SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 16
MEMORY VERSE:
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
THE COLLECTION FOR GOD’S PEOPLE (vs. 1-4)
Paul’s instruction about the collection for God’s people:
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. The, 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.
PERSONAL REQUESTS (vs. 5-18)
- After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you and stay with you a while or even spend the winter so that you can help me on my journey wherever I go. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me. (vs. 5-9)
- If Timothy comes, accept him for he is carrying on the work of the Lord. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. (vs. 10-11)
- I strongly urged brother Apollos to go with the brothers when he had the opportunity. (v. 12)
- Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. (v. 13)
- 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. Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus have supplied what was lacking from you and they also refreshed my spirit. They deserve recognition.
FINAL GREETINGS (vs. 19-24)
- 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. (v. 19)
- All the brothers here send you a greeting. (v. 20a)
- Greet one another with a holy kiss. (v. 20b)
- I, Paul, write this greeting personally. (v. 21)
BENEDICTION: (v. 23-24)
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen”
THOUGHTS:
The Christians in Jerusalem were suffering from poverty and famine. He suggested the believers in Corinth to set aside a certain amount each week and give it to the church until he arrived to take it on to Jerusalem. When he finally arrived, he took the gift and delivered it to the Jerusalem church.
Paul had worked closely with Timothy and was sending him ahead to Corinth. Although Timothy was young, Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to welcome him because he was doing the Lord’s work.
As the Corinthian believers awaited for Paul’s next visit, Paul instructed them to be on guard against spiritual dangers, to stand firm in faith, to be courageous, to be strong and to do everything with kindness and in love. Today, as we await for Christ’s return, we should also follow Paul’s instructions.
Aquila and Priscilla were tentmakers whom Paul had met in Corinth. They followed Paul to Ephesus and helped Paul to teach others about Jesus.