Thursday, September 20, 2012

1 Corinthians 16


                We’ve arrived at the final chapter of 1 Corinthians.  Paul’s closing of this letter to the congregation in Corinth touches briefly on a variety of topics.

                First, Paul instructs the Corinthians to take a collection for the poor saints who lived in Jerusalem.  The poverty of these saints as a result of famine and persecution is noted also in Acts 11 and Galatians 2.  Paul commands that this collection be taken on the first day of the week, which was now the day on which God’s people met for worship, in commemoration of Christ’s resurrection.   Paul instructs that each person set aside for this collection “as God has prospered him,” and he makes arrangements for the transporting of that gift to those for whom it is intended.  While he lived on this earth, our Lord noted that the poor would always be with us.  Your church likely also takes a collection for the poor each Sunday.  In a day and a nation in which we are constantly tempted to bow down to the gods of wealth and material things,  you and I have the responsibility to ensure that we are giving as the Lord has prospered us.  “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). 

                Paul then notes his intentions to visit Corinth at a later time.  First, however, he had work to do in the city of Ephesus, “for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”  Striking, isn’t it, that Paul considered the opportunity to share the gospel in Ephesus a great and open door, in spite of many adversaries?  In weakness we often avoid doing the Lord’s work when we experience adversity.

                Paul then commends to them Timothy and instructs them to respect and encourage that young minister in his work.  He also notes Apollos’ intentions to come to Corinth at a later time, and then, in versus 15-18 Paul mentions the house of Stephanas, who had “addicted themselves to the ministry of saints.”  God used Paul mightily for the sake of the gospel in the early church, yet Paul knew very well that the health of the churches he had establish was not dependant on him or his work.  Rather, he recognized that God used the work of other ministers and the generosity of fellow saints for the benefit of the entire body.  He instructs God’s people to submit themselves to those who labored among them for their spiritual benefit.

                Four staccato commands compose verse 13: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”  The life of the Christian is a militant life.  In Ephesians 5 Paul writes similarly: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”  Then Paul inserts a reminder of his earlier instruction regarding the importance of love among fellow church members, which he import he also emphasizes in Colossians 3:12-14:   “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” 

                At the very end of the letter Paul pronounces a solemn curse upon those who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ, a curse that stands as a final warning to the Corinthians that they not be lead away from the simplicity of the gospel by those who were wise with the wisdom of the world.

His concluding prayer is my prayer for you this week: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.”
                

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