand fast” be not moved by any heresy here especially the heresy that the dead will not be raised up.

“Be brave be strong” “be brave”: be grown up in life; “strong” here has two aspects of meaning:

a)    Be strong in faith and stand fast;

b)    Be strong in mind and no longer be children (see 1Cor. 14:20) for fear of being tossed and carried about by every wind of teaching (see Eph. 4:14).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    “Be brave be strong” not be easy life but be a strong and brave man; do not seek the work that you are able to do but seek the power that can fulfill your work; Thus what you have done cannot be counted as a sign but you yourself is a sign.

2)    Facing with the power of the darkness in the last days the church should be soldiers of God: a) watch (Eph. 6:18); b) stand fast (Eph. 6:13-14); c) be brave ---- be not frightened in anything by the opposers (Phil.1:28); d) be strong (Eph. 6:10);

 

1Cor. 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love.

YLT: “let all your things be done in love.”

Literal Meaning: “love”: the perfect and divine love in the original; the whole sentence indicates that the love of God should be shed out of us.

  The previous verse focuses on keeping faith and this verse focuses on the conduct. The previous verse deals with the false teachers and this verse talks about treating brothers truly. The previous verse emphasizes the position of truth and this verse emphasizes the attitude of service

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God loves us and has saved us and has put such love into our hearts and thus become the foundation and motive of our life.

2)    The first epistle to the Corinthians speaks of gifts and the principle of using the gifts is love. Therefore this book is also a book that talks about love. Love is the principle of our conduct.

3)    If the church wants to oppose the outward enemy she should be in harmony inwardly first. If the church desires to resist the attack of the heresy she should look upon one another first (1Cor. 12:25).

 

1Cor. 16:15 I urge you brethren--you know the household of Stephanas that it is the firstfruits of Achaia and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints--

YLT: “And I entreat you brethren ye have known the household of Stephanas that it is the first-fruit of Achaia and to the ministration to the saints they did set themselves --”

Literal Meaning:I urge you brethren--you know the household of Stephanas “you know”: here Paul remind them; “the household of Stephanas”: the house that Paul baptized (see 1Cor. 1:16);

“That it is the first-fruits of Achaia the first house that believed the Lord in the church at Corinth;

“And that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints--” “they”: the whole family; “have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints”: have committed themselves to the ministry of the saints;

 

1Cor. 16:16 that you also submit to such and to everyone who works and labors with us.

YLT: “that ye also be subject to such and to every one who is working with and labouring;”

Literal Meaning:that you also submit to such it suggests that some believers in Corinth might not accept Stephanas; Paul encourages them to submit to such saints who serve the Lord for only those who serve others match the Lord’s condition of “being great and being first”: “whoever will be great among you shall be your servant; and whoever will be first among you let him be your bondman” (Matt. 20:26-27).

“And to everyone who works and labors with us” it indicates that we should appreciate their labor and receive their guidance.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The household of Stephanashave devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints” (v.15) and the apostle says that believers “should submit to such”. Therefore spiritual power comes from humble service.

2)    Those who truly love the Lord and the church are worthy of being honored.

 

1Cor. 16:17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas Fortunatus and Achaicus for what was lacking on your part they supplied.

YLT: “and I rejoice over the presence of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus because the lack of you did these fill up;”

Literal Meaning:I am glad about the coming of Stephanas Fortunatus and Achaicus the three ones might be the brethren whom were sent by the church in Corinth to send the epistle to Paul (see 1Cor. 7:1). Probably Paul might ask them to bring this epistle back to Corinth.

“For what was lacking on your part they supplied” the passions of the three brothers to Paul made him feel that they had offset the indifference of the church in Corinth to him.

 

1Cor. 16:18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

YLT: “for they did refresh my spirit and yours; acknowledge ye therefore those who such.”

Literal Meaning: “for they refreshed my spirit and yours” the fellowship and relationship of believers should be kept in spirit not in the affection of soul so as not to cause abnormal unions or divisions.

Therefore acknowledge such men.” “Acknowledge”: thorough knowledge or the knowledge of one’s identity;

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Those who can provide something for others and refresh their spirits should be “acknowledged”. This is a principle of spiritual power. Spiritual power comes from spiritual provision. Where there is no provision there is no power.

2)    The first epistle to the Corinthians makes mention of both taking away someone from the church and acknowledging someone for the church is a lump as well as a body. All the organs in one body affect one another. What can destroy the whole lump should be taken away from the church (1Cor. 5). Meanwhile what can make all joyful and profitable should be honored.

 

1Cor. 16:19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord with the church that is in their house.

YLT: “Salute you do the assemblies of Asia; salute you much in the Lord do Aquilas and Priscilla with the assembly in their house;”

Literal Meaning: “the churches of Asia greet you” “Asia” was a province in Rome which was located in the western part of Turkey; “the churches of Asia” included the churches in Ephesus Colosse Laodiceans and etc.

“Aquila and Priscilla … with the church that is in their house” Aquila and Priscilla had built the church in Corinth with Paul together (Acts 18:1-4) and were now in Ephesus with Paul (see Acts 18:24 26; 19:1).

“Greet you heartily in the Lord” all of them greet heartily and warmly for they are saints in the Lord.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Wherever the couple of Aquila and Priscilla moved they always opened their house for the gathering of the church (see Rom. 16:3-5). We should also learn from their example to open our houses to receive the saints or family gatherings.

2)    The friendship of brothers and sisters are not on account of familiarity but of the fact that we are of the Lord and love for the sake of the Lord.

 

1Cor. 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

YLT: “salute you do all the brethren; salute ye one another in an holy kiss.”

Literal Meaning: “all the brethren greet you” the greeting in the previous verse is corporate and here it is personal.

Greet one another with a holy kiss” “greet … with a kiss” the manner of the easterners’ greeting was adopted by the church (see 1Pet. 5:14). Now the Orthodox Church in Greece still continued to use this courtesy in special occasion.

 

1Cor. 16:21 The salutation with my own hand--Paul's.

YLT: “The salutation of Paul with my hand;”

Literal Meaning: it seemed Paul habitually added a greeting at the end of his epistle which meant affixing his seal on the epistle (see Col. 4:18; Philemon 19; 2Thess. 3:17).

 

1Cor. 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ let him be accursed. O Lord come!

YLT: “if any one doth not love the Lord Jesus Christ -- let him be anathema! The Lord hath come!”

Literal Meaning: “if anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ one’s love to the Lord is an important element of a Christian. Here the “love” is not the divine superior or perfect love but totally individual friendly common and imperfect love. If we even have not such love to the Lord it is not right.

“Let him be accursed” “be accursed”: it is “be excommunicated” in the original;

O Lord come!” ---- It is the transliteration of Aramaic in the original. Possibly it was an idiom in the early church for the purpose of reminding one another or it was a prayer that hastens the Lord’s coming.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ let him be accursed. The Lord so loves us and gave his life to save us unconditionally so that we can enjoy into the abundant grace. If we do not love the Lord we are truly devoid of gratitude and only worthy of being accursed.

2)    If one does not love the Lord everything is of no value. He lives in curse all his life like those who are in the world and will be judged by the Lord when He comes again.

 

1Cor. 16:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

YLT: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ with you;”

Literal Meaning: this is a habitual blessing of Paul (see Gal. 6:18; Eph. 6:24; Phil. 4:23). At the outset of this book Paul wishes grace be with them (1Cor. 1:3) and here he still wish the grace of Jesus Christ be with them at the end of this book thus giving us a feeling of being encircled by grace.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The whole life of believers starts from God’s grace and ends in God’s grace. This grace is bestowed by the Lord of the church to those who are of Him.

2)    Christians need the Lord’s grace in life all the time.

 

1Cor. 16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

YLT: “my love with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

Literal Meaning: though Paul treated believers in Corinth with harsh words and looks he still wanted to let them know that he indeed loved those who believed Jesus Christ.

Enlightenment in the Word: though Paul judged the church in Corinth he still loved them. Such superior love without being affected by the condition of the object of love is by no means of man’s nature but is in “Christ Jesus”.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lesson

 

What Believers Should Know About the Collection for the Saints

A.  Time ---- on the first day of the week (v.2a);

B.  Way ---- lay aside and store up (v.2b);

C.  Deliverance ---- let the faithful one send (v.3-4);

 

See the Bowel of Paul from His Exhortations and Greetings

A.  He cared about believers in many places and the work of the gospel (v.5-9).

B.  He was concerned about the situation that the young fellow workers might be faced with (v.10-11).

C.  He honored the guidance of his fellow worker received from God (v.12).

D.  He exhorted the immature believers (v.13-14).

E.  He rejoiced over the labor of serving the saints (v.15-18).

F.   He cared whether believers loved the Lord or loved one another (v.19-24).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Mary Zhou