It is remarkable that the Apostle can turn from one of his sublimest flights of sacred eloquence to deal with so ordinary a matter as the collection. But, after all, there is no incongruity. The thoughts to which he has given expression should surely lead to some tangible response of Christian duty and activity, or they would injure rather than help. Nothing is more injurious to the Christian conscience than trumpet-sounding which leads to no response in action. If the foregoing chapter does not stimulate Christian generosity, nothing will.
Note the time-the first day of the week, indicating the reverence with which the early Christians regarded that day. The method-the definite appropriation for God's work of a certain proportion of income, as it accrues. The proportion-as the giver may be prospered. Paul disliked vehement collection appeals, and advised that we should give according to a system, and not merely by impulse.
Remember it is God who opens great and effectual doors before His servants. It is of no use to force them. Let us wait for the Lord Jesus, who has the key of David, to open them, for then none can shut. Our duty is to be prepared to enter when the moment comes and the door swings wide. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 16
1He exhorts them to a collection for the brothers at Jerusalem 10Commends Timothy; 13and after friendly admonitions, 16concludes his epistle with various salutations
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 16:5
When I shall have passed through Macedonia [οταν Μακεδονιαν διελτω] “Whenever I pass through (second aorist active subjunctive of διερχομαι dierchomai) Macedonia” (see construction in 1 Corinthians 16:3). [source]
I do pass through [διερχομαι] I plan to pass through, futuristic use of present indicative. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 16:5
Acts 19:21Passed through [διελτων] Word Macedonia and Achaia (την Μακεδονιαν και Αχαιαν tēn Makedonian kai Achaian). This was the way that he actually went, but originally he had planned to go to Achaia (Corinth) and then to Macedonia, as he says in 2 Corinthians 1:15., but he had now changed that purpose, perhaps because of the bad news from Corinth. Already when he wrote I Corinthians he proposed to go first to Macedonia (1 Corinthians 16:5-7). He even hoped to spend the winter in Corinth “if the Lord permit” and to remain in Ephesus till Pentecost, neither of which things he did. I must also see Rome This section of Acts begins with Rome in the horizon of Paul‘s plans and the book closes with Paul in Rome (Rackham). Here he feels the necessity of going as in Romans 1:15 he feels himself “debtor” to all including “those in Rome” (Romans 1:16). Paul had long desired to go to Rome (Romans 1:10), but had been frequently hindered (Romans 1:13), but he has definitely set his face to go to Rome and on to Spain (Romans 15:23-29). Paley calls sharp attention to this parallel between Acts 19:21 and Romans 1:10-15; Romans 15:23-29. Rome had a fascination for Paul as the home of Aquila and Priscilla and numerous other friends (Romans 16), but chiefly as the capital of the Roman Empire and a necessary goal in Paul‘s ambition to win it to Jesus Christ. His great work in Asia had stirred afresh in him the desire to do his part for Rome. He wrote to Rome from Corinth not long after this and in Jerusalem Jesus in vision will confirm the necessity (δει dei) that Paul see Rome (Acts 23:11). [source]
Acts 19:21Macedonia and Achaia [την Μακεδονιαν και Αχαιαν] This was the way that he actually went, but originally he had planned to go to Achaia (Corinth) and then to Macedonia, as he says in 2 Corinthians 1:15., but he had now changed that purpose, perhaps because of the bad news from Corinth. Already when he wrote I Corinthians he proposed to go first to Macedonia (1 Corinthians 16:5-7). He even hoped to spend the winter in Corinth “if the Lord permit” and to remain in Ephesus till Pentecost, neither of which things he did. [source]
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: Μακεδονία
Sense: a country bounded on the south by Thessaly and Epirus, on the east by Thrace and the Aegean Sea, on the west by Illyria, and on the North by Dardania and Moesia.
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 16:5
“Whenever I pass through (second aorist active subjunctive of διερχομαι dierchomai) Macedonia” (see construction in 1 Corinthians 16:3). [source]
I plan to pass through, futuristic use of present indicative. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 16:5
Word Macedonia and Achaia (την Μακεδονιαν και Αχαιαν tēn Makedonian kai Achaian). This was the way that he actually went, but originally he had planned to go to Achaia (Corinth) and then to Macedonia, as he says in 2 Corinthians 1:15., but he had now changed that purpose, perhaps because of the bad news from Corinth. Already when he wrote I Corinthians he proposed to go first to Macedonia (1 Corinthians 16:5-7). He even hoped to spend the winter in Corinth “if the Lord permit” and to remain in Ephesus till Pentecost, neither of which things he did. I must also see Rome This section of Acts begins with Rome in the horizon of Paul‘s plans and the book closes with Paul in Rome (Rackham). Here he feels the necessity of going as in Romans 1:15 he feels himself “debtor” to all including “those in Rome” (Romans 1:16). Paul had long desired to go to Rome (Romans 1:10), but had been frequently hindered (Romans 1:13), but he has definitely set his face to go to Rome and on to Spain (Romans 15:23-29). Paley calls sharp attention to this parallel between Acts 19:21 and Romans 1:10-15; Romans 15:23-29. Rome had a fascination for Paul as the home of Aquila and Priscilla and numerous other friends (Romans 16), but chiefly as the capital of the Roman Empire and a necessary goal in Paul‘s ambition to win it to Jesus Christ. His great work in Asia had stirred afresh in him the desire to do his part for Rome. He wrote to Rome from Corinth not long after this and in Jerusalem Jesus in vision will confirm the necessity (δει dei) that Paul see Rome (Acts 23:11). [source]
This was the way that he actually went, but originally he had planned to go to Achaia (Corinth) and then to Macedonia, as he says in 2 Corinthians 1:15., but he had now changed that purpose, perhaps because of the bad news from Corinth. Already when he wrote I Corinthians he proposed to go first to Macedonia (1 Corinthians 16:5-7). He even hoped to spend the winter in Corinth “if the Lord permit” and to remain in Ephesus till Pentecost, neither of which things he did. [source]
Rather, first of all. Instead of going first to the Macedonians, as he afterward decided. See 1 Corinthians 16:5. [source]