Commentary on 1 Corinthians 16:1-9

Text in red, if any, are my additions.

THE COLLECTION FOR THE POOR IN JERUSALEM, AND THE APOSTLE’S FORTHCOMING VISIT TO CORINTH

A Summary of 1 Corinthians 16:1-9

In concluding his letter to the Corinthians St. Paul, according to his frequent practice, adds a few counsels and directions to his usual greeting and final benediction. He begins here by describing the way in which the collection for the faithful in Jerusalem should be made (1 Cor 16:1-4); and he hopes it will be completed and ready to be dispatched upon his arrival in Corinth soon after Pentecost (1 Cor 16:5-9).

1 Cor 16:1. Now concerning the collections that are made for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, so do ye also.

The collections. The singular is used in the Greek (λογιας). The way the Apostle begins to speak of this matter, “concerning,” etc., shows that it was among other things on which the Corinthians had sought his advice (1 Cor 7:1, 25; 8:1; 12:1).

For the saints, i.e., for the poor among the faithful of Jerusalem. St. Paul had spoken to the Corinthians on this subject in a previous letter which is now lost (1 Cor 5:9), and it is mentioned again in 2 Cor 8:1-24; 9:1-15 and in Rom 15:26. (“It is mentioned again,” i.e., the collection, not the letter).

When Paul and Barnabas went forth to convert the Gentiles, they promised to be mindful of the poor in the Holy City (Gal 2:9 ff.). As we know from Josephus, Palestine was very much disorganized at this time. This circumstance, together with the fact that the Christians were at all times objects of special hate and persecution, made their poverty and destitution such that systematic efforts had to be exerted on their behalf throughout the Gentile Churches.

We know nothing about the particulars of the Galatian collection here referred to.

The collectis of the Vulgate should be singular, to agree with the Greek.

1 Cor 16:2. On the first day of the week let every one of you put apart with himself, laying up what it shall well please him; that when I come, the collections be not then to be made.

On the first day, etc. Better, “Every first day of the week” (κατα μιαν σαββατων), i.e., every Sunday, which, as we know also from Acts 20:7; Rev 1:10, had been already substituted for the Sabbath. It is certain that the Christians from the beginning kept Sunday holy, instead of the Sabbath, in honor of our Lord’s Resurrection. The first explicit evidence, however, which we have that Sunday was called the Lord’s day is in Rev 1:10.

What it shall well please him. Literally, “To the extent in which he may be prosperous,” i.e., as much as he can afford. St. Paul wanted the Christians thus freely to put aside what they could afford every Sunday, so that upon his arrival the entire collection might be finished and ready to send away.

1 Cor 16:3. And when I shall be with you, whomsoever you shall approve by letters, them will I send to carry your grace to Jerusalem.

Whomsoever, etc. To remove all suspicion on the part of his adversaries the Apostle will let the Corinthians choose their own delegates to represent them in carrying their collection to Jerusalem.

By letters, i.e., whomsoever the Corinthians shall approve as delegates St. Paul will send with commendatory letters to the Christians in Jerusalem.

1 Cor 16:4. And if it be meet that I also go, they shall go with me.

If it be meet, etc., i.e., if the collection be a large one (Estius); or, if it seem good to you (MacR.). St. Paul is willing to accompany the Corinthian delegates all the way to Jerusalem, if this is desirable. Cf. Rom 15:23; Acts 20:1-6.

From 2 Cor 8 and 9 we gather that the collection promised to be very generous, and from Acts 20 and 21 we see that St. Paul did go to Jerusalem.

1 Cor 16:5. Now I will come to you, when I shall have passed through Macedonia. For I shall pass through Macedonia.

I will come to you, as he had already promised (1 Cor 4:19; 11:34; 14:6).

Through Macedonia. As we learn from 2 Cor 1:15, 16, St. Paul had first intended to go directly from Ephesus to Corinth, and thence to Macedonia; but conditions in the Corinthian Church were such that he was obliged to change his plan (2 Cor 1:23). This change of plan was afterwards made use of by his enemies in an attempt to show that he was fickle and lacking in decision (2 Cor 1:17).

I shall pass through, etc. Literally, “I am passing through,” etc. This seems to indicate that the Apostle did not intend to stay long in Macedonia.

1 Cor 16:6. And with you perhaps I shall abide, or even spend the winter: that you may bring me on my way whithersoever I shall go.

To show his affection for the Corinthians and to compensate for his deferred visit, St. Paul now says he will prolong his stay among them when he arrives. He was writing this letter around Paschal time, and intended to remain at Ephesus until Pentecost (verse 8). Then he would go to Macedonia, arriving in Corinth sometime in the autumn, perhaps to tarry until spring.

That you may bring me, etc. (προπεμψητε) , i.e., that they fit him out with the things necessary for his journey, wherever that may be. It was only from a Church that he especially loved and trusted that the Apostle would thus seek help.

1 Cor 16:7. For I will not see you now by the way, for I trust that I shall abide with you some time, if the Lord permit.

Now by the way. He means that his coming visit will not be a hurried one, as it would be if he passed through Corinth on his way to Macedonia. This verse seems strongly to support the view that St. Paul had made a flying visit to Corinth, but it does not require it.

1 Cor 16:8. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

I will tarry (επιμενω), i.e., I will stay on. This shows that he intended to remain at Ephesus until Pentecost, nearly two months more. We know, however (Acts 19:25), that the Apostle was obliged to leave Ephesus sooner than he had planned.

1 Cor 16:9. For a great door and evident is opened unto me: and many adversaries.

The reason why St. Paul wished to tarry at Ephesus for some two months longer was because there was offered him there a great opportunity of preaching the Gospel with much fruit, and of opposing his adversaries with success (Acts 19:19 ff.).

Great . . . evident, i.e., a great and effectual opening for good.