Chapter 16
V1-2 Paul gives the Corinthian ecclesia some suggestions on when to collect gifts or alms for the saints. This in no wise replaces observance of the Sabbath, and Paul was not even remotely hinting on the public worship of Elohim in the synagogues by the congregation on a Sabbath (as was practised at all times even in his day), being changed to Sunday worship. Many a preacher has cited this section of scripture as being a mandate for Sunday worship, to the extent of even calling Sunday the Sabbath day. It is important that I point out at this juncture that it is not technically correct to say that Yeshua rose from the dead on a Sunday either. He rose in the early hours of the first day of the week, of which commences at sunset of Saturday. If Yeshua was as is erroneously believed, crucified on a Friday, it is impossible for 3 nights and 3 days to line up with a Sunday morning resurrection anyway.
Rather Yeshua fulfilled the defeat of Satan and his kingdom as was typified in Ex 14:19-21. The battle occurred all night, the antitype being Yeshua resurrecting in the night of Saturday, defeating evil, and by so doing the redemptive power of His blood that delivers from the kingdom of Satan, coming into force. Having died on a Wednesday at the ninth hour which is 3pm, as the hours in Jerusalem were counted from 6am, Yeshua was buried before the High Sabbath i.e. the 1st day of unleavened bread, which began at sunset of that Wednesday cf Lk 23:54-56; Jn 19:31,42.
Yeshua then spent 3 full nights i.e. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night, and 3 full days i.e. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the grave. Mary Magdalene wanted to visit the tomb as soon as possible after the Sabbath, which would have ended on Saturday at sunset, of which the first day of the week commenced, not Sunday! Jn 20:1 clearly outlines that it was yet dark. Mk 16:9 and Lk 24:1 also further clarify that the tomb was visited early on the first day of the week, very early in the morning.
Yeshua had already risen and His body was absent before this visit. No matter which angle we analyse this from scripture Yeshua did not rise on a Sunday, but on Saturday after the full 3 days and nights were complete as prophesied by Him in Matt 12:40. It is hence a fallacy to justify Sunday worship instead of congregating on a Saturday as the early ecclesia did, as firstly scripture does not give this change any accreditation as is falsely claimed, and secondly Yeshua did not even rise on Sunday but on Saturday, effectively rendering the so-called Lord’s day as a Saturday!
V3-4 Further arrangements were made for collection of money to be distributed to the poor saints. Paul suggested that some saints be appointed to deliver the collection rather than himself, unless he was deemed axios/befitting of such a duty too. Paul was so humble as to feel unworthy to handle collections for the saints. It was meticulously organised for accountability’s sake, so as not to give room of suspicion of any syphoning of the collection into the pockets of those handling it, as is typical in churches of today, where pastors take control of collections, and are enriched by them instead of the poor saints benefitting. This giving was encouraged by other apostles cf Gal 2:9-10; Acts 11:27-30.
V5-8 Paul then laid out his anticipated itinerary which needs no further commentary.
V9 There indeed was great opportunity for evangelism and winning of souls in Ephesus, coupled with great peril from the adversaries of the gospel cf Acts 19:19-20,28-29
V10-11 cf 1 Tim 4:12 Timothy was a very young, yet spiritually mature man, whose outward youth may have led some to despise him and not respect him as they did the older apostles. Paul endorsed him greatly and was expecting to see him together with the brethren, in good shape. We must not deprecate young zealous saints, but give them an opportunity to serve Elohim fervently as elder members of the ecclesia. If anything, the elder members tend to have less fire in them, much to the detriment of the congregation.
V12 No particular reason is given as to why Apollos could not convene with the saints at that time, but Paul made it clear by this statement that there was no division between himself and Apollos, as there was in this Corinthian ecclesia which had created superfluous factions paying homage to each of these two leaders.
V13 The saints were admonished to gregoreuo/be cautious, steko/persevere in the faith, andrizomai/be brave as a man should be, krataioo/grow in strength spiritually. Our Christian walk is fraught with danger from the devil’s kingdom, which intensifies as we mature spiritually. Most fail to persevere and become either lukewarm, succumbing to temptation, or abandon the walk altogether. Both camps become an abomination in Yeshua’s sight cf Rev 3:16. Taking up the walk is no easy feat to endure and requires these four qualities mentioned by Paul, if one is to complete their race in victory cf Josh 1:6-8
V14 Every deed performed in our walk must be cross-checked by the Holy Spirit, to ensure we conduct ourselves in love, if we are to be accepted of Elohim.
V15-16 Stephanas and his household were Paul’s first converts in Corinth cf 1:16, hence his reference to them as the first fruits. They proved to be loyal to the faith, having been ordained to the ministry. The Corinthians already being divided, evidently had issues with submission to authority, which prompted Paul to urge them to respect these men of faith appointed unto them. The status of men tends to be honoured more than that of their service, which brings ruin to spiritual growth cf Jm 2:2-6.
V17-18 These 3 men mentioned must have been responsible for bringing the letters from the Corinthians to Paul, which had a list of questions for him to respond to. By so doing they were filling their deficiency, as Paul throughout this epistle which was sent back to them, supplied great instruction and revelation to the ecclesia in response to their pertinent issues which needed addressing. Paul urged the ecclesia to recognize and acknowledge such committed men of faith.
V19-20 Other faithful Christians are mentioned who were sending their regards to the ecclesia. Aquila and Priscilla had been very hospitable to Paul in his time of need, and bore the same profession cf Acts 18:1-3.
V21 Paul legitimises this section of the epistle as being scripted by himself, the rest having been dictated to his amanuenses cf v24.
V22 Instead of agape/brotherly love, Paul uses the word phileo/affectionate love which is more profound and personal, of which we must have for our Saviour. The deeper meaning of anathema has been commented on in 12:3. Maranatha means our Adonai cometh. This was a reiteration by Paul of the imminent return of Yeshua, which every generation since has eagerly awaited.
V23-24 Paul signs off in his usual manner as other epistles.