20160731 Sunday, July 31 2016
1 Corinthians 16: The Intercontinental Church Of God

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"The churches of Asia salute you"

Corinth is a Greek city located on the major isthmus that connects the Peloponnesus (the southern peninsula of Greece) to the mainland of Greece. Paul visited the city during his second and third missionary journeys (see the maps in Paul's First Missionary Journey, Paul's Second Missionary Journey and Paul's Third Missionary Journey) and the church (i.e. the Christian people; see Can You See The Church?) there were the recipients of two epistles from Paul.

Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians was written while Paul was in Ephesus ("I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost"), a city in what is today Turkey. The Aegean Sea separates Corinth and Ephesus (see also The Aegean Connection). Paul later wrote an epistle to the church in Ephesus, "Ephesians," after he had left there (Ephesus was also recorded as one of "the seven churches of Asia" in the apostle John's Book of Revelation, which itself was also an epistle; see also Where Are The Seven Churches Of Revelation Today?).

The first epistle to the Corinthians ends with Paul outlining his plans for the coming year. Although the "first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timotheus" (verse 24 below), there is no doubt that Paul was the author and that he was in Asia (Ephesus) when he wrote it i.e. his greeting was from Asia (Turkey), while Philippi is in Europe (Greece). Paul's ministry was truly a service to the intercontinental Church of God (see the Fact Finder question below).

"16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 16:4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

16:5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. 16:6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. 16:7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. 16:8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

16:10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. 16:11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

16:12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.

16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 16:16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. 16:17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. 16:18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

16:21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

16:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timotheus." (1 Corinthians 16:1-24 KJV)

Fact Finder: What was the major difference between the appointed ministry of Paul and the ministries of the twelve apostles?
See Paul, The Apostle To The World