We’ll read the passage. And as always I want to remind you that we will be reading the word of God: “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.” (Heb.~4:12)
Also, as always, I encourage you to read your Bibles every day. We all need to refresh the word of God in our minds and hearts continually.
Now let’s read the passage—1 Corinthians 16:1-24:
Collection for the Jerusalem Church
1Now about the collection for the saints: you should do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches. 2On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save to the extent that he prospers, so that no collections will need to be made when I come. 3And when I arrive, I will send those whom you recommend by letter to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem. 4If it is also suitable for me to go, they will travel with me.
Paul’s Travel Plans
5I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia—for I will be traveling through Macedonia— 6and perhaps I will remain with you, or even spend the winter, that you may send me on my way wherever I go. 7I don’t want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows. 8But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me. 10If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear from you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. 11Therefore no one should look down on him; but you should send him on his way in peace so he can come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.
12About our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. However, when he has time, he will come.
Final Exhortation
13Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong. 14Your every action must be done with love.
15Brothers, you know the household of Stephanas: they are the firstfruits of Achaia and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you 16also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. 17I am delighted over the presence of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because these men have made up for your absence. 18For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people.
Conclusion
19The churches of the Asian province greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home. 20All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. 22If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Maranatha! 23The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 24My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. (1Corinthians~16:1-24)
Last week Tom talked about the resurrection from the dead. There is nothing more important for us than the resurrection of the dead (aside from the obvious fact that nothing in more important than God himself). God has put eternity in our hearts. (Ecc. 3:11)
Jesus was raised from the dead. Through Jesus, we will be raised from the dead. We will be raised with bodies that are indestructible. Jesus was victorious over death, and through Jesus, we are victorious over death. “Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57)
In the last verse of chapter 15 the apostle Paul says, “Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1Co~15:58) That verse leads into today’s passage. Today’s passages has a number of topics, but remember the key verse (or key verses), “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong. Your every action must be done with love.”
You ask: “How do we rob You?”
“By not making the payments of 10 percent and the contributions. 9You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me. 10Bring the full 10 percent into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way,” says the Lord of Hosts. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure. 11I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your ground, and your vine in your field will not be barren,” says the Lord of Hosts. 12 “Then all the nations will consider you fortunate, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of Hosts. (Mal.~3:7-12)
This passage is frequently used to support the gospel of health and wealth. But this is not a passage by which you can manipulate God into making you rich. Shame on you if you think that. I believe that God does provide for people who offer their possessions for his work, but this is not a way to force him to do so.
Furthermore, this is written to the nation of Israel—the entire nation, in fact—not to individuals: “...yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me.” (verse 9) God was telling them that if they, the whole nation, obeyed his commands, they, the whole nation, would be prosperous. And, by the way, prosperity in the New Testament (as opposed to the Old Testament) generally means spiritual prosperity and not necessarily material prosperity.
One time, a long time ago, I was trying to get a certain consulting contract. I had been listening to someone teaching about tithing. I prayed and told God that if I got the contract, I would offer much more than a tenth of what I made. (Maybe it was a half. I can’t remember for sure.) I thought God would really make me rich and successful. Actually, I felt terrible—very guilty for doing such a thing. I was really resisting the Holy Spirit. I did get the contract. It was really hard to give up half of what I had made, but I did. And I was really, really glad when it was over.
What the apostle Paul is talking about in today’s passage is not the Old Testament tithe. It’s about a collection to help those who are in need in the church in Jerusalem. In fact, there is nothing at all said about tithing in the New Testament except that Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees, who were proud of the fact that they gave a tenth of the spices that they grew in their gardens, hypocrites. He said woe to them. He said that they were neglecting the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faith. They were full of greed. Today’s passage is about helping those who are in need—the Jerusalem church, not about tithing. (The Jewish Christians were despised by the Jewish leadership and probably had a hard time making a living. There are many places in the world today where Christians are despised and persecuted and have a hard time finding work.)
We’ll talk more about this—the collection—when we get to it in 2 Corinthians, but for now I’ll mention a few other things. Paul says that the collection should be taken weekly. The reason is that they would probably have put it off if until he came if they didn’t do it weekly.
Also, each individual was to contribute according to how prosperous he was. There was no specified percentage, so if you were very prosperous, you might contribute much more than ten percent. (Mooma’s uncle mentioned that in a church he pastored, he thought one family that was very prosperous contributed 90 percent.) If you are very poor, maybe you would not be able to contribute anything. However, the widow at the temple treasury contributed two tiny coins that were worth very little, but were all she had to live on. Jesus commented that she had offered more than any of the rich people.
Also, I might mention that the “gracious gift” Paul is talking about in verse 3 (I will send those whom you recommend by letter to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem) is actually your “grace”: “I will send those whom you recommend by letter to carry your grace to Jerusalem.” Grace is a sacrifice!
I’ll also mention a few things from 2 Corinthians (more when we get there). Paul says that taking the collection is not a command. He was encouraging the Corinthians not commanding them so that they would be able to show the genuineness of their love. (2 Cor. 8:8)
And also this: “Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not out of regret or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor.~9:7)
Let me ask you this—ask all of us: “Do you think the message of salvation—the gospel—is so wonderful that you are willing to sacrifice for people you don’t even know—except that they are your brothers and sisters in Christ?” Is your attitude one of grumbling and complaining or of rejoicing and thanksgiving? (I have to say that, although I pray about this all of the time, I still have a long way to go.)
There is much more to say. What about support for missionaries and ministries? What about helping those who are not believers? We’ll save that for another time.
Let’s go on. Let’s look at verse 5 through 7:
5I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia—for I will be traveling through Macedonia— 6and perhaps I will remain with you, or even spend the winter, that you may send me on my way wherever I go. 7I don’t want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows. (1 Corinthians 16:5-7)
Paul is talking about his plans. He wants to spend some time with the Corinthians, not just see them in passing. We absolutely need to spend time encouraging and teaching each other—even more so if you have a gift of teaching or encouraging. Just as we continually need the word of God, we need continual encouragement. The idea that you “lead someone to Christ” and then forget about him just doesn’t work.
But there’s something else. Paul says, “...and perhaps I will remain with you, or even spend the winter, that you may send me on my way wherever I go.” What does that mean—send me on my way? Here’s what I think. Let me read Acts 13:1-3:
1In the local church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them to.” 3Then, after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off. (Act~13:1-3)
After they had fasted, prayed and laid hands on them, they sent them off. And in the present situation, Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles, the apostle who had brought the gospel to the Corinthians and who had just written them, who had just written to the fleshly and worldly Corinthians, the baby Corinthians, wanted them to pray for him—to send him off with prayer. Not only that, I think he was telling them his plans (...for I will be traveling through Macedonia...) also so that they could pray for him. (Suppose someone around here tells us he is planning on going to Myanmar. Why do you suppose he would tell us about it?)
But there is still something else. Paul didn’t know where he would be going after he passed through Macedonia. He wasn’t even sure whether he would be able to stay with the Corinthians (perhaps I will remain with you). In Antioch (the passage I just read), the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them to.” He didn’t know where he was going when the Holy Spirit gave those instructions. And now Paul was still trusting the Holy Spirit to direct him. We can make plans, but unless they are according to God’s will, they will at best be a waste of time—a waste of the time God gave us. Pray about everything. Ask others to pray also.
Let’s look at verses 8 and 9:
8But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me. (1 Corinthians 16:8-9)
Make the most of every opportunity. It’s God who opened the door for Paul to have an effective ministry. It’s also God who give us opportunities to do his work. Many were opposing Paul, but he was staying in Ephesus because that’s where God wanted him to be. That’s where God work for Paul was.
If we stand firm for Christ, we will have opposition, too—both through people and direct spiritual opposition. Our enemy the devil wants to discourage us and make us afraid. And I believe that these verses that Paul wrote not just his passing on some interesting information but are also a request for prayer.
Let’s look at verses 10 and 11:
10If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear from you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. 11Therefore no one should look down on him; but you should send him on his way in peace so he can come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. (1 Corinthians 10, 11)
Timothy was a man of God. In 1 Timothy Paul wrote to Timothy, “Command and teach these things. No one should despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1Tim. 4:11-12) (We should be examples, too, by the way.) Anyway, the point is that we should evaluate people by their faithfulness to Christ and to the word of God, not by their age or appearance.
Verse 12:
12About our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. However, when he has time, he will come. (1 Corinthians 16:12)
Apollos was the one whom Priscilla and Aquila taught “the way of God” to more accurately. He was also one of the people whom the Corinthians had picked to form divisions over:
11For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by members of Chloe’s household, that there are quarrels among you. 12What I am saying is this: each of you says, “I’m with Paul,” or “I’m with Apollos,” or “I’m with Cephas,” or “I’m with Christ.” 13Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name? (1Corinthians~1:11-13)
Paul is referring to Apollos as “our brother”, not as someone to choose up side over.
Now let’s look at verses 13 and 14, the key verses:
13Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong. 14Your every action must be done with love. (1 Corinthians 16:13, 14)
What does it mean that your every action must be done in love? At first I thought, “I probably don’t brush my teeth in love.” But then I though, “Well, maybe—if I just ate some garlic bread.” But this has to do with your interaction with others, not with your daily activities of taking care of yourself. Think about how you interact with other people. Think about some of the things you have done and said even this morning. has your every action been motivated by love? (If it has been, expect to be translated directly to heaven at any time.) For the rest of us this is a command. It was for the Corinthians and it is for us, too. Our every action must be done in love.
Paul says, “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong.” It really takes faith and courage to always act in love. You remember the Lord’s instruction to Joshua, “Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go.” (Jos.~1:7) What is the summary of the “whole instruction” that the Lord’s servant Moses commanded the Israelites? [Anybody?] “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke~10:27) Ask the Lord to teach you how to do it. (And we kid about not praying to learn patience. But this one’s harder. Yet, it’s really the center of all God has commanded. So we are able to do it. Believe that you can do it.)
Let’s look at verses 15 through 18:
15Brothers, you know the household of Stephanas: they are the firstfruits of Achaia and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you 16also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. 17I am delighted over the presence of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because these men have made up for your absence. 18For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people. (1 Corinthians 16:15-18)
The household of Stephanas were evidently among the first believers in Corinth. The Corinthians evidently all knew them. We generally tend to follow designated leaders. But there are many people who are simply following our Lord Jesus and doing his will. Paul says nothing about the people he mentions here leading anyone. He says that rather they have devoted themselves serving the saints. Paul says to submit to such people. (Submit is a strong word!) Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus were also such people. They refreshed both Paul’s spirit and the spirits of the Corinthian believers. Do we refresh each other’s spirits?
Let’s look at verses 19 and 20:
19The churches of the Asian province greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home. 20All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. (1 Corinthians 16:19-20)
Here are Priscilla and Aquila who taught the gospel more adequately to Apollos. They are all staying connected together in Christ. There are hundreds of people who have been at LHF and have come and gone elsewhere. Maybe God called them to go elsewhere. We know them. They are part of the body of Christ. We need to stay connected with each other and pray for each other.
“Greet one another with a holy kiss.” When I say I think women should wear a head covering when they are praying or prophesying (or proclaiming the word of God). Tom always brings up that we don’t greet one another with a holy kiss.
I’m not sure just what a holy kiss is. It’s used several places in the New Testament—always by Paul, but Peter tells us to “greet one another with a kiss of love”. (1 Peter 5:14) It’s impossible to tell from the context of the New Testament what it is. The word that’s translated “kiss” is derived from the Greek word philos which means affectionate love (as opposed to romantic love or agape love—and by the way, the “kiss of love” that Peter talked about is a kiss of agape love). It seems clear that a “kiss” is a show of affection.
I looked up the word translated “kiss” in a Greek lexicon (that’s a dictionary, more or less) that is based on a much broader range of ancient Greek literature than just the Bible. It says that the word means “kiss” which I presume means you plant your lips on someone or something. I’m not sure whether or not there is any difference between an ordinary kiss and a holy kiss. I presume there is. But at least I can say with some confidence that the Corinthians were and we are commanded to greet each other with a show of affection. We need to greet each other with love.
By the way, Paul said, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1 –NIV) In today’s passage Paul was advocating a show of affection between Christians, something I presume he also practiced. Paul was following the example of Jesus. We know that Jesus loved us by sacrificing himself for us. He loved his enemies—agape love. Do you think he now also has affection for us?
Let’s look at the last four verses:
21This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. 22If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Maranatha! 23The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 24My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. (1Corinthians~16:21-24)
“If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him.” (Just so you know, the word “love” is the word for affection, not “agape” love.) “Maranatha” means in Aramaic (according to the footnote) “Our Lord come”. Are you looking forward to the coming of Jesus?
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
[Prayer]