Day 149 – Monday, July 28, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

1 Corinthians 16

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

Collection for the Saints

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: ² On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. ³ And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me. 

(1 Corinthians 16:1–4, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul is giving some final instructions in this chapter. One of them was for a collection to be taken every Sunday for those in Jerusalem.
• He furthered instructed them to choose a delegate to deliver this collection. This arrangement would be similar to a local church giving a portion of its tithes to its denomination for the operation of its overall ministries.

Personal Plans

⁵ Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). ⁶ And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.

⁸ But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. ⁹ For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

¹⁰ And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. ¹¹ Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

¹² Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time. 

(1 Corinthians 16:5–12, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul announces that he will be coming back to Corinth when he travels through Macedonia (Greece). He hopes to spend a long period (winter) with them, so he will not stop while just passing through.
• Paul informs the Corinthians that he is staying in Ephesus for a short period. God had given him favor in the midst of opposition.
• He instructs the Corinthians to receive Timothy if he visits, for he is doing the work of the Lord just like Paul. When he finished his visit in Corinth, they were to send him to Paul.
• Paul tells them that he encouraged Apollos to come to them, but Apollos had other urgent matters. He would visit later.

Final Exhortations

¹³ Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. ¹⁴ Let all that you do be done with love.

¹⁵ I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—¹⁶ that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

¹⁷ I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. ¹⁸ For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. 

(1 Corinthians 16:13–18, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Pauls’ final instructions to Corinth were included here:
  • Stand fast in the faith
  • Operate in love.
  • Submit to Stephanas and others over them in the Lord.
• Then he rejoiced that some from Corinth had visited him.

Greetings and a Solemn Farewell

¹⁹ The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. ²⁰ All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹ The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

²² If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ²⁴ My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

(1 Corinthians 16:19–24, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• In his final greetings, he mentioned the churches in Asia, his partners in ministry, Aquila and Priscilla, and the brethren. He gave them the encouragement to greet one another with a holy kiss, which was a sign of friendship and brotherhood.
• Paul pronounced a curse on those who do not love Jesus and called for the coming of the Lord.
• He closes with a blessing of grace and a pronouncement of his love.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.