1 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.
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.
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.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
As Paul concludes his letter, he deals with a few brief issues.
The Jerusalem church was in need of assistance because of their poverty. Paul had asked that every believer in the churches of Galatia give according to their ability and he asked the Corinthian believers to do the same. Paul tells them to set aside a portion of their earnings every week. On the first day of every week strongly suggests they met together on Sundays. This regular setting aside would mean that they could save a significant sum over time rather than frantically looking for something to give at the last minute when Paul arrived. It is wise to set aside a portion of your income to enable you to help others. Planned generosity allows for spontaneous giving much more easily than trying to find money when you haven’t planned. Paul was wise in his dealings with other people’s money. He wasn’t going to take the money to Jerusalem himself but had them arrange a representative so there could be no accusation that Paul had used the money for anything other than what it was intended for.
Paul spoke of his intention to visit them and, while he gave specifics on his plans, they were always loosely held based on, “if the Lord permits.” Proverbs tells us that “A man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Prov 16:9). It is not unwise to plan for your future but we must do it prayerfully and in anticipation that God may alter our path as we live in step with Him.
Paul remained in Ephesus for a while because he recognised a clear opportunity for effective ministry. He mentioned that there were many adversaries. Paul’s attitude seemed to be that when there was strong opposition, that was a sign that the ministry was working and was a reason for him to press on, not run away. When your work for God gets hard, don’t run away from it, but press into God and in His strength, press on with the work.
Paul was sending Timothy to the Corinthian church. That church had a reputation for being a rather difficult bunch so Paul had to remind them to be hospitable to Timothy and to treat him with respect. He reminded them that accepting Timothy was like accepting Paul. Then they were to help him on his way on the next leg of his journey back to Paul. As believers, hospitality should be a core part of who we are. We should welcome all types of people, encourage them, and help them on their way.
The Corinthians had hoped that Apollos (a fellow worker with Paul) would visit them and Paul had urged him to visit them. It was not his (or God’s) will for him to visit at the time of Paul’s writing but Paul did say he would visit them when he had the opportunity.