Day 1,091: 1 Corinthians 16- Rich In Love

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
Plans for Travel
5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.
Final Instructions
12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.
13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.
15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— 16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.
Greetings
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
 
Meditation
The gospel frees believers to show and share “the more excellent” way of love (12:31), engaged in relationship centered on “the greatest of what endures” (13:13)- for the benefit of all people in Christ’s Body and the blessing of the places where we live.
 
Love links together all of what Paul has written to the church in Corinth, the simplest comprehensive summary of all ten gospel solutions he has presented for the ten problems facing Corinthian Christians. Tying everything together, Paul encourages the church to do everything in love (14) by pointing Corinthian Christians to six final and practical applications:
 
1- Love gives strategically and generously to Christians in need (1-4). Christians intentionally steward the wealth God has entrusted to us to serve and strengthen struggling saints.
 
2- Love invests in relationship, going to visit others and showing hospitality to brothers and sisters, in hopes of a door opening wide for God’s work (5-12).
 
3- Love is courageous and lives with conviction (13-14).
 
4- Love encourages fellow gospel workers, Christ’s servants who give away their lives to build up the Body and bless the nations (15-18).
 
5- Love sends and shares greetings (19-21).
 
6- Love is left behind after we move forward (22-23), leaving footsteps to follow for a community of disciples.
 
God is love and Christians are imitators of God, His dearly loved children who walk in love as He has loved us and given Himself for us (Ephesians 5:1-2). Christians must do everything in love.
 
Richly Dwelling

• Why is it significant that Paul lands with love, ending his letter to the church centered on love?

 

• Which of the six applications is most inviting for you? Why?

 

• How does the steadfast love of God demonstrated through the work of Jesus compel you to live more lovingly with the church? How? Be specific.

 
Key Verse
14 Let all that you do be done in love…”