1 Corinthians 16:1

περὶ δὲ τῆς λογίας. The same subject is mentioned in ch. 8, 9 of the second Epistle. The disorganized state of Judaea at this time, as described in the pages of Josephus, may account for the systematic efforts which were then being made throughout the Gentile Churches for the aid of the Churches of Judaea. This collection is mentioned in Romans 15:26, written after the Apostle’s arrival at Corinth. Another reason for this Gentile liberality is given there. Jerusalem was the source whence all the blessings of the Gospel had flowed. It was fitting that some recompense, however inadequate, should be made. Cf. ch. 1 Corinthians 9:11. St Paul says here that he had instructed the Galatian Churches to send their contribution, and in Galatians 2:10 we find that it was a special matter of agreement between himself and the other Apostles that he should ‘remember the poor,’ i.e. of the Church at Jerusalem. St Luke does not mention the collection in its proper place in the Acts, but the incidental reference to it in a speech made long after by the Apostle, and recorded in Acts 24:17, is adduced by Paley in his Horae Paulinae, as a remarkable instance of undesigned agreement between this Epistle and the narrative in the Acts, and as strong evidence of the authenticity of both.

εἰς τοὺς ἁγίους. The ‘poor saints’ (see for saints note on ch. 1 Corinthians 1:2) at Jerusalem mentioned in Romans 15:26.

ὥσπερ διἑταξα. As I gave order. This order could not have been given when St Paul last visited the Galatian Churches, for though (see Paley, Horae Paulinae) they are the last Churches he is recorded to have visited, that visit took place nearly three years previously (Acts 20:31; cf. Acts 19:10; cf. Acts 19:21-22), but either in some visit not recorded, or more probably by letter or message. The Corinthians had received their instructions a year before the date of the second Epistle (2 Corinthians 8:10; 2 Corinthians 9:2), and therefore several months before the first was written. Were those instructions given in ‘the Epistle’ mentioned in ch. 1 Corinthians 5:9?

Γαλατίας. A portion of Asia Minor, between Cappadocia and Bithynia, to which the Gauls who overran Europe and Asia in 279 B.C. were ultimately reduced.