1 Corinthians 16:1

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as. gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.

'Now concerning' -(1 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1; 1 Corinthians 16:12). Indicating this was subject matter in which they wished for Paul to give additional instruction concerning.

'collection for the saints'

Points to Note:

1. Paul had participated in previous benevolent projects. (Acts 11:29; Acts 12:25)

2. The leadership in the Jerusalem Church and the other Apostles had requested that Paul 'remember the poor'. (Galatians 2:10)

3. This collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:3; Romans 15:26), had been started some time previous to this letter. The churches in the Galatian region had already been instructed. (1 Corinthians 16:1)

4. 'He didn't even have to say which saints. What does that tell you? (1) That they had prior knowledge of which saints, and (2) They had agreed to do something about it.' (McGuiggan p. 212)

5. There is quite. bit of speculation concerning why the church in Jerusalem found itself in such. condition of poverty. Some say that the voluntary selling of property and possessions recorded in Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32. had been. bad idea, which had only brought Christians into. worse condition. We must reject this view, seeing that such giving was done with God's approval and distribution of such funds were under the supervision of the Apostles. In contrast. more reasonable view...'The more probable and permanent cause was the persecution and social ostracism suffered by Christians in Jerusalem...In. city of which the prosperity depended in large measure upon Jewish rites and ceremonies, converts to Christianity would have peculiar difficulty in securing employment and obtaining financial support..' (Erdman p. 170)

'With little natural or commercial wealth, the city (Jerusalem) lived mainly upon its religious character--on the attractions of the Temple and the Feasts thronged by Jews from the whole world..' (Gr.Ex. N.T. p. 944)

We should also remember that famine had also hit this region in the past. (Acts 11:28)

6. Involved in this collection were also other concerns, besides just meeting the needs of the saints: (1) That the congregations outside of Palestine, which included. large Gentile membership, were indebted to the sacrifices made by the Jerusalem congregation in spreading the gospel. (Romans 15:27) (2) That such. contribution would demonstrate that the members in the churches that Paul had established were obedient to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11) (3) And that such would bring closer together the congregations which were made up of predominantly Jewish Christians and those which were mainly composed of Gentile Christians.

'Else where Paul speaks of this collection in terms that are full of theological content: "fellowship" (2 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 9:13); "service" (2 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 9:1; 2 Corinthians 9:12); "grace" (2 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 8:6); "blessing" (2 Corinthians 9:5); "divine service" (2 Corinthians 9:12). All of this together suggests that the "collection" was not some mere matter of money, but was for Paul an active response to the grace of God that not only ministered to the needs of God's people but also became. kind of ministry to God himself, which resulted in thanksgiving toward God and in. bond. fellowship between "God's people" across the Empire.' (Fee p. 812)

'collection' -3048. logia log-ee'-ah; from 3056 (in the commercial sense);. contribution: -collection, gathering.

In his commentary William Barclay makes the following observations concerning the words that Paul chose to call this "collection": (1) 'Here he calls it. 'logia'. The word means an extra collection.. logia was something which was the opposite of. tax which. man had to pay; it was an extra piece of giving.. man never satisfies his Christian duty by discharging the obligations which he can legally be compelled to fulfill.... (Matthew 5:47)..(2) Sometimes he calls it. 'charis' (grace)...that it describes. free gift freely given. The really lovely thing is not something which is extracted from. man, however large it may be, but something which is given in the overflowing love of. man's heart, however small it may be....(3) Sometimes he uses the word 'koinonia'...means fellowship and the essence of fellowship is sharing...It's dominating question is not. "What can. keep?" but, "What can. give?" (4) Sometimes he uses the word 'diakonia'..means practical Christian service..It may sometimes happen that the limitations of life prevent us from rendering personal service, and it may often happen that our money can go where we cannot go..' (pp. 182-183)

'for the saints' -Something that is repeatedly mentioned about this collection. (Romans 15:25; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 9:1; 2 Corinthians 9:12)

Points to Note:

1. Poor non-Christians also existed in the First Century. But we never find the church taking up. collection for the poor outside of Christ.

2. Evidently, the Apostles didn't look upon the church as. welfare agency for all who were in need.

'It's benevolent charge was for those who had already become Christians. Benevolence was not used to win people to Christ. Instead, benevolence was used to relieve the sufferings of those who had already been won to Christ.' (Willis p. 596)

3. While individual members could assist non-Christians (Galatians 6:10; James 1:27), resources pooled at the congregational level were only used for relieving the needs of other Christians. (Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Acts 11:29; 1 Timothy 5:16; 9-10)

4. Unfortunately, some have ridiculed the above truth. Churches of Christ who refuse to relieve the needs of non-Christians out of the treasury are viewed as uncaring, unsympathetic, and just looking for. scripture to hide behind so they don't have to spend their money.

But let me offer the following observations: (a) The Denominations, aren't as giving and liberal with their funds, as we have been led to believe. Often. receive phone calls from non-Christians looking for help with rent, utility bills, etc..who have been turned down by many other religious bodies. (b) Every religious body, must limit who it will help (for no religious body has unlimited resources). Yes, even liberal Churches of Christ turn down the requests of non-Christians. (c) So, instead of using. human standard of who we will help, i.e. do they look sincere, will they do something for us in return for the money, do they look like. good prospect for conversion, etc..Why not use God's standard-i.e. from the collected funds, only Christians are to be helped?

So don't let anyone make you feel ashamed, because the congregation you attend refuses to use it's collected funds to help non-Christians. Brethren, every religious group, turn's down many requests that various non-Christians present for financial help on. daily basis!

'as. gave order' -'as. directed' (NASV); 'carry out the same arrangements as. made for the churches of Galatia' (Mof) The word translated 'order' here, can range in meaning from "command" to "arrange". Considering what Paul will tell them later, this must be viewed as. command. (2 Corinthians 9:1)

'to the churches of Galatia' -'Since Paul had just recently come through Galatia on his way to Ephesus (Acts 18:23), most likely at that time he also informed them of the collection and how they could best go about laying it aside. And since he did not plan to return to Jerusalem by way of these churches, the contribution was probably to be brought to him by one of their own.' (Fee pp. 812-813)

'so also do ye' -'you should follow my directions to our congregations in Galatia.' (NEB)

Points to Note:

1. Uniformity in practice existed in the First Century congregations. (1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 1 Corinthians 11:16; 1 Corinthians 14:33-34)

2. Therefore, the letter to one congregation, equally applied to all congregations. Regardless of what continent or culture it found itself situated in. (Colossians 4:16)

3. Hence, the letters to the churches of the First Century, serve as blueprints or patterns for churches that will exist until the end of time.

4. 'Paul..holds up as an example to the Corinthians the Galatians, to the Macedonians the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 9:2), and to the Romans the Macedonians and Corinthians (Romans 15:26): great is the force of example.' (Bengel, quoted by McGarvey p. 160)

Since the subject of the collection for the saints is introduced without any background, apparently the Corinthians already knew about this collection...'The matter had been proposed to the Corinthians, but little had been done.' (Erdman p. 170)