Make Sense of 1st Corinthians CH16

Today we come to the end of our little “Making Sense of 1st Corinthians” adventure we started on Easter. Chapter 16 is the wrap-up to the letter. We need to keep in mind that the letter would have been read out loud to them in worship. It takes about an hour to read it. Keep that in mind the next time you think my sermons are too long. Ha.

The Corinthian church was a mess but Paul makes it clear how much he loves them in spite of all their petty divisions and one-upmanship. He still had great hope for them.

All those things Paul said in the letter, that for us have faded over the weeks and months of this message series, would have still been very fresh in their memory. They were probably feeling the sting of his sharp words about their disobedience to the Lord. He pointed out how they love human power and wisdom more than they love the wisdom of the Crucified One. Being divided in their loyalty between the different leaders in the church—Paul, Apollos, Peter. Being more into worldly pleasures, incest, lawsuits, prostitutes, hanging out and eating in pagan temples, loving these things more than they loved serving the Lord in faithful obedience. Sounds crazy listed out like this, doesn’t it? He said they were even childish about their spiritual gifts and how they behaved in worship—they wanted to look super spiritual so they could show off and impress their friends. Paul said they completely misunderstood what it means to worship God and love people. 

I’m sure some of them were feeling a little defensive. Maybe even angry. The guy reading the letter was probably a little concerned about getting lynched.

I picked this letter to do a deep dive because I think we struggle with some of the same things. Disobedience, unfaithfulness, sexual sin, loving the world more than the Lord, pretending to be all about Jesus while at the same time making very little effort to do what He said—love people the way God tells us to love people. The kind of love chapter 13 describes. I know us. I know we struggle with showing patience, kindness, not envying other people, not being arrogant or rude, not insisting on our own way, not being irritable or resentful toward people. Love is supposed to radiate from the church, these are the things us Christians are supposed to be known for. This is what our obedience to Jesus is supposed to look like. Hey, I’m on social media, too. I don’t think this kind of love is what NewChurch is known for. Do you?

I’m not saying this to condemn anyone. Jesus has all the grace we need. There’s no condemnation for anyone who turns back to Him and says, “Yeah. I’m sorry Lord. Help me to do better next time. I don’t want to smear Your name. Help me keep Your name holy. Help me love people.”

Chapter 15 ended with these words, and keep in mind that there were no chapter divisions in the original letter, so Paul ended the sermon part of his letter with these words:

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

“Therefore” meaning, “in light of everything I’ve been saying.” Meaning, the whole letter really. Now he’s going to bring up a very practical thing they can do in their labor for the Lord.

Chapter 16, verse one:

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 

Paul is taking up an offering for the church in Jerusalem. It was the mother church, the church home of the apostles, it’s the original sending congregation that helped plant all the other churches. But there was a famine and things were pretty tough in Jerusalem—they were going to get a lot tougher, too. Paul’s asking a bunch of churches to set some of their offering aside to help out. Seems like he’s stirring up a little friendly competition between the various churches. There were still a lot of people in the church, especially the Jews in Jerusalem, that were unsure about all these Gentile converts to Christianity. This offering was probably going to go a long way in smoothing over those strained relationships.

There are some other pretty interesting things we can pick up from this, too. 

They met for worship on the first day of the week, Sunday, rather than the traditional Sabbath which was Saturday. Christians had switched days. Why’d they do that? It might have had something to do with not interfering with the synagogues—Christians and Jews shared the space for a long time. It also had to do with Jesus rising from the dead on Sunday, “The Lord’s Day.” Sometimes I hear people criticize the church for worshiping on Sunday instead of keeping the original Sabbath. This verse is pretty much a slam-dunk defense for that.

Also, they were taking an offering during worship—this shows that’s also Biblical. People are so weird about money. Even Paul feels it. He wants them to set aside part of the offering each week before he shows up so he doesn’t have to talk about it once he gets there. It’s awkward. No one wants to talk about money. That’s why we have that offering board over there—you can see how things are going, I don’t have to bring it up very often. Making money is not the purpose or mission of the church but the mission does require funding, it always has—it doesn’t run on air. Paul says everyone is supposed to give according to what they can afford to give—”as he may prosper.” How much is that? Well, that’s between you and God. At the same time, God says 10%, a tithe, is a good place to start. God gives us everything, He’s extremely generous, He doesn’t need anything from us, but He knows we need to learn how to give. Otherwise, we tend to be very selfish and greedy. When I was a child, I was selfish and greedy like a child. When I became a man I put away childish things and started being generous with what God has blessed me with. I think the tithe is like training wheels.

Verse 3:

And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. 

“We’ll figure out who’s going to take the money to Jerusalem when I get there and give them letters of introduction. If you think I should go with them, then I will.”

Verse 5:

I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 

Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, Paul plans on going through Macedonia (which is southern Europe/Greece) and then showing up for an extended visit in Corinth. It’s perfectly good to make plans, we just want to hold them in our hands loosely, always ready for God to make adjustments as He wills.

Verse 8:

But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 

He’s writing this letter from Ephesus. He plans on staying there until Pentecost, which is in the late Spring, fifty days after Passover. Originally, Pentecost was a celebration of God giving the Law, the Ten Commandments, to Moses on Sinai with signs and wonders. In Acts chapter two, on the day of Pentecost, God miraculously gave the Gospel to all the nations, also with signs and wonders. So now Pentecost is a celebration of both law and Gospel. Pentecost was clearly very important to Christians.

He says that a wide door for effective ministry has swung open in Ephesus. The same place he said he had to fight wild beasts. The church got pretty big in Ephesus, they ended up renting THE LECTURE HALL OF TYRANNUS to hold worship—a school. Kind of like how we rent this auditorium except theirs was probably really cool looking. 

The door for sharing the Gospel was wide open in Ephesus. That also meant the door for massive opposition was just as big. One tends to go with the other. When the church is doing its job, the world and the devil will fight back. Usually by just tempting the people in the church to act hateful toward each other and toward anyone who looks at them funny. We shouldn’t confuse offending people by being a jerk with persecution for being a Christian.

Verse 10:

When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. 

Timothy was Paul’s protégé. His son in the faith. He was probably in his twenties at this point, he would be a little older when Paul writes in 1st Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise you for your youth.” Paul had stirred up the emotions of the people in Corinth, and he was going to send his timid, young pastor in training Timothy with the letter—he wanted to make sure he wasn’t feeding him to the lions. “You be nice to my boy Tim. I need him to come back in one piece—and he better bring a good report, too.”

We all do this. Even though we live in a culture that worships youth, we tend to look down on people who are younger than we are when it comes to listening to them. What do they know? Well, here’s the deal—when it comes to the church, pastors aren’t bringing their own word, they’re not bringing it on their own authority, they’re bringing God’s Word and the authority of Christ. We need young people to step up and do this, the next generation depends on it. 

Verse 12:

Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity. 

Remember Apollos? Some people in the church had made this rivalry between him and Paul. They said Apollos was a much better preacher, they were fans. Paul had called them out on it earlier in the book. He said Apollos was his partner in ministry—Paul planted, Apollos watered—God is the one who made it grow. So, it’s funny to me that Paul says he tried to talk him into going back to Corinth when they take this letter and he was like, “Um. Thanks but no thanks.” It was not at all his will to go back to Corinth. Probably a bit of a burn for his fans. He said he’ll visit when he gets around to it. I don’t know if it’s because he was busy ministering somewhere else or if he just wanted to minister ANYWHERE else. 

Verse 13 sounds like the theme verse for a Promise Keepers convention:

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 

This is a war cry. A battle shout. A call to arms. It is. It’s the kind of thing God has told His people all through the Bible. Moses told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” Joshua told the army of Israel, “Be strong and courageous.” Paul is saying the church is at war, “Be strong and courageous. Be watchful. Stay awake. Stay sober. Don’t let your guard down. The enemy is always circling the camp. Stand firm in the faith. Hold your ground. Act like men!” 

You too, ladies! Whenever the Bible says “brothers,” it includes the women. When it says “sisters,” it’s only talking about the females in the church. Kind of like “mankind” means all people, but “womankind” only means the ladies.

So act like men! Not children. Not cowards. Not sissies. This is war. You are the army of God. We’re surrounded by enemies—so with all our bravery, what are we supposed to do? What is our courage supposed to look like?

“Let everything you do be done in love!”

Say what? I thought this was war? I thought these were our enemies? Why can’t we punch them in the throat? 

Let everything you do and say and post be done in love. 

There’s two ways to get rid of an enemy. One way is to destroy them. Smash them in the head with a rock. But the other way is the way of the cross—which has been the whole point of this letter—the other way is to lay down your life for your enemy and make them your friend. There is no greater love than to lay down our life for someone. Jesus laid down His life for you while you were still His enemy. That’s what love looks like. That’s what we’re supposed to do. Lay down our life and make our enemies our friends. 

Verse 15:

Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 

I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people. 

These were the guys who came to visit Paul and told him about all the nonsense that was going on in the church. Some people might be a little agitated with their going and tattling on them. Stephanas was probably the guy reading the letter, wondering if he was going to be lynched after worship. Paul says they need to treat these men with respect. They were some of the first Christians in the area, they should be recognized for their faithful service. Paul’s glad they came to see him, he’s glad they told him what was going on. 

Sometimes when I thank someone for serving in the church they’re like, “Don’t thank me, I’m just serving the Lord, give Him all the glory.” That’s fine, I get it. Paul says, “Give recognition to such people.” I want you to do me a favor, think of someone at NewChurch that you appreciate what they bring to this ministry. Any aspect of it. Maybe you appreciate the way they smile and make you feel welcome. Maybe you notice that they’re always here, working hard, making things happen. Think of that person, and before you leave today—give them some recognition. Thank them. Tell them specifically what you appreciate about them. I mean it. If they’re not here, then text them or say something on Facebook and tag them. Can you do that?

Verse 19:

The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 

A big old, sloppy, wet, holy kiss. This is a cultural thing. He’s just saying to give a warm, affectionate greeting. It’s called a “holy kiss” because it’s not sexual or romantic. Probably on the cheek. When I was studying for the sermon this week, I couldn’t help but think of the kiss Judas used to betray Jesus. 

The churches in Asia—this isn’t what we think of as Asia. It’s talking about the Roman province that was called Asia. More like modern-day Turkey—it’s where Ephesus is.

Aquila and Prisca are Paul’s good friends and fellow tentmakers. They were originally from Corinth and left with Paul to start a church in Ephesus—currently the church was meeting in their house. She’s called Priscilla in other parts of the Bible. You definitely get the sense that Paul was very fond of them—Paul mentions them six times in his letters.

Verse 21:

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 

Paul usually dictated his letters to someone else who wrote them down for him, this is Paul signing the letter in his own handwriting. 

The next line, verse 22,  is interesting. It was probably a little catchphrase that the Christians said to each other. 

If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! 

Anyone who doesn’t love the Lord will go to hell. Please return, Lord! 

The church has a serious job to do—we have to share the love of Jesus with those who don’t love Him yet. Here’s a hint: we mostly do this by loving them. It’s not easy. It’s like hugging porcupines. That’s why Paul adds “Lord, please come back soon! This is exhausting.”

It’s more catchy in the original language, which is a combination of Greek and Aramaic. It’s kind of a play on words because they sound alike. Anathema Maranatha!

Paul ends the letter like he began, with grace. In chapter one he said, “grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” He ends with...

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

1 Corinthians 16:1–24

Start and end with grace. Always a good practice. Grace is unmerited favor. Forgiveness that a person doesn’t deserve. I have to tell myself this a hundred times a day, “Stay on the grace side of the fence, Frank.”

Every week we sing the blessing. “May the Lord bless you, may He keep you…” The first part is from the Old Testament book of Numbers: 

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, “This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “‘The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.’”’

“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:23–27

I love that image of the Lord looking at us like a massive spotlight, revealing everything, seeing us for who we really are—but with grace. Right there in the Old Testament. Grace.

The second part of the blessing we sing each week comes from the way Paul would sign his letters. My song specifically comes from 2nd Corinthians 13:14,

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 

Grace, love, and fellowship. That’s what this is all about. Seems like a perfect place to end. AMEN