Final Instructions and Closure
“Don't Forget…and Be Sure to Remember”
A verse-by-verse explanation of this section.
An overview of the principles and applications from this section.
Tying the section to life with God.
Historical, geographical, and grammatical enrichment of the commentary.
Suggested step-by-step group study of the section.
Zeroing the section in on daily life.
“Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities and necessities. Which communion, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Westminster Confession of Faith
Paul wrapped up this letter to the Corinthians by touching on several practical matters. He also expressed his hopes for the Corinthians’ continuing faithfulness to Christ.
“Don't Forget…and Be Sure to Remember”
Have you ever been about to leave a friend or loved one and found your mind racing with things to say. It often happens as you pull out of the driveway. “Don't forget…and remember…Oh yeah, be sure to….” Sometimes it is a hard simply to say good-bye.
That is the way Paul acted in this chapter. As he came to the end of this epistle, he had many more things to say. So he launched into some rapid-fire instructions.
Final Instructions and Closure
MAIN IDEA: Having dealt with a number of crucial doctrinal and practical issues in this epistle, Paul came to some final matters. This last chapter divides into three main parts: instructions on collections, general exhortations, and final greetings.
Instructions on Collections (16:1–4)
SUPPORTING IDEA: Because of a famine in Judea, churches in other areas took up collections to meet the needs of Judean Christians. Corinth was among those contributing churches. Paul took this opportunity to guide their famine relief mobilization.
16:1. Paul began this section with a phrase he had used before: Now about (peri de ). This phrase indicates that Paul replied to questions raised in a letter that the Corinthians had sent to him. They had asked about the proper procedures for the collection for God's people in Jerusalem.
The apostle was very practical here. He first mentioned that he had given similar directions to the Galatian churches. The Corinthians were not to bear a unique burden as they helped those suffering in Jerusalem. By this time famines had struck Judea, and terrible economic conditions followed. The church survived the first famine (about A.D. 46–47), having been warned of its approach by Agabus (Acts 11:28), but the next famine took its toll. As a result, Paul called on Gentile churches to remember their spiritual indebtedness to believers in Jerusalem (cf. Rom. 15:26–27).
Paul and Barnabas delivered relief to believers in Judea during the first famine (Acts 11:29–30), and Paul evidently used this method for the latter famines as well. Paul's gospel preaching often overshadowed this dimension of his ministry, but relief of the poor was an important part of his and the church's work (cf. Gal. 2:10). The church is obligated to care for poor brothers and sisters throughout the world.
16:2. Paul suggested a simple method for gathering funds. First, the Corinthians were to take a collection on the first day of every week. Paul mentioned the first day because it was the day on which early Christians gathered for worship and fellowship. This seems to have been the widespread practice of the church (Acts 20:7). Many interpreters have also drawn a connection between the first day and “the Lord's Day” (Rev. 1:10). This practice continues to this day as most Christians assemble for worship on the first day of each week.
Paul desired that the Corinthians offer money for the poor as a regular part of their corporate worship. Following the example of the early church, Christians throughout the centuries have included collecting alms for the poor as a regular part of their worship.
Second, Paul insisted that each one contribute. The apostle expected every Christian in Corinth to give to the collection. Yet, each person was not to give a specific amount, but an amount in keeping with his income. Paul required proportional giving. He did not state any particular amount to be given, nor did he indicate a specific percentage. The Old Testament practice of tithing (Num. 18:21–28; Mal. 3:8–10) probably lay behind the apostle's words as a basic guide. Even in the Old Testament, believers were to give according to their means rather than according to a flat rate. A similar practice should take place in the Christian church as well. Elsewhere, Paul also insisted that a heart of cheer and gladness should accompany Christian giving. To give grudgingly is not to fulfill the believer's obligation to give.
Third, the church was to be involved in saving…up the collection. Much like the storehouses of the Old Testament temple (Mal. 3:10), collections were to be taken up by the living temple of the New Testament. But the storing of these funds was for a specific purpose. When Paul came he did not want to be involved in gathering money himself. He wanted no collections when he arrived. Instead, he wanted to receive the money already gathered so that it could be taken quickly to Jerusalem.
16:3. Fourth, Paul was not about to assume the responsibility of transporting this money himself. He showed great practical wisdom in at least two ways. First, he knew that many accusations and temptations would come his way if he took the money himself. So he said he would give letters of introduction to the men the Corinthians approve[d]. Paul wanted other people to carry the money. Such a courier is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 8:18–19. Paul also planned to provide letters of recommendation so the believers in Jerusalem would know it was safe to receive money from the couriers. Similar letters of recommendation are mentioned in several passages (Acts 9:2; Rom. 16:1).
Beyond this, Paul himself did not appoint people to carry the money because he wanted the Corinthians to approve of a set of couriers. The Corinthians were to choose people whom they trusted and to send their collected money through their hands. Paul was not so foolish as to insist on his own choices. He knew that trust was important in this process. Rather than assert his authority, he gave the Corinthians the responsibility of choosing their representatives. The democratic spirit of the early church is evident in this action.
16:4. Finally, Paul added that the couriers could accompany him to Jerusalem if such action appeared to be advisable when it came time to transport the collection. Paul could not anticipate the circumstances they might face upon his arrival in Corinth. So he left the matter open-ended. Once again, Paul demonstrated great practical wisdom.
General Exhortations (16:5–18)
SUPPORTING IDEA: Paul touched briefly on a number of matters that were important to him: his own travels, Timothy, Apollos, and Stephanas.
16:5. Paul began this section with some reflections on his travel plans. He mentioned his hope that after going through Macedonia he would be able to come to the Corinthians. These were not immediate plans but more distant plans, since for the time being he planned to remain in Ephesus.
As he mentioned in 1 Corinthians 4:18–21, Paul worried that he might meet with resistance during his visit to Corinth. He may have written 1 Corinthians in part to clear up the Corinthians’ problems before his arrival so his visit would not be tumultuous. Interpreters generally agree that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus on the outbound leg of his third missionary journey, probably around A.D. 55 near the end of his stay in Ephesus.
The Book of Acts reveals that Paul wanted to travel from Ephesus to Jerusalem after going through Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 19:21). Corinth was located in the Roman province of Achaia. These plans may reflect Paul's intentions as stated in 1 Corinthians, since Acts 19:22 records also that Paul planned to stay in Asia (Ephesus?) a little longer, and that he dispatched Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia. Corinth was not in Macedonia, but in Achaia (immediately south of Macedonia). Thus, Timothy's trip to Macedonia made it possible that he might also visit Corinth. This compares favorably with Paul's statement, “If Timothy comes” (16:10). Paul did later travel through Macedonia into Greece, and thus perhaps to Corinth, but this trip probably took place after he wrote 2 Corinthians.
16:6. Paul also shared his need with the Corinthians. He wanted to spend the winter with them, allowing them to help him on his journey. The phrase help me on my journey translates the idea of the Greek word propempo, a technical term for providing aid to travelers in order to ensure safety and success. Propempo included provision of food, clothing, money, and traveling companions.
Paul had previously refused payment while laboring in Corinth, and this refusal had been the source of dissension among them. It is likely that Paul's detractors used his refusal to challenge his apostleship. His statement in this verse may represent a policy change toward the Corinthians, perhaps to conciliate them. Since his apostleship no longer should have been at issue, Paul welcomed their help as a practical aid to his missionary work.
16:7. Paul made certain that the Corinthians knew he had not delayed his visit because he was indifferent to their needs. On the contrary, he was waiting until he could spend some time with them. Of course, he qualified his plans with the recognition that he would do so only if the Lord permit[ed].
16:8–9. Instead of rushing to Corinth, Paul felt it right to stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost. His reasoning provides a valuable lesson for those seeking to determine the will of God in a ministry situation. Paul wanted to remain in Ephesus temporarily because a great door for effective work had opened for him. In other words, Paul saw that his efforts in Ephesus were succeeding. He recognized his success as an indication that he should continue to work in Ephesus.
Beyond this, Paul also saw resistance from the world as an indication that he should stay for a while. From his point of view, believers involved in godly ministry will suffer persecution from the world (2 Tim. 3:12). Jesus taught this as well (John 15:18–20). So Paul stayed in Ephesus because there were many who oppose[d] him. In this, the apostle demonstrated great sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's work. He also showed himself to be flexible, ready to change his plans as the Lord directed him.
16:10. The apostle's next general remarks concerned his student and friend Timothy. Paul had already mentioned Timothy in 4:17. This Timothy was the same pastor and missionary to whom Paul wrote 1 and 2 Timothy. Although the precise timing is not certain, Paul did send Timothy to visit the church at Corinth (Acts 19:22).
16:11. Paul apparently feared that some within the Corinthian church might not welcome Timothy. He ordered the church to make sure that Timothy had “nothing to fear” (16:10), and to accept him. Some interpreters suggest Timothy's youth caused some difficulties (1 Tim. 4:12). His close association with Paul may also have biased Paul's opponents against him. Timothy was a shy person (2 Tim. 1:7), and probably was in bad health (1 Tim. 5:23). Still, Paul insisted that Timothy was doing “the work of the Lord” (16:10), and that he should be treated well.
Paul also encouraged the church to send him on his way in peace. Paul must have feared that some people in the Corinthian church might fail to welcome Timothy and even try to hinder his ministerial travels. For this reason, Paul added that he was expecting him along with the brothers.
It is difficult to know which traveling brothers Paul had in mind here. He expressed his respect and love for these travelers by calling them brothers. According to Luke, Timothy traveled with Erastus (Acts 19:22), and Paul mentioned Timothy in the company of others as well (Rom. 16:21–23). Paul may have been referring to these people or to Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, or even to people otherwise unmentioned and unknown. In any case, Paul expected Timothy to return to him before his own departure for Corinth.
16:12. Paul's third set of general remarks began with the expression now about. This is the same phrase (peri de ) that Paul used throughout this epistle to introduce his responses to specific matters raised in the Corinthians’ letter to him. Paul's response concerned their mutual brother Apollos.
Apollos was well known in the early church for his eloquent speech (Acts 18:24–28). Paul knew Apollos to be a teacher who had watered the church that Paul himself had planted in Corinth. Some of Apollos's friends in the Corinthian church were so loyal to Apollos above all else that Paul rebuked them.
This passage does not mention what the Corinthians had asked about Apollos. Perhaps some had appealed to Paul to permit Apollos to pastor the church. Paul responded positively, in spite of the trouble caused by those who were overly loyal to Apollos, referring to him as a brother. Paul had even strongly urged Apollos to go to Corinth. He was confident that Apollos shared his views about the divisions in Corinth, and he recognized that Apollos was not the source of these divisions. Apollos was also to travel with the brothers. Once again, it is difficult to know precisely who these brothers were.
To forestall any misunderstandings, Paul stated expressly that, against Paul's urging, Apollos had been quite unwilling to go. Yet, Paul assured the Corinthians that Apollos would go to Corinth when he had the opportunity. Paul's strong urging of Apollos demonstrates that Paul understood the importance of godly church leadership.
16:13. From a logical point of view, this verse stands without much connection to its context. Paul appeared about to close the section with some final exhortations. But he decided to say more in 16:14–18. Such non-sequiturs appear in Paul's epistles from time to time (Rom. 16:1,17).
As a proleptic ending to this section, 16:13 gave five central Christian exhortations. First, Paul told the Corinthians to be on…guard. In the New Testament, this terminology frequently describes the expectation of Christ's return (Mark 13:35; 1 Thess. 5:6). Paul may have wanted the Corinthians to remain expectant of Christ's second coming. Looking vigilantly for the return of Christ implies a readiness that includes a lifestyle of holiness and service to Christ. Those who disbelieve give up hope of the return of Christ, but those who believe keep their eyes fixed on his return and live with that end in mind. On the other hand, Luke quoted Paul as using this language to exhort the Ephesian elders to guard against false teachers (Acts 20:31), and Paul himself used it to encourage alertness in prayer (Col. 4:2).
Second, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to stand firm in the faith. Paul frequently used this terminology to indicate the constancy with which believers should hold their commitments in the face of adversity and strife (Phil. 1:27; 4:1; 2 Thess. 2:15). The early church faced many challenges that tested believers’ faithfulness to Christ. So Paul encouraged the Corinthians to persevere in their faith.
The third and fourth exhortations are closely related. Paul told the Corinthians to be men of courage and to be strong. These expressions derive from several Old Testament passages in which people were encouraged to be strong and courageous as they faced opposition (Josh. 1:6–7; 2 Sam. 10:12). God calls Christians to a way of life that incites opposition from the world. He calls his people to enter a spiritual war in which opponents seek believers’ destruction and fight against believers’ goals. In this hostile world, it is essential that followers of Christ be courageous and strong. Christians can do this in the face of strong opposition because their victory is sure in Christ, who has already overcome the world (John 16:33).
16:14. Fifth, Paul wanted the Corinthians to remember the importance of a theme that he had emphasized many times in this epistle: love. He wanted them always to show love in everything. This reminder was very important for a church riddled with strife. Paul had exalted love as the highest ideal in this epistle. He reiterated this ideal so the Corinthians would not forget it. Love for God and neighbor was to motivate and govern everything they did.
16:15. These five exhortations would have served as a well-formed ending for this section of the epistle, but apparently the mention of “love” in 16:14 brought to mind several other issues that Paul thought he should mention. Thus, he urged the church to respect the leadership of particular men. Paul appealed to the Corinthians one last time as brothers because he wanted them to listen to what he had to say.
Paul first commended the household of Stephanas. They were among the earliest Christian converts in Achaia. Paul literally called them the “first-fruits.” The term firstfruits derives from the ceremonies of the Old Testament in which the first portion of a harvest was given to God as a representation of the entire harvest to follow (Deut. 26:1–11). Paul used this metaphor to indicate not only that Stephanas and his household were the first converts, but also that they were organically united with all who were converted after them. Stephanas and all the Corinthian converts were one in Christ. Beyond this, the household of Stephanas had been devoted…to the service of the saints. The Corinthians and other believers had benefited from the faithful work of Stephanas and his family. The Corinthians owed them a great spiritual debt.
16:16. For this reason, Paul urged his readers to submit to such as these. Stephanas was only one of many believers who had served the church faithfully. So Paul exhorted the Corinthians to show gratitude by submitting to everyone who join[ed] in the work and labor[ed] at it. Leadership in the church is a difficult responsibility. Those who lead are the lowest servants of all. Their long hours of toil and sacrifice often go unrecognized. For this reason, Paul and other New Testament writers exhorted believers to encourage their leaders by honoring them (Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5).
16:17–18. Paul added one more element to his discussion about Stephanas and his company. In 1:11 Paul had reported that some members of Chloe's household had brought informal reports about the Corinthian church. Paul's belief in the validity of these reports spurred his negative comments from time to time in this epistle. Nevertheless, this epistle also contains many words of encouragement. These positive encouragements may have come from the letter that Stephanas and his company delivered to Paul. Their report seems to have been a more complete picture. Paul was glad when they came because they…supplied what was lacking from the Corinthian congregation. The problems at Corinth troubled the apostle, and he grieved for the church's difficulties. Yet, the company of leaders encouraged Paul about the church in Corinth. They had refreshed Paul just as they encouraged the church in Corinth with positive words.
As a result, these men deserve[d] recognition. From Paul's special interest in the treatment of these men, it would seem that he feared the church would not receive them well. This worry may have been rooted in the church's divisions, and in Stephanas's association with Paul himself. The apostle encouraged the congregation to appreciate the ministries of these leaders. Leaders in the church can become bitter and negative because they deal constantly with problems. It is rare and precious when leaders can keep their eyes fixed on the positive work of God in the church. Paul was encouraged, and he wanted the Corinthian congregation to be encouraged as well.
Final Greetings (16:19–24)
SUPPORTING IDEA: Paul finally brought this letter to a close, including elements typical of his closings—greetings, blessings, and a brief note written in his own hand.
16:19–20a. Paul mentioned a number of Christians who sent greetings to the Corinthian church in order to remind these believers that they did not stand alone against the world. Many other believers stood united with the Christians at Corinth.
First, the churches in the province of Asia sent greetings. “Asia” referred to the Roman province of Asia, which occupied the western portion of modern Turkey, including Ephesus, from which Paul wrote this letter. Paul had ministered throughout Asia. He and his disciples had established churches in Ephesus, Colosse, Laodicia, and Hierapolis.
Second, he mentioned Aquila and Priscilla, who also greeted the Corinthians. Aquila was a Jew who had lived in Rome with his wife Priscilla, but both had been evicted from Rome by Emperor Claudius around A.D. 49 (Acts 18:2–3). They provided lodging for Paul during his visit in Corinth, and they traveled to Ephesus where they met Apollos and instructed him in the ways of Christ (Acts 18:24–26).
Third, Paul mentioned greetings from the church that met at their house. Early Christian churches customarily met in homes. Aquila and Priscilla had house churches in Ephesus and Rome (Rom. 16:5). Nympha and Philemon also held churches in their homes (Col. 4:15; Phlm. 2).
Fourth, Paul extended the greetings of all the brothers in Ephesus. All the believers who were with Paul at the time extended their warm affections and respect to the believers at Corinth.
16:20b. In light of the unity of faith and affection expressed in these various greetings, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to continue the same expressions of love to one another. They were to greet one another with a holy kiss. The exchange of kisses among family members and beloved friends was not unusual in the Mediterranean world of Paul's day. The custom was for men to touch cheeks in greeting. The adjective “holy” makes it plain that this practice connoted nothing sexual or romantic.
16:21. In line with the spirit of affection in the preceding verses, Paul himself penned a few words, noting that he wrote this greeting in his own hand. Although he used a secretary for most of his writing, Paul characteristically added a personal touch to his letters by writing a note in his own hand (Gal. 6:11; 2 Thess. 3:17). At times, Paul wrote with his own hand to authenticate a letter. Here, however, he extended a greeting to show his personal affection for the Corinthian believers.
16:22. Paul placed a curse on anyone who did not love the Lord. Similarly, in Galatians 1:9 Paul cursed all who taught other gospels than the one he preached. Although Paul was convinced that most people within the Corinthian church believed the gospel, he knew that every church also contains deceivers and liars. He declared that the Lord curses even people in the church if they do not love him. The realization that such deceivers infiltrate the church caused Paul to cry out, Come, O Lord. He prayed that Christ would punish those who brought trouble to the church through their pretense of faith.
16:23. Paul hoped good things for the Corinthian church. So he offered a blessing over them, praying that the grace of the Lord Jesus would be with the Corinthians. The apostle regularly closed his letters with blessings like this. Here he expressed his hope that the Corinthians would enjoy the grace of God throughout their lives.
16:24. Paul also declared his deep affection for the Corinthian believers. He sent his love to all of them in Christ Jesus. He practiced the love to which he had exhorted the Corinthians many times in this epistle. The most important emotion believers should have for one another is love. Paul left no doubt that his affection for the Corinthians was strong and sincere. To confirm his love for them, he added Amen, meaning, “may it be so.”
MAIN IDEA REVIEW: Having dealt with a number of crucial doctrinal and practical issues in this epistle, Paul came to some final matters. This last chapter divides into three main parts: instructions on collections, general exhortations, and final greetings.
In this chapter Paul brought matters to an end. He listed a number of issues he had left untouched and returned to his most important concern: love among the Corinthian believers.
PRINCIPLES
APPLICATIONS
I try to participate every year in a project known as “Angel Tree” that delivers Christmas presents from prison inmates to their children. This often takes me to some poor areas. I recall one home I visited in which a loving grandmother in her sixties cared for three grandchildren.
The grandmother was a dear Christian woman, active in her church, but she lived in abject poverty. She had no job, and she received no money from her grandchildren's father (who was in prison) or mother (who was a drug addict) to help feed the children she was raising. Because she was not the children's legal guardian, she also received no money for them from the government. Those in her church were evidently as poor as she was. She had to fish at a local pond to feed the family, and her home was in a terrible state of disrepair. Cockroaches covered the walls, floors, ceilings, and furniture. I was afraid to sit down, and I kept walking around the room to keep the bugs from crawling up my legs.
But as poor as this woman was, she gave what little she had to raising the grandchildren she loved. I, on the other hand, forgot about praying for her and her grandchildren after a couple weeks, and I never gave any money to help her.
God calls us to be like that grandmother, not to be like me. He wants the members of the Christian family to care for one another so deeply that they sacrifice to help one another. He wants us to love so much that we cannot stand to see one another suffering so that we give whatever we can to help. And he does not want us to do this just once. God calls us to a life of loving service for others.
At first it may seem difficult to apply such sections of Scripture as Paul's travel plans and greetings, but, as we look more closely, we can see that they have much to teach us. Through Paul's example as well as through his instruction, this chapter teaches us to support other believers, both materially and spiritually.
To a large degree, we modern Christians neglect the poor. Most of our churches set aside some money to help those in need, but not many of us as individuals are concerned about the needs of the poor. We leave those matters in the hands of our committees. Even then, because most Christians do not tithe, our committees have little to earmark for such charitable uses. We should follow Paul's exhortation that “each one” set aside something for the poor.
Perhaps our biggest problem is that we simply do not love people. Cold hearts indicate dead faith. Paul told us in chapter 13 that even if we give all we own to the poor, if we do not do this out of love, we gain nothing. Let us work on loving others, watching for opportunities to do good for others.
Lord Jesus, we hear the apostle Paul giving the Corinthians some important practical instructions. Help us to hear the intensity of his voice as the intensity of your voice. Make us a people who live our faith in practical ways. Amen.
A. Collection (16:1)
God has great concern for the poor. He commanded his people to care for the poor. The New Testament church shared this concern (Acts 4:34–35; Gal. 2:10). So when famines struck Judea, the church rallied to care for the poor by taking up a collection (Acts 11:28–30; Rom. 15:26–27).
Judea and other parts of the Mediterranean world experienced famines because of flooding, drought, or other harsh weather. Famines sometimes occurred even in areas that produced good crops. Several famines plagued the Mediterranean area between A.D. 46 and 54. It was the last of these that Paul was referring to when he wrote 1 Corinthians. Although conditions in Corinth were also bad, the Corinthians must have had enough food to survive.
Still, conditions were bad enough that he encouraged the Corinthians to delay marriages due to their own “present crisis” (7:26). Paul did not expect the Corinthians to give beyond their means, but he wanted them to share what they had to provide relief for the destitute believers in Judea.
B. Paul's Travels and Letters to the Corinthians (16:5–9)
Paul planted the Corinthian church on his second missionary journey. During at least part of the eighteen months Paul spent in Corinth, Gallio was proconsul of Achaia. Gallio held this post somewhere between A.D. 51 and 53, so Paul must have been in Corinth some time during this period. Shortly after leaving Corinth, Paul apparently ended his second missionary journey by returning to Antioch.
Paul then began his third missionary journey, traveling through Galatia and Phrygia, and stopping in Ephesus. The time that elapsed between Paul's departure from Corinth during his second missionary journey and his arrival in Ephesus during his third journey is uncertain. Still, the indications are that this period was relatively short. Paul stayed in Ephesus for approximately two years and three months. Commentators generally agree that he wrote 1 Corinthians near the end of this time. By the time he wrote 2 Corinthians, he had left Ephesus and was in Macedonia. This means that he wrote 2 Corinthians probably within about three months of having left Ephesus.
C. Paul's Own Hand (16:21)
Authors in the ancient world often made use of amanuenses, secretaries who wrote down what the authors told them to write. Amanuenses sometimes had freedom to write in their own words the ideas the authors related to them, and at other times they were bound to write these things verbatim. We may be certain that New Testament authors did not send out anything the amanuenses had written without first approving it. Not only did Paul use amanuenses (Gal. 6:11; Phlm. 19), but Peter did as well (1 Pet. 5:12). Paul often chose to add a personal touch (and a mark of authenticity) by writing a few words in his own handwriting at the end of the letter.
A. INTRODUCTION
B. COMMENTARY
C. CONCLUSION: GRANDMOTHER