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1 Corinthians 16:1. When collecting (περί δε της λογίας) for the saints, do as I established (διέταξα) in the churches of Galatia. Having finished the dogmatic teaching, he moved on to the head of virtues - almsgiving. Alms are called collections in order to facilitate a task at the very beginning. For what was collected from many was easy for everyone. Then he encourages them to compete, telling them what others have done, as he says the Galatians did. He did not say: I proposed, but: “established,” which means great power, so that you would know that this is a royal institution, and would not neglect this matter. 1 Corinthians 16:2. On the first day of the week, let each of you put aside and save as much as his fortune allows. The first day of the week is called the Lord's Day (Sunday). And during the very day it predisposes them to alms, reminding them of the sacraments performed there. He also very prudently commands everyone to save “as much as his fortune allows,” that is, what God will send and what will be handy. For he did not say: bring it immediately, so as not to shame someone who has little, but: put it aside for yourself, and when the time comes, then carry it. 1 Corinthians 16:2. So as not to have to get ready when I arrive. So that, he says, you do not collect when you need to distribute. The words “when I come” makes them more diligent in collecting, since the donations will be before his eyes. 1 Corinthians 16:3. When I come, those whom you choose, I will send with letters to bring your alms to Jerusalem. He said well: “whomever you choose,” in order to avoid any temptation, so that they would not suspect that he wants to allocate some of what he collected to himself. So, after the word “you will choose,” put a period, then read: “I will send those with letters.” The connection will be like this: whomever you choose, I will send them with my letters. As if he were saying this: I myself will join them and take part in this service with my letters. “Alms” (in Church Slavonic - grace) he called this deed, that is, a donation, in order to show that they are doing something great, doing it without sorrow and without coercion. For grace is of this nature. To call an offering of alms was unworthy of the saints who were about to accept it. 1 Corinthians 16:4. And if it is decent for me to go, then they will go with me. If, he says, the gathering is such that my service is required, then I too will go. This also encourages them to be generous. He also wants to have witnesses that he will not take anything for himself. Therefore he says: they will come with me. 1 Corinthians 16:5–7. I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia; for I am going through Macedonia. Perhaps I’ll live with you, or spend the winter, so that you can accompany me wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now in passing, but I hope to stay with you for some time, if the Lord allows. He did not say: I will go to Macedonia, so that they would not say: “You prefer the Macedonians to us,” but he said: I am going through Macedonia, that is, I am inspecting the Macedonians hastily and in passing, and I will stay with you. This shows that he prefers them to the Macedonians, as the most sincere and worthy disciples; for the Corinthian church was great. The word “to remain” frightens those who have sinned. Adds “if the Lord permits” because of the unknown. For he did not know whether the Spirit would or would not allow him to do so. For the Spirit led him where He wanted. While in Ephesus, he intended to go from there to Macedonia, pass through it, and then go to them. He proves his disposition towards them with many arguments, both by the fact that he does not want to see them in passing, and by the fact that he wants them to see him off. 1 Corinthians 16:8. I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost. And this is a sign of strong love that tells them where he will be, how long he will stay, and even adds a reason. Because it continues. 1 Corinthians 16:9. For a great and wide door is open to me, and there are many adversaries. That is, many want to begin faith, and wide entrance is open to me, since their thoughts are ripe for faith. For the teacher is embarrassed when his students are not diligent; on the contrary, there is a wide field for him when his disciples are ready. For this reason, “there are many opponents,” for the devil, seeing that he is being deprived of his slaves, becomes more indignant and raises up opponents. 1 Corinthians 16:10. If Timothy comes to you, see that he is safe with you. Since it was likely that Timothy, having arrived in Corinth, would denounce and revile those who sinned, he warned them so that the rich wise men would not rebel against him, not because Timothy did not have courage and could fall, but because they could harm themselves. And he was very ready for danger. Well said: "yours". For do not speak to me about the Greeks when I demand from you what is due. 1 Corinthians 16:10–11. For he is doing the Lord's work, just as I am. Therefore let no one despise him. That is, he preaches and teaches, and not simply, but like me, which constitutes great praise for Timothy. Since he is such, let no one humiliate him. For he was young and lonely, and he was entrusted with taking care of very many and, moreover, disdainful ones; it is also likely that he was neglected. 1 Corinthians 16:11. But send him off in peace, so that he may come to me, for I am waiting for him with the brethren. Even more he says: and do him honor; for it means: “conduct.” In peace,” that is, safely, without struggle and dispute, with all humility. With the words “I am waiting for him,” he intimidates, so that, knowing that he will tell Paul about everything, they do not offend him in any way, and at the same time makes him worthy of respect; for he considers him so necessary that he awaits him. 1 Corinthians 16:12. And as for brother Apollos, I asked him very much that he and his brothers would go to you; but he didn’t want to go now. Apollos was older than Timothy, and an eloquent man. So that they would not say why he did not send him, but the younger one, he says: “I asked him very much.” And he does not say: he opposed me, but, freeing him from censure, he says: “but he did not want to,” that is, it was not pleasing to God. And so as not to say that this is an excuse and a pretext, he goes on to say. 1 Corinthians 16:12. And he will come when it is convenient for him. At the same time, he protects him, and consoles them, who wanted to see him, with the hope of his arrival. 1 Corinthians 16:13. Stay awake. Towards the end of the message he convinces again; shows that we should not rely only on teachers, but also listen to ourselves. “Watch,” for there are deceivers. He said this because they seemed to be sleeping. 1 Corinthians 16:13. Stand in faith. And not in external wisdom; for in it you can not establish yourself, but spin around. I said this because they hesitated. 1 Corinthians 16:13. Be courageous and strong. Because there are slanderers. I said this because they were weakened in spirit. 1 Corinthians 16:14. Let everything be done with love. This is against those who confused and tore apart the Church. Whether anyone teaches, whether anyone studies, whether anyone denounces, let everything be done with love, and through the mediation of love there will be neither pride nor division. 1 Corinthians 16:15. I ask you, brothers. A reshuffle is needed here: I beg you, so that you too submit to such; everything else is inserted. 1 Corinthians 16:15. You know the Stefano family that it is the firstfruits of Achaia. You, he says, know, and do not need teaching from me. The Stefano family is called the “firstfruits” of Achaia, either because it was the first to believe, or because it led a wonderful life; for the first fruit must always have superiority to that which it serves as the beginning. Achaia calls Hellas. 1 Corinthians 16:15. And that they dedicated themselves to the service of the saints. They determined and devoted themselves to receiving the believing poor and serving them, and not under coercion from others, but of their own free will. 1 Corinthians 16:16. Be respectful to them and to everyone who contributes and works. That is, participate with them in both financial support and physical service. And he did not simply say: cooperate, but: “be respectful,” commanding intense obedience. And so as not to think that it favors only Stephen, he adds: “and to everyone who cooperates and works” - in what? in service to the saints. For all such are worthy of honor; and in this case they will endure their labor more courageously. 1 Corinthians 16:17. I am glad about the arrival of Stefan, Fortunatus and Achaic: they made up for your absence for me. They gave Paul news of the divisions and other errors in Corinth. Perhaps it was through them that Chloe’s family notified him (1 Cor. 1:11). Since it was natural that the Corinthians would become bitter against them, he restrains them, saying that they “made up for your absence,” that is, they came instead of all of you, and for your sake they undertook such a journey to me. 1 Corinthians 16:18. For they calmed my spirit and yours. He declares that his calmness is their calmness. Since they calmed me down, and my calmness is useful for you, then let nothing on your part be said that is unpleasant to them. 1 Corinthians 16:18. Read those. 1 Corinthians 16:19. The churches of Asia greet you. He unites the members of Christ through greeting, according to his usual custom. 1 Corinthians 16:19. Aquila and Priscilla and their home church greet you earnestly in the Lord. He stayed with them because he himself was engaged in making tents (Acts 18:1-3). Note their virtue in that they made their home a church, holding meetings of the faithful in it. 1 Corinthians 16:20. All the brothers greet you. Greet each other with a holy kiss. Only here does he add about the holy kiss, because there were many divisions. Since he persuaded them a lot towards unity, he finally unites them with a “holy” kiss, that is, ingenuous, and not hypocritical. 1 Corinthians 16:21. My personal greeting, Pavlovo. He made a handwritten greeting to show that he attached great importance to the message. 1 Corinthians 16:22. Whoever does not love the Lord Jesus Christ is anathema, maran afa. With this one word he brought everyone into fear: fornicators, those of different minds, those who use things sacrificed to idols, those who do not believe in the resurrection, and in general everyone who among them behaved in disagreement with his teaching and tradition. For all such do not love the Lord. “Maran afa”, that is, the Lord has come. He said this partly in order to establish the doctrine of the economy, and through this of the resurrection, and partly in order to shame them: the Master took everything upon himself for us, and you anger him, some by calling themselves by the names of people, and others by committing vicious deeds. The expression he used was not Greek, but Hebrew, or Syriac; for he spoke to the Corinthians, who attached much value to the external wisdom and beauty of the Greek dialect, but he shows that he does not need it at all, but boasts of simplicity, so that he speaks in rough language. 1 Corinthians 16:23. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you. It is the teacher’s duty not only to convince, but also to pray, and thus to affirm doubly: by teaching and by bringing down help from above through his prayers. 1 Corinthians 16:24. And my love is with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. Since he was distant from them in place, he seemed to embrace them with the arms of love, saying: “my love is with you,” that is, I am present with all of you; for I am not without you, although in another place. This also shows that although what is written shows bitterness, it was written not out of anger, not out of rage, but out of love and caring. And lest they think that he says this out of flattery towards them, he adds: “in Christ Jesus,” that is, my love has nothing human or carnal, but is spiritual and in Christ. Let us also pray that, while loving each other in Christ, we may not carry within us anything of worldly love, which is hostile to God. For in this way we will also be rewarded with the longed-for mansions of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, who loved us, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. You might be interested in: