Chapter 16
Various Travel Plans
16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 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. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
Before closing this epistle Paul gives instructions regarding a collection that was apparently previously agreed upon. We are not given much information other than than the same instruction was given to the churches (plural) of Galatia (a sizable territory in Central Asia Minor, unknown number of churches, even the epistle known as Galatians is addressed to the churches in Galatia, see Galatians 1:2) and that the gift was to be sent to Jerusalem. He advises them to set aside what they can afford on the first day of the week and hold on to it, thus negating the need to make a special collection when he arrives. At that time he will write accreditation letters for those selected to carry the gift to validate the people as being legitimate carriers. Paul adds that if it seems necessary he is willing to go with them.
16:5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
If Paul was traveling on land he would need to travel through Macedonia (northern Greece today). He announces that he may spend the winter with them but he doesn’t plan on leaving Ephesus until Pentecost (late spring, early summer) as he has a lot of work to do there and it won’t go quickly as he is being opposed by others (see Acts 19:1-41).
16:10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 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.
Paul announces that his protégé Timothy is coming to Corinth, but then requests something strange, don’t intimidate him! We can get some insight in Paul’s first epistle to Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12a) It is likely Paul didn’t want him to feel he was not worthy to help or teach due to an age difference. Then once he is done doing what he came to do to, aid in his return to Paul.
16:12 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.
Apollos, who was first mentioned in chapter one (see 1 Corinthians 1:12, see also 1 Corinthians 3:4-6, 22; 4:6) was asked by Paul to visit Corinth but he was unable to come at that time, but will when he has the opportunity (see Acts 18:24; 19:1).
Closing Remarks
16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.
Paul closes his instructions with five final notes that are indispensable for every believer. The first is to remain vigilant by keeping your eyes on Jesus (remember anything that makes you turn away from Jesus, even for a moment, is evil). Next is to stand firm in your faith in God, no retreating! Followed by the odd statement to “act like men” (one Greek word ‘andrizesthe’, to behave with the wisdom and courage of a man), is essentially a call to be courageous followers of Jesus. Then “be strong” not just physically but also spiritually and emotionally. And the fifth and final note is the expectation that everything said and done to be done in love (Greek ‘agapē’).
16:15 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— 16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.
In desiring that believers treat other believers as fellow workers in the kingdom, Paul reminds them about the members of the Stephanas family (see 1 Corinthians 1:16) as being the first in their region (Achaia was the region where Corinth was located in, south of Macedonia, both now in Greece) and how they have devoted themselves to help other believers, and rejoice in their arrival. He tells them that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus should be given strong welcome as they helped him when they couldn’t. These names are only found in this epistle.
16:19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
In the typical style of Paul, he appends greetings from fellow believers. Both Aquila and his wife Prisca were fellow workers and traveled with Paul on occasion (see Acts 18:1-26). He then wants his readers to greet (Greek ‘aspasasthe’, to salute, to embrace) one another with a holy kiss.
16:21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
There is much speculation as to why Paul wrote this epistle himself or why he had to say it. It is likely to help them understand that he took this epistle seriously and since it pointed out several potentially embarrassing corrections that he respects their privacy by not dictating it. He ends with three points: 1) if anyone has no love for Jesus, let them be accursed, may He come! Maranatha! 2) The grace of God be with you; and 3) Paul’s love (agapē) be with all in Christ Jesus.
Considerations
Heavy Anticipation
As mentioned above, Paul addressed several points in this epistle that could have been rejected by the leadership of the church thus denying Paul’s authority over them. This is one area Christians today struggle with as they are often hit back by those piercing words, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1a, ESV) or similar. That verse is taken out of context, Jesus is not telling believers to not judge at all, but not to judge hypocritically. (Click here to see commentary for Matthew 7:1.) Paul’s admonishment was indeed appropriate and was not offered hypocritically, nonetheless he undoubtedly let out a sigh of relief when he heard that they received the epistle and began to comply with it.