Now about the collection for the saintsThis phrase refers to a specific financial collection organized by the Apostle Paul for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem. The "saints" here are the Christian believers in Jerusalem who were experiencing severe economic hardship, possibly due to famine or persecution. This collection is a demonstration of the unity and mutual support within the early Church, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. It reflects the principle of Christian charity and the responsibility of believers to care for one another, as seen in
Acts 11:29-30, where the disciples in Antioch send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia
Paul's instruction to the Corinthians to follow the same directive given to the Galatian churches indicates a standardized approach to this collection across different regions. The churches of Galatia were located in the Roman province of Galatia, which is in modern-day Turkey. This suggests that Paul had established a consistent method for collecting and managing these funds, ensuring accountability and transparency. It also highlights the apostolic authority Paul held over the churches he founded, as well as the interconnectedness of the early Christian communities. This directive aligns with the broader biblical principle of orderly and systematic giving, as seen in2 Corinthians 9:7, where Paul emphasizes that each person should give what they have decided in their heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter, providing guidance to the Corinthian church regarding the collection for the saints.
2.
The Church in CorinthThe recipients of the letter, a diverse and dynamic early Christian community in the city of Corinth.
3.
The Churches of GalatiaOther early Christian communities that Paul had previously instructed regarding the collection.
4.
The SaintsRefers to the believers in Jerusalem who were in need, likely due to poverty or persecution.
5.
The CollectionA financial offering being organized by Paul to support the needy believers in Jerusalem.
Teaching Points
Principle of GenerosityThe early church exemplified a spirit of generosity, emphasizing the importance of supporting fellow believers in need.
Unity in the Body of ChristThe collection for the saints demonstrates the interconnectedness of the early Christian communities, reminding us of our responsibility to care for one another.
Following Apostolic InstructionPaul’s directive to the Corinthians, as he did with the Galatians, underscores the importance of adhering to apostolic teaching and guidance.
Practical StewardshipThe organization of the collection reflects the need for practical stewardship and planning in the administration of church resources.
Faith in ActionThe act of giving is a tangible expression of faith and love, serving as a witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 16:1?
2.How does 1 Corinthians 16:1 guide us in organizing church collections today?
3.What principles from 1 Corinthians 16:1 apply to modern Christian financial stewardship?
4.How does 1 Corinthians 16:1 connect with Acts 11:29 regarding helping believers?
5.Why is it important to follow Paul's "instructions" in 1 Corinthians 16:1?
6.How can we implement 1 Corinthians 16:1's teachings in our local church community?
7.What is the significance of the collection for the saints in 1 Corinthians 16:1?
8.How does 1 Corinthians 16:1 reflect early Christian community practices?
9.Why was Paul concerned with the collection for Jerusalem in 1 Corinthians 16:1?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 16?
11.1 Corinthians 16:1 – Is there any historical or archaeological evidence for Paul’s collection for the saints, or does it solely rely on biblical claims?
12.Could Paul’s emphasis on generous giving in 2 Corinthians 8 be seen as an attempt to exert social pressure on the Corinthians, rather than purely as a spiritual directive?
13.What defines an institutional church?
14.What does the Bible say about Christian giving?What Does 1 Corinthians 16:1 Mean
Now about• Paul signals a new topic, just as he does elsewhere—“Now about spiritual gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:1) and “Now about the matters you wrote” (1 Corinthians 7:1).
• The phrase tells the Corinthians that what follows is not optional advice but Spirit-guided instruction, in keeping with “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16).
• Its conversational tone invites believers to lean in and listen, knowing the apostle is addressing real-life concerns within the church.
the collection• “Collection” points to a tangible gathering of resources, primarily money (cf.Acts 11:29;2 Corinthians 8:4).
• Giving is an act of worship—just as singing or preaching are. In1 Corinthians 16:2 Paul will tie it to the first day of the week, the day of corporate gathering, underscoring that generosity is woven into regular Christian life.
• This practical ministry reflects Jesus’ words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
for the saints• The recipients are fellow believers in need, particularly the church in Judea suffering under famine and persecution (Romans 15:25-27;Galatians 2:10).
• “Saints” stresses family identity; when one part hurts, all respond (1 Corinthians 12:26).
• Giving to believers does not negate generosity to outsiders (Galatians 6:10) but prioritizes the household of faith.
you are to do• The directive is clear: obedience, not mere admiration. James echoes, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).
• Paul assumes willingness—he had already praised the Corinthians for eagerness (2 Corinthians 8:10-11)—but eagerness must translate into action.
• Practical steps will follow: set aside, store up, give proportionally (1 Corinthians 16:2).
as I directed• Paul speaks with apostolic authority entrusted by Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:2), showing the pattern of sound doctrine handed down to the churches (1 Corinthians 11:2).
• Uniform instructions protect unity; every congregation follows the same gospel-shaped standard, avoiding favoritism or fragmentation (Philippians 2:2).
the churches of Galatia• Mentioning Galatia reveals that the directive is already in operation elsewhere, encouraging the Corinthians through positive peer example (2 Corinthians 9:2).
• It underlines the interconnectedness of diverse congregations spread across regions (Acts 18:23), all cooperating in one mission.
• Believers today stand in that same network of mutual care, extending grace across geographical and cultural lines.
summary1 Corinthians 16:1 launches a practical call to generosity. Paul introduces the subject plainly, frames giving as a corporate act of worship, identifies the needy saints as family, commands active obedience, grounds his orders in apostolic authority, and shows that the pattern already unites multiple churches. The verse beckons every believer to regular, intentional, and unified support of brothers and sisters in need, displaying Christ’s love in concrete form.
XVI.
(1)Now concerning the collection for the saints.--This chapter deals briefly with the following subjects:--
1Corinthians 16:1-4. The collection for the poor at Jerusalem.
1Corinthians 16:5-9. The Apostle's prospective arrangement, as to his journey.
1Corinthians 16:10-18. Commendation of various individuals.
1Corinthians 16:19-20. The salutation of the Church.
1Corinthians 16:21-24. The salutation of Paul himself. . . .
Verses 1-18. -
Directions and arrangements.Verse 1. -
Now concerning the collection for the saints. "The saints" are here the poor Christians at Jerusalem (
Romans 15:26). The subject weighed much on St. Paul's mind. First, there was real need for their charity, for at Jerusalem there was as sharp a contrast between the lots of the rich and poor as there is in London, and the "poor saints," being the poorest of the poor (
James 2:5), must have often been in deep distress. Not many years before this time, in the famine of Claudius, (
Acts 11:27-30), Queen Helena of Adiabene had kept the paupers of Jerusalem alive by importing cargoes of dried grapes and figs. Besides the periodical famines, the political troubles of Judaea had recently increased the general distress. Secondly, the tender heart of St. Paul was keenly alive to this distress. Thirdly, it was the only way in which the Gentile Churches could show their gratitude to the mother Church. Lastly, the Apostle St. Paul had solemnly promised the apostles at Jerusalem that he would remember the poor (
Galatians 2:10). Hence he frequently alludes to this collection (
2 Corinthians 8, 9Romans 15:26;
Acts 24:17, etc.). The enthusiastic communism of the earliest Christian society in Jerusalem had soon ceased, being, as all experience proves, an impossible experiment under the conditions which regulate all human life, and it may have aggravated the chronic distress.
As I have given order; rather,
as I arranged. To the Churches of Galatia. Not in his extant letter to the Galatians, but either in a visit three years before this time (
Acts 18:28), or by letter. It appears from
2 Corinthians 8:10 that St. Paul had already asked for the contributions of the Corinthians. "To the Corinthians he proposes the example of the Galatians; to the Macedonians the example of the Corinthians; to the Romans that of the Macedonians and Corinthians. Great is the power of example" (Bengel).
Even so do ye. The aorist implies that they should do it at once.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Nowδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.aboutΠερὶ(Peri)Preposition
Strong's 4012:From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.theτῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.collectionλογείας(logeias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3048:From logos; a contribution.forεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.theτοὺς(tous)Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.saints,ἁγίους(hagious)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 40:Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.youὑμεῖς(hymeis)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.are to doποιήσατε(poiēsate)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.asὥσπερ(hōsper)Adverb
Strong's 5618:Just as, as, even as. From hos and per; just as, i.e. Exactly like.I directedδιέταξα(dietaxa)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1299:To give orders to, prescribe, arrange. From dia and tasso; to arrange thoroughly, i.e. institute, prescribe, etc.theταῖς(tais)Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.churchesἐκκλησίαις(ekklēsiais)Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1577:From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.of Galatia:Γαλατίας(Galatias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1053:Of foreign origin; Galatia, a region of Asia.
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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) 
