Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.
Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.
Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.
I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.
I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.
If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
The Collection
The Context:
The early church in Jerusalem initially practiced a communal sharing of resources, as described in Acts 2:44-45:
"Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need."
This practice reflected their deep sense of unity and care for one another, as well as their expectation of Christ's imminent return. However, over time, the resources from these shared possessions likely began to run dry for several reasons:
Limited Inflow of Resources: As members sold their possessions to meet immediate needs, there may have been little left to sustain the community over the long term.
External Pressures: The Jerusalem Christians faced persecution, making it difficult to earn a living. Acts 8:1 records that after Stephen’s martyrdom, a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, forcing many to scatter. Those who stayed likely struggled to find consistent means of support.
Famine and Economic Hardship: A famine during Claudius's reign (as prophesied in Acts 11:28) worsened the economic situation, affecting both Christians and non-Christians in the region.
Population Growth: The Jerusalem church grew rapidly, as seen in Acts 2:41 and Acts 4:4, where thousands were added to their numbers. Meeting the needs of such a large, growing community would have strained any shared resources.
Given these circumstances, it makes logical sense that the resources of the Jerusalem church would become depleted, leading to the need for help from other churches. Paul organized a collection among Gentile believers to provide for the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, bridging the gap between these groups and demonstrating the church's unity. He explained in Romans 15:25-27:
"But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things."
This response from the Gentile churches showed that the body of Christ was united in love and support, reinforcing the principle of mutual care and burden-sharing described in Galatians 6:2:
"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
The act of giving was a spiritual discipline. Paul encouraged generosity and a cheerful heart in
2 Corinthians 9:7:"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."
By giving regularly and proportionately, as he instructed in 1 Corinthians 16:2, believers could support one another while reflecting Christ’s love. This collection also symbolized the unity of the church, as seen in Ephesians 2:14:
"For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation."
Paul’s guidance shows that giving is not just about money; it is an act of worship, gratitude, and love for the body of Christ
What day did Christians Meet on?
Over the years in ministry, I have encounter well-meaning people who have insisted, the day to worship on is Saturday or the Sabbath. In fact, we have whole denominations and movements who make this their main bone of contention.
The question of whether Christians should worship on the Sabbath (Saturday) or Sunday has been debated for a long time. However, when we look at the Bible and history, it becomes clear that worshiping on Sunday is not only appropriate but has strong roots in Christian tradition. Let’s break it down in a simple way
What the Bible Says
Jesus Fulfilled the Sabbath
Jesus made it clear that He came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it. In Matthew 5:17, He said:
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill."
This means that Jesus completed the purpose of the Sabbath, along with the rest of the Mosaic Law. Through His death and resurrection, He brought in a new covenant, freeing believers from strict rules about specific holy days.
Paul explains this further in Colossians 2:16-17:
"So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ."
Here, Paul is saying that the Sabbath was like a preview of what was to come in Christ. Once Jesus came, the Sabbath’s role as a "shadow" ended. Now, worship isn’t tied to a specific day.
Early Christians Worshiped on Sunday
The Bible shows us that early Christians met on Sunday, the first day of the week, for worship and fellowship:
Acts 20:7: "Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight."
This verse shows that Christians gathered on Sundays for teaching and to break bread, which likely refers to the Lord’s Supper.
1 Corinthians 16:2: "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come."
Offerings were collected on Sunday, pointing to regular gatherings on this day.
Jesus’ Resurrection Happened on a Sunday
Sunday is especially important because it’s the day Jesus rose from the dead. Mark 16:9 tells us:
"Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene."
The resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:14:"And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty."By worshiping on Sunday, Christians honor the day Jesus conquered death and brought new life.
The "Lord’s Day"
In Revelation 1:10, John writes:
"I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day."
While John doesn’t explain what "the Lord’s Day" means, early Christian tradition connects it to Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead. This term shows how Sunday became a special day of worship.
Christians Have Freedom About Worship Days
Paul reminds us that we’re not bound to specific days for worship. In Romans 14:5-6, he says:"One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord."In other words, worship is about your heart and your devotion to God, not the specific day you choose.
What History Tells Us
Early Christians Worshiped on Sunday
From the beginning, Christians viewed Sunday as the day to gather and worship. For example:
Ignatius of Antioch (around A.D. 110) wrote:
"Those who were brought up in the ancient order of things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in observance of the Lord's Day."
Justin Martyr (around A.D. 150) explained:
"Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God made the world, and Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead on the same day."
Transition from Sabbath to Sunday
At first, many Jewish Christians worshiped on both the Sabbath (Saturday) and Sunday. But as the church spread to Gentiles (non-Jews), Sunday became the primary day for worship. It celebrated Jesus’ resurrection and helped distinguish Christianity from Judaism.
The Council of Laodicea
Some people think Sunday worship was invented by the church in later centuries, but this isn’t true. By the time of the Council of Laodicea (A.D. 363-364), Sunday worship was already common. The council simply confirmed it, stating:
"Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that day; but the Lord’s Day they shall especially honor."
Roman Influence?
Some argue that Sunday worship began with Emperor Constantine’s law in A.D. 321, making Sunday a rest day. However, Christians had been worshiping on Sundays for centuries before Constantine. His decree didn’t start the practice; it aligned Roman law with what Christians already did.
The Bible shows us that Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath, and early Christians chose Sunday to worship in honor of His resurrection. History confirms that Sunday worship was long before Constantine or church councils. Worshiping on Sunday isn’t an error—it’s a way to celebrate our new life and hope in Christ. Most importantly, what matters is not the day but worshiping God in spirit and truth, as Jesus taught in John 4:23-24.
As we conclude this devotional journey through 1 Corinthians, it’s important to reflect on the many lessons Paul shared with the church in Corinth—lessons that remain deeply relevant for us today. We began by exploring the challenges faced by a diverse and morally complex city as Paul sought to guide the believers toward unity and holiness. We saw his passionate appeal for unity in 1 Corinthians 1, urging the church to avoid divisions and to center their allegiance on Christ alone, who is not divided. Paul reminded us of the profound truth that the wisdom of God, though foolish to the world, is the power that saves those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:18-31).
We also confronted the realities of sin, as Paul dealt with immorality in the church (1 Corinthians 5) and lawsuits among believers (1 Corinthians 6), calling for purity, accountability, and reconciliation. In matters of marriage and singleness (1 Corinthians 7), he provided practical advice, encouraging us to live according to God’s unique calling for each of us. In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul taught us to balance Christian freedom with responsibility, always acting in love to avoid causing others to stumble.
When addressing the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11, Paul reminded the church to approach this sacred act with reverence and self-examination, recognizing the body of Christ in both the bread and the church community. In 1 Corinthians 12-13, we learned about the diversity of spiritual gifts and how they work together to build the body of Christ, with love being the foundation of all we do. Finally, Paul brought us to the heart of our faith in 1 Corinthians 15, affirming the resurrection of Jesus as the cornerstone of our hope, promising victory over death and a future resurrection for all who believe.
Each chapter of this letter calls us to live as a united, holy, and loving community, grounded in God's wisdom and the power of the resurrection. May we carry these truths into our daily lives as we close, striving to reflect Christ’s love and grace in all we do.
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