Some Final Encouragement – 1 Corinthians 16

Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #149.  Today we’ll read 1st Corinthians chapter 16 together:  In this final chapter of the letter, Paul gives instructions about an offering to the Jerusalem church; talks about his travel plans; and gives some final encouragement.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Welcome

You did it again!  Can you believe it?  You have consumed seven books out of the 27 in the New Testament!  Wow, when I say it like that it doesn’t sound like we’re over halfway through, does it?  I’ve linked a chart in the transcript of this episode so you can see how many books have just a small handful of chapters.  When you scroll down the chart, you can see that after 2 Corinthians, all the books – with the exception of Hebrews and Revelation – are six chapters or less.  We’re gonna start zooming through!  I’m so proud of you.  Hang in there. 

Don’t forget to share your success on social media and tell someone about the podcast, so they can read God’s Word too!

1 Corinthians Chapter 16

Collection for the Jerusalem Church

Now about the collection for the saints: Do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches. On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come. When I arrive, I will send with letters those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it is suitable for me to go as well, they will travel with me.

Paul’s Travel Plans

I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia — for I will be traveling through Macedonia —  and perhaps I will remain with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go. I don’t want to see you now just in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me — yet many oppose me. If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. So let no one look down on him. Send him on his way in peace so that he can come to me, because I am expecting him with the brothers.

Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. However, he will come when he has an opportunity.

Final Exhortation

Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love.

Brothers and sisters, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the firstfruits of Achaia and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. I am delighted to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people.

Conclusion

The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla send you greetings warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home. All the brothers and sisters send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

This greeting is in my own hand — Paul. If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.

Closing Thoughts

You can tell that Paul doesn’t quite trust the Corinthians to be organized when he gets there, especially when it comes to this offering to those who were in need in Jerusalem.  Paul has such a soft spot in his heart for the church in Corinth.  He knows they know the Gospel and they have huge potential.  He really wanted to be able to say great things about this church so he gave them this little heads up; this little reminder.  “Okay, I’m coming to receive your offering and send it on to Jerusalem.  Put a little money away every week so you won’t be unprepared….”  The Macedonians had collected such a generous gift to send and they were much poorer than the Corinthians.  Paul didn’t want the church in Corinth to be embarrassed.  

The rest of the letter is letter stuff…greetings, travel plans, praises to Stephanas and his family and all their hard work in spreading the Gospel.  You might think his sign-off is a little harsh, but remember, Jesus said, if you love Me, you will obey Me.  Considering the shenanigans that had been going on in the Corinthian church, I think he probably wanted to end on a serious note.  Good advice.  Let’s pray.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You that all of Paul’s fatherly advice applies to us too.  We can learn much from the Corinthians, both their zeal and their blunders.  Thank You that You still love us; that You died for us even while we were still sinners.  I pray that what we have learned in this letter will go deep and that we will come back to it again and again.  I pray that all we do would glorify You, Lord.  I pray that we would take Paul’s words to heart when he says, “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love.  Amen

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.