1Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:
2On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed.
3Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
4And if it is advisable for me to go also, they can travel with me.
5After I go through Macedonia, however, I will come to you; for I will be going through Macedonia.
6Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.
7For I do not want to see you now only in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
8But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,
9because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.
10If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
11No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers.
12Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
13Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
14Do everything in love.
15You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers,
16to submit to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.
17I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.
18For they refreshed my spirit and yours as well. Show your appreciation, therefore, to such men.
19The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
20All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.
22If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord!
23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 Corinthians 16 Verse Notes
1 Cor 16:1-4
The Collection as a symbol of Jew-Gentile equality
Paul organized a collection among his Gentile converts to aid the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, who were suffering from famine. This 'collection for the saints' was not merely an act of charity but a tangible demonstration of the equality between Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ. Paul viewed this act of giving as central to his gospel message, symbolizing that Gentiles, having received spiritual blessings from the Jews, could now share material blessings in return.
Summarized by AI · Through the Eye of a Needle: Jesus's Teachings on Wealth and Their Modern Relevance · Lecture 6: Wealth in the Wake of Jesus · watch the clip
Early Christian Almsgiving and Collections
From the first century, Christians began collecting funds to support those in need, a practice notably championed by Paul for the saints in Jerusalem during a time of hardship. This emphasis on contributing to the destitute became a distinguishing feature of early Christian communities, contrasting with the Greek and Roman worlds where such public collections for the poor were not common.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Is Christianity Good for the World? · watch the clip
1 Cor 16:2
Shift to Sunday Worship
Early Jewish followers of Jesus likely continued to participate in synagogues, possibly observing both Saturday Sabbath and Sunday gatherings. Paul's letters indicate that Christians were gathering on the first day of the week (Sunday) for collections. The Book of Revelation refers to Sunday as 'the Lord's day.' This shift to Sunday worship is sensible, as it commemorates Jesus's resurrection, which tradition places on the third day after his crucifixion, a Sunday.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Pontius Pilate in a Different Light: A Little Known Apocryphal Gospel · watch the clip
1 Cor 16:5-8
Paul Writes First Corinthians from Ephesus as Apollos Divides Corinth
Hugo Mendez uses 1 Corinthians 16 to place Paul in Ephesus when he wrote: the churches of Asia and Aquila and Priscilla send greetings, Paul says he will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, and he plans to visit Corinth after passing through Macedonia, perhaps for the winter. He notes that Acts 19:1 puts Apollos at Corinth while Paul came to Ephesus, which looks like this same moment, and that in 1 Corinthians 3:6 Paul says he planted and Apollos watered. The arrival of Apollos, a young charismatic figure drawing his own following, had led to fractures and factional rivalry in the church at Corinth.
Summarized by AI · The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible · Lecture 19: Paul’s Churches | Inventing Christian Communities · watch the clip
1 Cor 16:19
Paul Writes First Corinthians from Ephesus as Apollos Divides Corinth
Hugo Mendez uses 1 Corinthians 16 to place Paul in Ephesus when he wrote: the churches of Asia and Aquila and Priscilla send greetings, Paul says he will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, and he plans to visit Corinth after passing through Macedonia, perhaps for the winter. He notes that Acts 19:1 puts Apollos at Corinth while Paul came to Ephesus, which looks like this same moment, and that in 1 Corinthians 3:6 Paul says he planted and Apollos watered. The arrival of Apollos, a young charismatic figure drawing his own following, had led to fractures and factional rivalry in the church at Corinth.
Summarized by AI · The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible · Lecture 19: Paul’s Churches | Inventing Christian Communities · watch the clip
