Daily Scripture Reading 1Corinthians 16:1-24
There is a lot of gender confusion in our society. The problem is not just that some men claim to be women and some women claim to be men. Most men are confused about what it means to be a man and most women are confused about what it means to be a woman. Additionally, women are confused about what a man is and should do, while men are confused about what a woman is and should do.
Today’s passage contains a command from Paul in which he told the Corinthian men to act like men. The context helps us understand what it means to act like a man.
Yesterday, we read a passage in which Paul described the resurrection body. Instead of being corruptible, dishonorable, and natural as our earthly body is, our resurrection body will be incorruptible, glorified, and spiritual. When the corruptible puts on the incorruptible, then death will be conquered and no longer have its sting.
1Cor. 16:1 ¶ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also.
The map shows the route of Paul’s second missionary journey. Galatia is the region around the cities of Lystra and Iconium. Paul started in Antioch, went to Galatia, then eventually made it to Corinth. He wrote the letter of 1Corinthians after he left Corinth.
Paul had the same instructions for the Galatians and Corinthians regarding how they should collect money to help the saints in Jerusalem.
1Cor. 16:2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to set something aside, saving whatever he has prospered, so that no collections be made when I come.
1Cor. 16:3 And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem,
1Cor. 16:4 and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me.
1Cor. 16:5 ¶ But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia;
1Cor. 16:6 and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go.
This map shows Paul’s third missionary journey, much of which took place after Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians. Macedonia is the area around Philippi. Paul intended to go through Macedonia before he arrived back in Corinth.
1Cor. 16:7 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing, for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits.
1Cor. 16:8 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost,
This verse tells us Paul wrote 1Corinthians while he was in Ephesus. Paul visited Ephesus briefly at the end of his second missionary journey, see Acts 18:19-21, but then he was in Ephesus for over two years during his third missionary journey, see Acts 19. This tells us Paul wrote 1Corinthians during his third missionary journey while he was in Ephesus for several years.
1Cor. 16:9 for a wide and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
Paul stayed in Ephesus for several years because there was a lot of opportunity to do ministry. Acts 19 describes some of the opportunities and adversaries.
1Cor. 16:10 ¶ Now if Timothy comes, take care that he is with you without fear, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am.
1Cor. 16:11 So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me, for I expect him with the brothers.
1Cor. 16:12 ¶ Now concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brothers, and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.
1Cor. 16:13 ¶ Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Notice the command to “act like men”.
There is a lot of gender confusion in our society right now. People don’t understand what it means to be a man or woman. Some people refuse to admit there are differences between men and women.
In verse 13 Paul told the men at Corinth to act like men. The rest of the verse helps to define what it means to act like men. Men watch and guard. Men stand firm. Men are strong.
When it comes to physical safety or defending their home and country, it is men who watch for danger, hold their ground, and use their strength to defeat threats. Likewise, in the church, men should watch for false teachings, refuse to compromise truth, and strongly defeat heresy.
1Cor. 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.
As men use their strength to protect, they also need to love. They protect their families and country because they love them. They protect truth because they love Jesus.
1Cor. 16:15 ¶ Now I exhort you, brothers (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for service to the saints),
1Cor. 16:16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.
1Cor. 16:17 And I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part.
1Cor. 16:18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such men.
1Cor. 16:19 ¶ The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
1Cor. 16:20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Note the command to “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” I don’t know what this looked like in the 1st century. There are only a small handful of denominations today which practice this. However, this is a command. It is not optional.
1Cor. 16:21 ¶ The greeting is in my own hand—Paul.
1Cor. 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.
1Cor. 16:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
1Cor. 16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Many people in the 21st century are confused about what it means to be a man or a woman. In 1Cor 16:13, Paul helped define men. Men watch, guard, stand their ground, and defend. They do this in the physical, emotional, and spiritual realm.
What are the physical threats in your culture that men need to guard and defend against?
What are the emotional dangers in the modern world that men need to defeat?
What are the spiritual and theological heresies in the 21st century that threaten the church and necessitate men who are willing to stand firm on the truth?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”