* Jesus shows his disciples the widow who put her last penny in the collection box. The Dutch artist and poet Johannes Luyken (1649-1712) drew and etched this emblem and wrote the accompanying poem.
The artwork titled is "Jesus Sits Across from the Collection Box" and the ascribed Biblical passages are Mark 12, 2 Kings 12, and 1 Corinthians 16. The book's author is Luiken, Jan (1649-1712) and its title, "De schriftuurlyke geschiedenissen en gelykenissen van het Oude en Nieuwe Verbond / Vertoonende drie honderd zeven en dertig konstige figuuren ; verrykt met bybelse verklaaringen en stichtelyke verzen, door Joannes Luiken, met het leven van den dichter".
The online edition of this work in the public domain, i.e., not protected by copyright, has been produced by Pitts Theology Library, Emory University.
>1. What is the last subject for the congregation to take care of?
* 1 Corinthians 16:1 "Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do."
* Chapter 16 Overview.
Paul concludes his letter to the congregation at Corinth with an instruction, a personal request, and final greetings.
The Corinthian congregation meets on the first day of the week, Sunday. That is when he told them to gather together money to help the believers in Jerusalem. Judah was experiencing a severe drought. They were to plan and prepare according to their income to help fellow Christians. Helping other believers is a good part of life in Jesus.
Paul also encouraged hospitality toward traveling believers. At times I was stationary and accepted others into my abode. Now I find myself moving here and there often. In the last 15 months, I stayed at 8 different places. Some for a few days, others longer and still others I visited more than once. Some of these times the Lord's people and family welcomed me in. Most of the time I was alone renting. A few times I had guests. It is good to open my home and share time with believers.
* "Now about the collection for God's people" -Paul first arrival at Corinth is recorded in Acts 18:1. Silas and Timothy came to Paul in Corinth according Acts 18:5, and 1 Thessalonians 3:6. Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians and sent it to that church during his first stay at Corinth. About six months later in late 51 or early 52 A.D. Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians. Most believe that Paul wrote Galatians while in Corinth or perhaps when he arrived back at Antioch at the end of his second mission trip (late 52 A.D.)
Paul wrote this letter and the second while in Ephesus where he first planned to collect money for the believers in Jerusalem and Judea where there was a drought. Paul stopped at Corinth on the looped end to his third missionary journey where he penned the letter to the believers in Rome. He made a short stop in Ephesus and then went to Jerusalem. (56 A.D., Acts 20:2-38) Paul ended the third missionary trip in Jerusalem. He presented a gift that was collected for the poor and needy in Jerusalem. (57 A.D., Acts 20:39-21:16)
* "Do what I told the Galatian churches to do." -Apostle Paul had sent letter to all the congregations is Asia including Galatia and Corinth telling them to prepare gifts. Paul's letter would have required a response back to Paul. With the response the Corinthian's agreed to collect money, but they also had questions, thus starting an exchange of letters of which we have two.
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>Who is Paul referring to and why was he making a collection for them?
* "for God's people"
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>What day of the week were the congregation meeting on a regular basis? (2a)
* 1 Corinthians 16:2 "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made."
* "On the first day of every week" -According to Jewish calendar this is the day after the Sabbath, which we now call Sunday. The Jewish calendar name for all days were numbers with the exception for the seventh day which is call the Sabbath. The first day of the week is the actual Jewish name for the day we now call Sunday. The first church in Asia usually meet on Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead and walked out of the tomb. (Matthew 28:1; John 20:1, 7; Acts 20:7)
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>What was the plan Paul presented so they could collect money with as little of an impact to their needs?
* "each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income"
* "save it up"
* "so that when I come no collections will have to be made."
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>2.
* 1 Corinthians 16:3-4 "Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.
If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me."
* "Then, when I arrive" -The apostle again states that he plans on visiting them. According to Acts he did. See above.
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II. Personal Requests (16:5-18)
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* 1 Corinthians 16:5-7 "After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits."
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* 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 "But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me."
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* 1 Corinthians 16:10-11 "If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should refuse to accept him. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers."
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* 1 Corinthians 16:12 "Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity."
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>5.
* 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love."
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>6.
* 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 "You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it."
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* 1 Corinthians 16:17-18 "I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition."
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III. Final Greetings (16:19-24)
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* 1 Corinthians 16:19 "The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
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* 1 Corinthians 16:20 "All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss."
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>8.
* 1 Corinthians 16:21 "I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand."
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>9.
* 1 Corinthians 16:22 "If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!"
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>10.
* 1 Corinthians 16:23 "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen."
