In the final chapter of this letter, Paul begins with a note about a collection for God's people in Jerusalem. As you may remember, Paul, while he was still Saul, had helped to initiate intense persecution against Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 8.1) and most of the believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria except for the apostles and a few others. People were put in prison and sometimes killed. This left the church there in a desparate position - with widows and families who couldn't work because of imprisonment (in those days you also still had to provide your own food and clothes in prison). So Paul and others were collecting monies to send to the church there. He was encouraging them to set aside money so that when he or others come to collect the money, it would be all ready to go. He speaks more on this in 2 Corinthians 8.
Paul then describes his desire and plans to visit. We learn that he is writing this from Ephesus (v 8). He also gives instructions about Timothy's coming. Timothy is a younger man who is a strong believer who Paul has sent out to help the churches. Paul writes separate letters to Timothy (1 and 2 Timothy) where he is given instructions about his personal life and the tasks that he has been given in the churches. He addresses Apollos, and based on the comments, it may be that the Corinthians asked that Apollos could visit. Apollos was a well know and strong debator and defender of the faith who they were familiar with (1 Cor 1:12).
Paul also gives instructions for the church to submit themselves to the local leaders of the church (v 16) and he thanks them for sending messengers to tell how things are going in Corinth. This is the likely source of the questions that Paul is writing the letter to address (v 17).
Paul then ends the letters with greetings to the church from himself and others and expresses his love to them all. Paul was a spiritual leader, a servant and one who deeply loved those he was leading in Christ.
We will all do well to follow Paul's encouragement to the church: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." (v 13-14). We have spiritual enemies that fight against us so we need to be on our guard. We must not let difficulties nor struggles dissuade us, but we must stand firm with courage and strength from God. And finally, let us not be selfish in our actions, but do everything in love, looking out for the needs of others.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you!
I think it's interesting how the church in Corinth met "on the first day of every week" to worship the Lord together. The traditional day of the Sabbath is Saturday, but Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday. Especially the non-Jewish Christians would be more interested in honoring Jesus on the day of the week that he rose from the dead. Also, I think it's great that Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give money to the church in Jerusalem.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting at this time the church was not legally recognized, so all the churches met in houses or outdoors perhaps?
Also, in verse 22, when Paul says, "Our Lord, come!" is he praying for Jesus to return? I remember that we sing the same words in a chorus, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come," but is this a prayer for the second coming of Christ? Or is it a request for the Holy Spirit to be with us?
Also, it is amazing how much love Paul had for the people in the churches, even though they were not naturally close to him. It's possible that the only thing they had in common was faith in Jesus Christ, but the Lord filled him with love for them like a spiritual father.
Not sure what you mean by "the church was not legally recognized". I think that the meeting location was more of a convenience based on the places that they had available. In Acts, Paul often met in synagogues to speak to Jewish people. He also used the lecture hall of Tyrannus in Acts 19:9 when he left the synagogue. The meeting in homes was more a reflection of size and opportunity. Some of the homes were likely the homes of wealthy believers (such as the owner of Philemon) and the homes could have been large and able to accomodate a number of people. In most towns there probably weren't just buildings that were open and could be used and in the early days they probably didn't build much for such occasions. For instance in towns where there weren't enough Jews to have a synagogue, they would typically meet by a river (Acts 16:13). I'm sure over time as fellowships grew in a city they would either use a place such as Paul did in Rome or perhaps even build their own similar to the pattern of building a synagogue.
ReplyDeleteAbout the "O Lord, come", it is the phrase Marana tha (see footnote in NIV). This is primarily a reference to Jesus' second return, but sometimes can have a more immediate prayer for the presence of Jesus by his Spirit to come. The former is however the primary meaning.
ReplyDeleteIn v2, 'no collections will have to be made', Paul told to set aside a sum of money to help the churches in trouble.
ReplyDeleteHowever, many big churches in Korea is piling up their money for their wealth. That can make the church far from the unbelievers.
In v13, 'stand firm in the faith; Be men of courage; Be strong; Do everything in love' I like this specific and strong manner to say.
I'd like to follow this word.
The believers in Jesus originally called their faith "The Way," and Christianity came about later when the Roman emperor declared it to be the official religion of the empire. Until that time, I don't think the churches were able to meet in public property. Did they have the right to peaceably assemble like we do under the Bill of Rights in the constitution? Paul did preach to Jews in the various synagogues, but he was always persecuted by them. They probably thought that he was leading people astray as in a cult. Many of Jews did not and still do not believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah in Scripture. But I think in Romans Paul explained that God allowed the Jews to be blind to the truth temporarily so that the gospel would be spread around the world to all the Gentiles.
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