Daily Devotional Saturday 18th May 2024
by William Moody1 Corinthians 16
The Collection for the Saints
16:1 Now concerning1 the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
Plans for Travel
5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.
Final Instructions
12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will2 to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.
13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.
15 Now I urge you, brothers3—you know that the household4 of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.
Greetings
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!5 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Footnotes
[1] 16:1
The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians’ letter; see 7:1; also verse 12
[2] 16:12Or God’s will for him
[3] 16:15Or brothers and sisters; also verse 20
[4] 16:15Greek house
[5] 16:22Greek Maranatha (a transliteration of Aramaic) (ESV)
The concluding chapter of this letter deals with different practical matters, some greetings and some final guidance and encouragement.
A collection was to be made to help the believers in Jerusalem who were struggling materially (v1-4). The practice of regularly storing up beforehand for future need is good practice for any church.
Paul speaks of his plans to visit the church in Corinth again(v6-9) but encourages them to receive Timothy well who appears to have been fairly timid (v5-11).
Paul encourages the believers to stand firm and to act in love (v13-14). Paul speaks of being refreshed by believers (v17-18) and this is the purpose of him writing this letter, to refresh the Corinthians so they will persevere.
Paul finishes with both a challenge to love the Lord (v22) and his desire for these believers to experience grace and love (v23-24). This is what Paul’s ministry was all about and wonderfully we still benefit from it today through his writings. Be encouraged and strengthened in these writings of scripture.
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