1 CORINTHIANS LESSON 28


     We will begin this lesson in I Corinthians 16:1 "Now concerning
the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches
of Galatia, even so do ye."

     It seems  this is the same directions as in Galations chapter 2
verse 10. Paul was concerned about the poverty stricken in Jerusalem.
It seemed  they had somewhat of an obligation to Jerusalem, since the
beginning of the church was there.

     I Corinthians 16:2 "Upon the first [day] of the week let every
one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that
there be no gatherings when I come."

     The church of the Lord Jesus Christ met on the first day of the
week. The Christians practice first fruits. This is just saying, take
up a collection when you meet and have it ready. Each person should
give according to what they can afford to give.

     I Corinthians 16:3 "And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve
by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto
Jerusalem."

     Paul did not want to handle the money himself, so he asked that
they choose some honorable member, who would go and take the offering
to the poor in Jerusalem. Paul is praising them for their help, in the
word "liberality".

     I Corinthians 16:4 "And if it be meet that I go also, they shall
go with me."

     Paul, had really not planned to go with them. He said it did not
matter if he were going, he still wanted someone else to carry the
offering. He would let the chosen person travel with him, but he
definitely did not want to carry the offering himself.

     I Corinthians 16:5 "Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass
through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia."

     Paul tried to go back to the churches he had started to check and
see how they were doing. Paul really wanted to wait a short time to
let them get the problems in their church taken care of before he
came. He loved these people and would come as soon as he was in their
vicinity.

     I Corinthians 16:6 "And it may be that I will abide, yea, and
winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I
go."

     Paul did come and stay with them for a while. They loved Paul and
many of them would probably travel with him as he left. This would
show how badly they felt about his leaving.
     I Corinthians 16:7 "For I will not see you now by the way; but I
trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit."


     Notice that Paul says, if the Lord permit. He went where the Lord
sent him. He stayed until the Lord said, it is time to move on. Paul
wanted to stay in Corinth for a while, but would be subject to the
wishes of God.

     I Corinthians 16:8 "But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost."

     Paul had spent a great deal of time at Ephesus. This could have
been the trip when Paul had trouble with the silversmiths. Pentecost
meant a great deal to the Christians, as well as the Jews. At
Pentecost was when the Holy Spirit fell on 120, and they were all
baptized in the Holy ghost.

     I Corinthians 16:9 "For a great door and effectual is opened unto
me, and [there are] many adversaries."

     Paul was travelling from place to place and establishing churches
along the way. He faced much opposition from the Jews during these
trips. He was not only fighting all types of idol worship, but his
greatest opposition was from the Jewish leaders themselves. The
opportunities were great, but the "adversaries" {enemies} were many,
as well.

     I Corinthians 16:10 "Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be
with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also
[do]."

     Timothy had been trained in the ways of the Lord by his mother
and his grandmother, but a great deal of his ministry training had
been from Paul. Paul thought of Timothy as his son in the spirit. When
Timothy ministered, it was as if Paul were ministering. Timothy was an
extension of the teachings of Paul. Paul is saying, it was the next
best thing to him being with them himself.

     I Corinthians 16:11 "Let no man therefore despise him: but
conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for
him with the brethren."

     This is just Paul giving the highest recommendation to Timothy to
those in Corinth. Paul tells them not to hate him. Perhaps, Paul was
afraid they would be jealous, because he thought so much of Timothy.

     I Corinthians 16:12 "As touching [our] brother Apollos, I greatly
desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not
at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have
convenient time."

     We must remember, again, that they had written a letter to Paul,
and this is an answer to that letter. These Christians here at Corinth
had probably asked in the letter for Appolos to come and minister to
them. He was, possibly, one of their favorite ministers. It, also,
seems that he was ministering somewhere else at the time and could not
come.

     I Corinthians 16:13 "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you
like men, be strong."

     This is a subject that I suppose I dwell on quite a lot. It is
just as important to remain in the salvation you have received as it
is to be saved in the first place. To "stand fast", means not to be
blown by every wind of doctrine. Be strong as men.

     I Corinthians 16:14 "Let all your things be done with charity."

     "Charity", here, is speaking of love. Paul is trying to teach
them that Christianity is a relationship with the Lord in your heart.
He is explaining to do things, because you love and not because of
necessity.

     I Corinthians 16:15 "I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house
of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and [that] they
have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)"

     Paul is reminding them here that these were some of the very
first Christians. They, also, had totally dedicated themselves to the
work of the Lord. Paul, possibly, was saying, even though they wrote
me of these problems in the church, you must not have hard
feelings about them. These things needed to be settled once for all.

     I Corinthians 16:16 "That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to
every one that helpeth with [us], and laboureth."

     Paul is explaining, that the new converts should listen to those
who had been in the work longer and who had dedicated their lives to
the work of the Lord.

     I Corinthians 16:17 "I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and
Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they
have supplied."

     These were people who had come to minister to them in the things
they were weak in. They had filled in the gaps in your spiritual
learning.

     I Corinthians 16:18 "For they have refreshed my spirit and yours:
therefore acknowledge ye them that are such."

     One really great thing that happens when a group of old seasoned
ministers get together, is that we refresh each other's spirit. There
is no room for jealousy in the ministry. Meet with other ministers,
and share what God has shown you, and all will benefit by it.

     I Corinthians 16:19 "The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and
Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in
their house."

     We remember that Priscilla and Aquilla were a husband and wife
that Paul had lived with. In fact, Paul had been a tent maker with
them to make a living. They were both teachers of the Word of God and
they, also, opened their home as a church. They were all three
responsible for founding the church in Corinth and in Ephesus. The
following Scripture shows that both of them taught. Acts 18:26 "And he
began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla
had heard, they took him unto [them], and expounded unto him the way
of God more perfectly."

     I Corinthians 16:20 "All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one
another with an holy kiss."

     It was not unusual in these days for a man to kiss another man in
greeting. He did not kiss him on the lips, but on the cheek. Notice
the type of this kiss {holy}. Paul is saying, do not be distant to
your brothers in Christ. Show that you care for each other.

     I Corinthians 16:21 "The salutation of [me] Paul with mine own
hand."

     Paul is just saying that this is not second-hand information, but
from him personally. He greets them personally.

     I Corinthians 16:22 "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ,
let him be Anathema Maranatha."

     "Anathema" seems to mean excommunicated. Love of the Lord and the
Lord's people is really the essence of Christianity. To not love the
Lord would mean that you had rejected the Lord. You would just
automatically cut yourself off, if you did not love the Lord. Of
course, I think that is terribly important. Look at the title of these
Bible studies.

     I Corinthians 16:23 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with
you."

     This statement is a trademark of Paul. This is like speaking a
benediction on them. It is actually a prayer of Paul's for them to
continue in the unmerited favor of the Lord.

     I Corinthians 16:24 "My love [be] with you all in Christ Jesus.
Amen."

     Paul is just saying, I love you. You are my spiritual children.
Paul knows the only way to truly love people is to allow the Lord to
love them through you. Amen, just means, so be it.





                      1 Corinthians 28 Questions


1.  What other church had Paul spoken to about the collection for the
    saints?
2.  What saints was Paul speaking of?
3.  Why did they have somewhat of an obligation there?
4.  What day of the week did the church of the Lord Jesus meet?
5.  Christians practice ______________.
6.  How much should each person give?
7.  Who was to take the money to Jerusalem?
8.  What does the word "liberality" show us?
9.  Would Paul be willing to carry the offering?
10. When was Paul planning to come to Corinth?
11. Why did Paul not want to come immediately?
12. What would show how badly they felt about Paul leaving?
13. What were the 4 important words in verse 7?
14. How long would Paul tarry at Ephesus?
15. What young man did Paul train and even think of him as his
    spiritual son?
16. Who had they wished would come and minister?
17. Stand fast in the ______.
18. Let all your things be done with _______.
19. Who had refreshed Paul's spirit?
20. Who were Aquilla and Priscilla?
21. Which one of them taught the Word of God?
22. How did Paul tell them to greet each other?
23. What does "Anathema Marantha" mean?
24. What benediction did Paul speak on them?
25. How is the only way to truly love others?