1 Corinthians 16:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.

NIV: Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.

NASB: Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you are to do as well.

CSB: Now about the collection for the saints: Do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches.

NLT: Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia.

KJV: Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

NKJV: Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:

Prior chapters wrapped up the main points of Paul's long letter to the Corinthians. Now he turns to some important business matters before closing. He once again uses the phrase "now concerning," probably to indicate a response to something in the Corinthians' letter to him (1 Corinthians 7:1).

Scripture does not explain all the circumstances here. That suggests Paul had already told the Corinthians about the money he was raising for the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Perhaps they had written to ask him how to go about collecting and delivering the money. In 2 Corinthians 8–9, Paul will go into much greater detail about the campaign.

Paul's effort to deliver financial aid from the Gentile churches to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem served several purposes. For one, the need was great. The Jerusalem Christians were suffering terrible persecution for their faith in Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:14), which must have contributed to their devastating poverty (2 Corinthians 9:12). For another, Paul hoped to help heal the rift that had developed between the Jewish and non-Jewish believers. Third, Paul believed Gentile Christians owed a spiritual debt to their Jewish siblings in Christ, who came as Savior first to the Jews and then to all people (Romans 15:27).

Paul will give to the Corinthian church the same instructions about the collection for the "saints." In the Bible, this is always a broad term applied to all Christians. This follows Paul's previous instruction the churches in Galatia. These churches, established on his first missionary journey, included Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13—14).

First Corinthians 16:1–4 contains specific instructions to the Corinthians about a collection for poor Christians in Jerusalem. Each person must set aside some money on the first day of each week, meaning Sunday. The amount they give should be a percentage of their income from the following week. Paul does not plan to receive the money himself but to send those selected from Corinth to carry the money to Jerusalem. They may travel with him if they feel it is a good idea.

Having finished the main teaching parts of his letter, Paul wraps up with some matters of business. He tells the Corinthians how to gather funds for a special contribution. He describes his travel plans, including his plan to arrive there before winter. He warns them to treat Timothy well and commends a delegation from Corinth that have come to see him. He concludes with greetings from other believers, along with a curse and a blessing. He curses those who do not love the Lord—here apparently meaning false teachers—and prays the grace of the Lord on everyone else.

First Corinthians 16 concludes Paul's long letter to the church in Corinth with several business matters. He instructs them on how to prepare a special contribution for needy Christians in Jerusalem. He describes his plan to visit them in person after wrapping up his ministry in Ephesus and stopping by churches in Macedonia. He reveals that Timothy is coming to them more quickly and that Apollos is not. Finally, he commends a delegation from Corinth that has come to see him. His final words in the letter are a declaration of love for all of them.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.