Today's Scripture
1 Corinthians 16
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Proverbs 8-9; 1 Corinthians 16
16 Concerning the collection of money for God’s people: You should do what I have directed the churches in Galatia to do. 2 On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside whatever you can afford from what you earn so that the collection won’t be delayed until I come.3 Then when I get there, I’ll send whomever you approve to Jerusalem with letters of recommendation to bring your gift. 4 If it seems right for me to go too, they’ll travel with me.
5 I’ll come to you after I go through Macedonia, and because I’m going through Macedonia, 6 I may stay with you or even spend the winter there in Corinth so that you can send me on my way to wherever I’m off to next. 7 I don’t want to make a quick visit to you, since I hope to spend some time with you if the Lord lets it happen. 8 I’ll stay here in Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. 9 In spite of the fact that there are many opponents, a big and productive opportunity has opened up for my mission here.
10 If Timothy comes to you, be sure that he has no reason to be afraid while he’s with you, because he does the work of the Lord just like I do.11 So don’t let anyone disrespect him, but send him on in peace so he can join me. I’m waiting for him along with the brothers and sisters.12 Concerning Apollos our brother: I strongly encouraged him to visit you with the brothers and sisters, but he didn’t want to go now. He’ll come when he has an opportunity.
13 Stay awake, stand firm in your faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Everything should be done in love.
15 Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to do something else. You know that the people in Stephanas’ household were the first crop of the harvest to come from the mission to Achaia. They have dedicated themselves to the service of God’s people. 16 So accept the authority of people like them and of anyone who cooperates and works hard. 17 I’m so happy that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived; they’ve made up for my missing you. 18 Indeed they’ve provided my spirit and yours with a much-needed rest. Therefore, give them proper recognition.
19 The churches in the province of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the church that meets in their house. 20 All the brothers and sisters greet you. You in turn should greet each other with a holy kiss. 21 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.
22 A curse on anyone who doesn’t love the Lord. Come, Lord! 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love is with all of you in Christ Jesus.
What does this passage mean to me/us? Contributed by Eric Anderson
Paul, in the closing chapter of 1 Corinthians, takes the opportunity to cover several final thoughts to the church in Corinth; a collection of an offering for the saints in Jerusalem, his plans for a visit, the current work he is doing, his working to persuade Apollos to visit, a reminder to maintain their faithfulness, a request to show respect to new and devoted followers, and finally personal greetings from himself and from the church in Ephesus. Of these many final thoughts Paul is addressing, I would like to focus on his call to the Corinthian Church to remain faithful to the gospel.
Paul reminds the believers to “Stay awake, stand firm in your faith, be brave, be strong. Everything should be done in love.” ( vs. 13-14 CEB) These are instructions that Paul has brought up throughout his letter and his bringing them up one last time is a sign of how important it is that these points are followed, especially as he is not able to be with them at the moment. At Youth Fellowship last night I brought up a similar scenario from John’s gospel. In Ch. 13-20, known as the Farewell Discourse, in part, Jesus is giving his disciples a list of instructions about how to show love after he is no longer with them. I find this significant because we face distractions and temptations today that can lead us away from the things that are important in our faith. A reminder to be alert and anchored in our faith with a challenge to be bold in our actions so that our every deed would show Christ’s love is something worth repeating.
Prayer
Faithful God, We know that we sometimes fall astray of your commandment to love you with all that we are and to love others accordingly. Yet, you never give up on us. You are always there to pick us up, dust us off, and put us back on the path. Thank you for the reminder to anchor ourselves to you and share love in all that we do. Amen.
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