1 Corinthians 16
In this closing chapter, the Apostle Paul addressed two issuesraised by the Corinthian church: the collection of financial help for the mother church in Jerusalem and Apollosʼ return to Corinth.
Paul had initiated the project of supporting the saints in Jerusalem. This was raised not only with the church in Corinth but also with the churches of Galatia. The intent was to collect offerings from all these various churches and to send the collection to the church in Jerusalem. The church in Jerusalem was suffering financial need at that time and it might have been due to drought in that area and also to the support of many believers in poverty and persecution.
Paul was keen to encourage the churches in Asia and Macedonia to show practical love to those in Jerusalem. After all, the church inJerusalem had been a great benefit spiritually to those other churches,and now they ought to show Christian fellowship and gratitude inmeeting the Jerusalem churchʼs physical needs.
Also, Paul may have been keen to close the apparent gap between the churches founded from his ministry with the church in Jerusalem, assuring those in Jerusalem that the believers in Asia and Macedonia were genuine followers of Christ.
It is interesting to note Paulʼs approach in handling monetary gifts. He wanted the believers to give cheerfully without compulsion (see 2 Corinthians 9:7). That probably explains his instructions for them to put aside something every week so that when the time for the collection arrives, they need not give under pressure.
Also, Paul was careful to ask the church to nominate responsible individuals to bring the collection to Jerusalem. If Paul himself were to be involved, it would only be accompanying them in that task. The Apostle was careful that there was not even the appearance of dishonest handling of the monetary gift.
It would do today churches well to emulate Paulʼs call to practicallove and to careful handling of money in the ministry. John exhorted believers not only to love in words but in deeds (1 John 3:18). The misdeeds of churches today in the issue of money and finance have stumbled many unbelievers and surely grieved the heart of God.
Paul outlined his travel plans and his intention to visit the church in Corinth in the near future. The plans were admittedly tentative. He was keen to continue the ministry in Ephesus where opportunities abounded and he also intended to visit the congregations in Macedonia before coming to Corinth. The Apostle seemed to be led by the guidance of the Holy Spirit in his travel plans and also his discernment of the various needs in the different localities (see Acts16:6-10). His plans were therefore fluid and not confirmed; this led to misunderstanding subsequently with the church in Corinth when they perceived Paul as not honouring his word in his intention to visit them at a certain time.
Paul was also concerned for Timothy whom he sent to visit the church at Corinth. He had experienced a painful visit from certain individuals in Corinth and he did not want Timothy to experience a similar treatment when he arrived.
We see here the heart of Paul and his concern for his co-worker. Paul also expressed his encouragement of Apollos to visit Corinth but Apollos was not keen to do so at that point of time. This was to assure the Corinthian believers, especially those who had an affinity for Apollos, that there was no relationship problem between him and Apollos. He also indicated that Apollos would visit when he had the opportunity to do so.
In closing, Paul urged the believers to be vigilant and courageous in their faith, given the many false teachers and preachers in their midst. He also reiterated the supremacy of love, doing all things in love. They would remember that only Jesus could manifest such a quality of love: the Holy Spirit would enable those in Christ to increasingly grow to lovein this manner. Believers love because He first loves us; the message of the cross and Him crucified comes to the forefront again. In that light, the apostle also encouraged them to submit themselves to faithful workers in the faith and to give such ones recognition. He mentioned certain ones from their midst who were such individuals. Paul also sent greetings from Aquila, Priscilla and those meeting in their house, sending their love.