1 Corinthians 16

The Explanation

The letter of 1 Corinthians is almost finished. In this last chapter, Paul writes about all sorts of practical things at once. It looks a bit like the end of a long letter to a friend, where you quickly want to say everything before the paper runs out.

First, Paul writes about money. Not for himself, but for the Christians in Jerusalem who were poor and hungry. He asks the church in Corinth to set something aside every Sunday. Not one huge gift at the last minute, but a little each week. Then, when Paul comes by, there is already something ready. Trusted people from the church will bring the gift to Jerusalem.

Then Paul talks about his travel plans. He wants to visit Corinth, but first he is going through Macedonia. In Ephesus, where he is now, a "great and effective door" has opened. That means many people want to hear about Jesus. But there are also many "adversaries," people who fight against him.

Paul also speaks about others. Timothy, a young helper, is coming. Paul asks the church not to look down on him because he is young. Apollos, another teacher, is not coming yet, even though Paul asked him.

Then Paul writes a short, powerful sentence: "Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong! Let all that you do be done in love."

At the end he greets many people. Aquila and Priscilla, a couple who had a church meeting in their own house. Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who came all the way to visit Paul and cheered him up. Paul says: they refreshed my spirit. That means they gave him new energy inside.

The very last lines Paul writes with his own hand. The rest was probably written by someone else while Paul spoke. But now he takes the pen himself and writes: "Come, Lord!" and "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

What Does This Mean?

You would almost think: a chapter full of greetings and travel plans, what can we do with that? But look carefully. Paul is not just saying goodbye. He shows what a church actually is. It is a group of people who care for each other, even when they live far apart. Corinth is in Greece. Jerusalem is much further away. And yet Paul says: your money helps them.

And notice this: Paul is honest. He says a door has opened, but there are also enemies. He does not pretend everything is easy. He does not hide that Apollos did not want to come. He does not act as if he himself is the greatest. He needs friends like Stephanas to encourage him.

Verses 13 and 14 are like the heart of the chapter. Watch out. Stand firm. Be strong. And do everything in love. Being strong without love becomes hard and cold. Loving without standing firm becomes weak. Both belong together.

The Common Thread

At the end of the chapter, Paul writes two Aramaic words that mean: "Come, Lord!" That was one of the very first Christian prayers. Christians said it to each other as a kind of secret code. It means: Jesus, come back soon.

That is the big line running through this chapter. Everything Paul does, collecting money, traveling, encouraging Timothy, greeting friends, all of it fits inside one big story: Jesus has come, Jesus is alive, and Jesus is coming back. Until then, His people take care of each other.

And Paul ends with "grace." Grace means: God gives you His love, even though you have not earned it. That is the last word of this whole long letter. Not a rule. Not a warning. Grace.

For You

You are probably not sending money to Jerusalem this week. But you can ask yourself: who around me needs something? Not always money. Sometimes attention. Sometimes a message. Sometimes just sitting next to someone at lunch.

And try to remember those four short commands. Watch. Stand firm. Be brave. Be strong. And underneath them all: do it in love. You can even write them somewhere, on the inside of your notebook. They fit your whole life.

Talk About It

Paul says you must be strong and brave, but everything in love. Can you think of a situation where being strong without love goes wrong?

Paul was cheered up by three friends who came to visit him. Who cheers you up when you feel tired or sad? And who can you cheer up?

Praying Together

Lord Jesus, thank You that Your church is a big family, all over the world. Help me to watch, to stand firm, to be brave and strong, and to do everything in love. Thank You for Your grace. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.