Study notes
1 Corinthians 16
16:1–4
Paul responds to the Corinthians' question about the donation for poor Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 24:17; Romans 15:25–27; Second Corinthians 8–9; Galatians 2:10).
16:1–24 Section
The Corinthian believers joined other Gentile churches in preparing an offering of money. It was for Jewish believers in Jerusalem who were needy.
Paul gave them instructions about preparing their gift in a proper and orderly way. Paul also wrote about this offering in Romans 15:25–28 and in 2 Corinthians 8–9. He hoped to visit the Corinthian church to collect the offering.
Paul mentioned several friends that he and the Corinthian believers knew. These friends were examples of people who work hard, give freely and serve others. Paul wanted the Corinthians to treat them well and to follow their example.
Paul closed his letter with commands about being prepared, being brave and being loving. This included telling the believers to greet each other with a holy kiss. This practice showed that believers accepted one another as family members. It also showed that they treated one another with respect and honour. It was a way to show their love for the Lord and all his people.
16:2
Christians gathered on the first day of each week (see Acts 20:7) instead of the last day, as in the Old Testament (Exodus 20:8; 34:21; Isaiah 58:13–14). The first day was called the "Lord's Day," marking the day of the Lord's resurrection (Mark 16:9; Luke 24:13–15; John 20:19; Revelation 1:10). The amount of money to give was not specified. Paul later encouraged them to give as generously as possible (2 Corinthians 8:1–4; 9:6–13; compare Luke 12:33–34; 21:1–4; 1 Timothy 6:18–19).
16:4
Paul delivered the gift to Jerusalem (Romans 15:25–26).
16:5
Paul traveled through Macedonia, a Roman province in northern Greece, during his second missionary journey (Acts 15:36–18:22).
He planned to travel through Macedonia again (See Acts 19:21; 20:1–3).
16:6–7
or even spend the winter: Paul evidently did visit during the winter (compare Acts 20:2–3).
16:8
Paul wrote this letter while he was in Ephesus, around AD 53 to 56 (Acts 19:1–20:1).
Pentecost occurred in May or June.
16:10
If Timothy comes: See 4:17. Timothy was Paul's spiritual child and co-worker (see 1 Timothy 1:2).
see to it that he has nothing to fear: Timothy might have been shy or tentative (2 Timothy 1:6–8).
16:11–12
our brother Apollos: Refer to study note on 1 Corinthians 1:12.
16:17
16:19
Aquila and Priscilla (also called Prisca in Greek) had moved from Corinth to Ephesus, where Paul wrote this letter (compare Acts 18:1–3).
the church that meets at their house: Aquila and Priscilla later continued this practice in Rome (see Romans 16:3–5).
16:19–24
Like in his other letters, Paul greets his friends and offers a blessing.
16:20
Greet one another with a holy kiss: People often greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek.
16:21
Paul ends the letter by writing a few words in his own handwriting. In those times, it was common for someone else to write down the letter as a secretary. Paul did this in this letter and in others (see Romans 16:22; Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17).
16:22
To be cursed means to be condemned by God (see also Romans 9:3; Galatians 1:8–9).
Come, O Lord!: Early Christians sometimes used this phrase in prayers (see also Revelation 22:20).
16:23–24
All of Paul's letters end with a blessing like this one.
Paul mentions grace at both the start and end of this letter (see 1:3).
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources