1 CORINTHIANS
Chapter 16, Verses 1-24
“The Amazing Victory Christ Has Won For Us!”
[7-5-22]
Review: “The Amazing Victory Christ Has Won For Us!
1 Corinthians 15:56-58) [NAS] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;
QUESTION: Why is sin the “sting of death”?
**ANSWER: Sin makes us aware that we are entering the afterlife with charges against us.
QUESTION: What does Paul mean when he says “the power of sin is the law”?
ANSWER: There are two possibilities:
- The Law condemns sin and therefore empowers the court of Heaven to judge sin and to pass sentence on the sinner.
- The “thou shall not” commandments of the Law actually entice us to do the very things the Law forbids. Sin works in us “coveting of every kind.”
NOTE: I’m convinced that it’s possibility number 2. Please note the following verse:
Romans 6:14) [NAS] For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.
NOTE: The above verse is telling us that if we place ourselves under the Law then sin will be our master!
57) but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
QUESTION: What “victory” is Paul referring to?
ANSWER: He’s referring to the victory over death that we have won through the conquest of the Lord Jesus Christ. He paid the penalty for our sins, and, as Christians, we don’t have to fear death and the coming judgment.
58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
NOTE: He’s hoping that as we understand what lies in store for us, as believers, that we will be motivated to moral victories, and to spiritual works.
This Week’s Lesson: “The Amazing Victory Christ Has Won For Us!
1 Corinthians 16:1-24) [NAS] Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also.
2) On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
NOTE: They were to receive offerings for the poor saints in Jerusalem.
Romans 15:25-27) [KJV] But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26) For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27) It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
**NOTE: The famine that Agabus prophesied about could have had lingering effects. Or, some think the Christian Jews were poor because of persecution. No one knows for certain what caused the poverty they were to help relieve through their offerings.
Acts 11:28-30) [KJV] And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29) Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
30) Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
3) And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I shall send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;
4) and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me.
QUESTION: Why were the Corinthian believers to do to provide for the saints in Jerusalem?
ANSWER: They were to decide who from among them they should send to Jerusalem with the gift.
5) But I shall come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia;
6) and perhaps I shall stay with you, or even spend the winter, that you may send me on my way wherever I may go.
7) For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits.
NOTE: Paul was going to visit them after passing through Macedonia. He wanted to visit them when his calendar cleared so he could spend some time with them.
8) But I shall remain in Ephesus until Pentecost;
9) for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
QUESTION: Why was Paul going to” remain in Ephesus until Pentecost”?
ANSWER: God had opened a door of opportunity for Paul to share the Gospel.
10) Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid; for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am.
11) Let no one therefore despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren.
12) But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.
NOTE: We are to honor those who are doing the work of the Gospel. If need be, we are to protect them. We should not despise ministers; i.e., those who are carrying the Gospel message to others. We might not always like someone’s personality, but we should honor them for their obedience to the call of God.
ALSO: We might want a certain minister to do something, but that minister, like Apollos, must do what he or she thinks the Lord is asking them to do.
13) Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
14) Let all that you do be done in love.
NOTE: They should not be careless, but alert. They should “stand firm in the faith” regardless what the cost might be. They should behave like adults, being strong when trials overtake them.
QUESTION: What is the final instruction in the above two verses?
ANSWER: They were to do everything they did in the spirit of Christian love.
NOTE: They were to stand in faith [vs. 13] and act in love [vs. 14]. Faith and love is the sum total of New Testament doctrine. If you do those two things well you will be a mature believer.
15) Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints),
16) that you also be in subjection to such men and to who helps in the work and labors.
NOTE: We should be “in subjection to such men” who preach the Gospel.
QUESTION: To sum it up, what do we learn from verses 10-12 and 15-16?
NOTE: We must never despise a minister, but rather, we should honor them, and if necessary protect them. We should be subject to them when they are among us. We should understand that they must do what they think God wants them to do.
17) And I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus; because they have supplied what was lacking on your part.
18) For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
“This may mean that they showed kindness to the apostle which the Corinthians had neglected to do. Or more probably it means that what the Corinthians were unable to do because of their distance from Paul, these men had accomplished” [BBC].
19) The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
20) All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21) The greeting is in my own hand — Paul.
22) If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Maranatha.
23) The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24) My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.