1 Corinthians Answers - Chapter 16

1 Corinthians 16

1. What model was Paul using to show the Corinthian church how to set aside funds for the saints of Jerusalem? vs. 1
   
   Paul suggests that the Corinthians do the same as the Galatian churches.
    
2. What day were they to put aside and save as they prospered so that collections could be made when Paul came to them? vs. 2
   
   On the first day of every week.
   
   
3. What did Paul plan to do when he arrived there in order to get the gift they saved up to the saints in Jerusalem? vs. 3,4
   
   Paul would send whoever the Corinthian church approved to take the money to Jerusalem.
   
   
4. Where was Paul going to visit before he came to Corinth?
   vs. 5
   
   Macedonia
   
   
   
5. Paul wanted to stay with the Corinthians for awhile. What was he hoping the Lord would permit him to do? vs. 6,7
   
   To spend the winter there.  He didn't want a quick visit but hoped to remain for some time.
   
   
6. Where was Paul going to remain until Pentecost and why?
   vs. 8,9
   
   He was going to remain in Ephesus until Pentecost because a wide door for effective service had opened to him and there were many adversaries.
   
   
7. What did Paul instruct the Corinthians concerning the coming of Timothy? vs. 10,11
   
   To put him at ease; see to it that he had nothing to fear.  Not to despise him or treat him with contempt but to send him on his way in peace.
   
   
   To take good care of him and make him feel completely at home ... then send him on with your blessing. [MSG]



8. What did Paul tell the Corinthians concerning Apollos? vs. 12
   
   Paul encouraged Apollos greatly to go to the Corinthian church; but Apollos did not feel he should go at that time.
   
   
9. What 5 commands did Paul give to the church in the closing of his letter? vs.13,14
   • Be on the alert
   • Stand firm in the faith
   • Act like men
   • Be strong
   • Let all that you do be done in love
   
   
   
10. What did Paul remind them concerning the household of Stephanas? vs. 15
    
    Paul reminded them that the household of Stephanas were the first fruits of Achaia (the first people to be won to Christ in Achaia) and that they had devoted themselves for ministry to the saints.
    
    
11. What did Paul tell the Corinthians concerning the way they should honor such men as Stephanas? vs. 16
    
    Be in subjection (submit) to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labours.
    
    
    Honour and look up to people like that: companions and workers who show us how to do it, giving us something to aspire to. [MSG]
    
    
    
12. Who had supplied Paul's needs (since the church was lacking in support) when they came to see him that he was now acknowledging with thanks? vs. 17
    
    Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus.
    
    
    
13. What had these 3 men done for Paul's spirit and for the church? vs. 18
    
    They had refreshed their spirits.
    
    
    
14. Do you have someone that comes to mind that has done this for your spirit before? Share if you would like.
    
    
    
15. Who sent greetings in Paul's letter to the Corinthians? vs. 19
    
    The churches of Asia.  Aquila and Prisca and the church that is in their house.
    
    
    
16. How did Paul encourage them to greet one another? vs. 20
    
    Greet one another with a holy kiss.
    
    
    
17. Although this letter was dictated by Paul to another to write, Paul had signed the greeting in his own hand (vs.21). What did Paul say in the final words should happen if anyone hearing this did not love the Lord? vs. 22
    
    If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed!  Come, Lord!
    
    
    
18. What two things did Paul leave with these believers in Corinth in his final words to them in this letter? vs. 23,24
    • The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
    • My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.  Amen.
    
    
    
19. Reflect on this lesson and all that you have learned in the book of I Corinthians today. Record your summary and prayer.
    
    Opportunities (1 Cor. 16:5–9) “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15–16, niv).
    
    Paul was as careful in his use of time as he was in his use of money.  Paul informed his friends at Corinth of his plans for future travel and ministry. It is worth noting that his statements were very tentative: “It may be suitable... it may be... wherever I go... but I trust.” Of course, the entire plan was dependent on God’s providential leading: “if the Lord permit.” Paul’s attitude toward his future plans agreed with the injunctions in James 4:13–17.
    
    Paul was at Ephesus when he wrote this letter. His plan was to travel to Macedonia for a time of ministry (pass through in 1 Cor. 16:5 means “travel in a systematic ministry” ), winter at Corinth, and then go to Judea with the collection. From November to February, it was impossible to travel by ship; so it would have been convenient for Paul to stay at Corinth and be with his friends.
    
    There were some problems to solve in the church and Paul had promised to come to help the leaders (1 Cor. 11:34). However, various circumstances forced Paul to revise his plans at least twice. His “Plan B” was to visit Corinth, then travel through Macedonia, passing through Corinth a second time on his way to Judea (2 Cor. 1:15–16). Instead of one long visit, he planned two shorter visits; but even this plan did not materialize. “Plan C” turned out to be a quick and painful visit to Corinth, after which he returned to Ephesus. He then went to Troas to wait for Titus (who had been sent to Corinth, 2 Cor. 2:12–13; 7:5ff), visited Macedonia, and then went to Judea. He did not spend as much time at Corinth as he had hoped or as they had expected.
    
    What do we learn from this difficult experience of Paul’s? For one thing, a Christian must use his common sense, pray, study the situation, and seek the best he can to determine the will of God. Proverbs 3:5–6 “lean not unto thine own understanding” must not be interpreted to mean, “Put your brain in neutral and don’t think!” God gave us our minds and He expects us to think, but He does not want us to depend only on our own reasoning. We must pray, meditate on the Word, and even seek the counsel of mature Christian friends.
    
    Second, our decisions may not always be in the will of God. We may make promises that we cannot keep and plans that we cannot fulfill. Does this mean that we are liars or failures? (Some of the believers at Corinth thought Paul was deceptive and not to be trusted. See 2 Cor. 1:12-2:13.) 
    
    There are two extremes we must avoid in this important matter of seeking God’s will. One is to be so frightened at making a mistake that we make no decisions at all. The other is to make impulsive decisions and rush ahead, without taking time to wait on the Lord. After we have done all we can to determine the leading of the Lord, we must decide and act, and leave the rest to the Lord. If we are in some way out of His will, He will so work that we will finally have His guidance. The important thing is that we sincerely want to do His will (John 7:17). After all, He guides us “for His name’s sake” (Ps. 23:3), and it is His reputation that is at stake.
    
    Paul had an open door of ministry in Ephesus, and this was important to him. He wanted to win the lost in Ephesus, not go to Corinth to pamper the saved. (On “open doors,” see Acts 14:27; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3; Rev. 3:8.) Paul was neither an optimist nor a pessimist; he was a realist. He saw both the opportunities and the obstacles. God had opened “a great door for effective work” and Paul wanted to seize the opportunities while they were still there.
    
    An ancient Roman proverb says, “While we stop to think, we often miss our opportunity.” Once we know what to do, we must do it and not delay. We can usually think of many reasons (or excuses) not to act. Even though Paul was in danger in Ephesus (1 Cor. 15:32), he planned to remain there while the door was open. Like a wise merchant, he had to “buy up the opportunity” before it vanished and would never return.
    
    The stewardship of opportunity is important. The individual believer, and the church family, must constantly ask, What opportunities is God giving us today? Instead of complaining about the obstacles, we must take advantage of the opportunities, and leave the results with the Lord.
    
    Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (1 Co 16:5). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.