Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

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THE FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
UNIFIED FELLOWSHIP

Theme Verse: 15
[Greetings and Entreaties]

1 Corinthians 16:1-4 – Regarding Collections

1CO16:1 Regarding the collection for the Saints: 939 just as I ordered the congregations of Galatia, 940 so also I do you.
939 The collection for the Saints: Or, fund, contribution. Judging from this the early Christians took up a collection for their fellows in the Nazarene Community. We note these were not held by the church itself, but by the individual Christians in their homes. [Acts 24:17; Romans 15:26]
940 Just as I ordered the congregations of Galatia: This is not just an “order” for Corinth. Note Galatians 2:10.
1CO16:2 On the first day of the week 941 let each one of you save something as you may be prospering, 942 so that whenever I arrive collections do not occur then.
941 On the first day of the week: Or, Sunday. After the Sabbath, Saturday 6 PM.
942 Let each one of you save something as you may be prospering: Or, store, treasure up, set aside. Tithing one-tenth is not mention. The only injunctions in the Christian Bible to save are in order to have something to share with those in need. Note Ephesians 4:28 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19. We note no mention of a “tithe” or the contributing of one-tenth of their income.
1CO16:3 However, when I do come to you, appoint men by letters 943 and I will send that [collection] off to Jerusalem bearing your charitable gift.
943 Appoint men by letters: Or, approve, recommend. A regular practice among Jews and early Christians was the use of letters of appointment or recommendation. Compare 2 Corinthians 8:19. Letters of warning we also sent. [Acts 28:21]
1CO16:4 Now, if it turns out appropriate and I go also, they can journey together with me.

1 Corinthians 16:5-9 – Large Door of Activity

1CO16:5 I will visit you after I have passed through Macedonia for I am coming by means of Macedonia. 1CO16:6 It is possible I will visit you, and maybe even pass the winter, so that you may accompany me part way to wherever I may journey. 1CO16:7 For I do not wish just to see you as I am passing through, but I hope to spend some time with you if the Master should permit. 1CO16:8 However, I am remaining in Ephesus until Pentecost, 944
944 I am remaining in Ephesus until Pentecost: Paul does not do this to celebrate the Jewish festival but for the reasons he gives next. [Acts 19:1] His next phrase explains why he remains – a preaching opportunity among the hundreds of thousands present.
1CO16:9 for a great door of opportunity lies wide open 945 even though there are many opposers.
945 A great door of opportunity lies wide open: Or, wide and effective service. The Greek is actually ENERGES from which comes energy or energetic. [Acts 19:10]

1 Corinthians 16:10-18 – Godly Men

1CO16:10 Now, if Timothy 946 visits you see that he is without fear in your midst, 947 for he is active in the Master’s work, 948 just as I am.
946 Timothy: Paul has mentioned this possibility already at 1 Corinthians 4:17. Note who is co-author of 2 Corinthians 1:1, 19.
947 See that he is without fear in your midst: A young man on one of his first shepherding visits to such an urban congregation would prove timid and nervous. Particularly a congregation who has those who oppose Paul and his representatives. No Christian should be in fear within the Church, but unfortunately it does occur.
948 He is active in the Master’s work: Or, devoted. The Nazarene came preaching and making disciples of “the lost sheep of the House of Israel.” The “Lord’s work” is that of spreading the Gospel and making disciples just as Jesus commanded his apostles. [Matthew 28:19] Compare also Philippians 2:20 and 1 Timothy 4:14. [See notes on 1 Timothy 5:17, 18 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.]
1CO16:11 Do not let anyone treat him as nothing, 949 but all of you send him forth in peace so that he may come and visit me. I am waiting for him here with the brothers.
949 Do not let anyone treat him as nothing: Or, despise, slight, disrespect, look down on. Compare 1 Timothy 4:12.
1CO16:12 Now regarding brother Apollos 950 – I encouraged him several times to visit you with the brothers, but it was not his wish to visit you now. 951 He will come whenever he has the opportunity.
950 Apollos: A talented but relatively new disciple who was “mighty in Scripture.” Compare Acts 18:24; 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4, 5, 6, 22; 4:6.
951 It was not his wish to visit you now: Some think Apollos may have felt responsible for some of the disunity in Corinth and decided it best not to return there for a while. It is a thing, but sometimes some godly men cannot work together for a variety of reasons. Note Acts 15:39.
1CO16:13 Continue to remain awake, 952 standing firm in the Faith. 953 Be men! 954 Be mighty! 955
952 Continue to remain awake: Or, watch, on guard. Paul has already cautioned on this need at 1 Corinthians 11:30. [1 Thessalonians 5:6]
953 Standing firm in the Faith: Or, steadfast. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:58 and Philippians 1:27.
954 Be men: Or, be courageous, valiant.

955 Be mighty: Or, be strong, grow in strength. [Ephesians 6:10; Colossians 1:11]
1CO16:14 Let everything you do take place with compassionate affection. 956
956 Let everything you do take place with compassionate affection: See notes on 1 Corinthians 13 on the subject of AGAPE. The disciple of the Nazarene ought to be characterized by love in “everything you do.”
1CO16:15 Now, I encourage all of you brothers – you are aware that the house of Stephanas 957 is a firstfruits of Achaia, as well as determined to minister to the Saints. 958
957 Stephanas: See notes on 1 Corinthians 1:16.
958 Determined to minister to the Saints: Or, serve. The KJV uses “addicted.” Generally the word is related to the material and physical care of others.
1CO16:16 So also all of you should continue to subject yourselves to such men 959 and to everyone helping and laboring in the work. 960
959 Subject yourselves to such men: Or, submit, yield, put yourselves under. [Compare Hebrews 13:7, 17]
960 And to everyone helping and laboring in the work: Or, helpers and workers; NEB: to everyone who labours hard at our common task; BER: to every fellow-worker and earnest toiler. [Philippians 2:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:17]
1CO16:17 Now I rejoice over the presence of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have compensated for you absence. 1CO16:18 They have refreshed my spirit and yours.

1 Corinthians 16:19-20 – Greetings from Asia

1CO16:19 The congregations of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca 961 together with the congregation in their house 962 send you their greetings.
961 Aquila and Prisca: Compare Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19.
962 The congregation in their house: Compare Romans 16:5 and Philemon 2.
1CO16:20 All the brothers send their greetings. All of you greet one another with a holy kiss. 963
963 All of you greet one another with a holy kiss: Or, sacred kiss, kiss of the saints, sacred embrace. Cultures vary in their greetings: some bow, some shake hands, some embrace, some embrace with one, two, or even three kisses. Russian men kiss one another on the mouth. It is very difficult to embrace or kiss someone with whom you are not in harmony. Paul knows what he is doing here. He is asking them on receipt of his letter to embrace and kiss one another, despite their differences. Such a regular habit may go a long way in maintaining love and unity within the congregation. Compare notes on Romans 16:16. [Note Acts 20:37.]

1 Corinthians 16:21 – Paul’s Signature

1CO16:21 [Here is] my own greeting in my own signature. 964
964 [Here is] my own greeting in my own signature: Or, hand. Likely Paul dictated some letters, or a secretary in some other way assisted in its production. [2 Thessalonians 3:17; Philemon 19]

1 Corinthians 16:22-24 – Our Master, Come!

1CO16:22 If any person has no affection for the Master, let him be anathema. 965 Our Master, come! 966
965 If any person has no affection for the Master, let him be anathema: Or, love not; cursed. There were some evil men [and, women] in Corinth. Paul castigates these in 2 Corinthians. Compare Galatians 1:8.
966 Our Master, come: Or, RHM: the Master cometh. The phrase may be rendered either, “Our Lord has come,” or, “Our Lord is coming.” The phrase is not Greek, but Aramaic [Hebrew], MARAN ATHA. Some make it Maranatha. Since it is a Greek transliteration of the Aramaic perhaps it should just read so – Maranatha. Compare a similar phrase concluding Revelation. [Revelation 22:20]
1CO16:23 The unmerited favor of the Master Jesus be with all of you. 1CO16:24 My compassionate affection be with every one of you in Christ Jesus. 967
967 My compassionate affection be with every one of you in Christ Jesus: Or, love. See notes on AGAPE in 1 Corinthians 13.

Review Questions on Chapter Sixteen

What orders does Paul give regarding a collection?
What is Paul’s hope?
Why is he remaining in Ephesus?
What are some closing entreaties?
Who are some of the Christian men Paul mentions?
How should these be treated?
What are some greetings?
What does Paul exhort them to do?
What are Paul’s closing words?

Mark Heber Miller