For the first time, the first day of the week (Sunday) is mentioned as the day Christians gather for worship (v 2). Paul instructs the community of believers to give every week when they worship together, according to their income (v 2). This was important for a church like Corinth, divided along lines of rich and poor. 

Paul’s words demonstrate the unity of the church: rich and poor alike are to give; neither are there to be divisions of Jew and Gentile – the Gentile church in Corinth supports the Jewish church in Jerusalem (v 3). The word used for ‘gift’ in verse 3 indicates that giving is a ‘grace’. The two local churches are united in that they both receive grace from Jesus, and give out of that grace.

Paul then explains his travel plans (vs 5–9). Travel was hard and slow, especially in winter. Staying in Ephesus until Pentecost meant that Paul would eventually reach Corinth before winter (vs 6,8). Notice that all of Paul’s plans depend on the Lord’s will (v 7). There is a balance between having a plan and still being dependent on the Lord. Meanwhile, his fellow workers, Timothy and Apollos, continue ‘the work of the Lord’ (vs 10–12). What do we learn from these verses about how we might support our fellow workers in the gospel today?

Here is love, vast as the ocean, / loving kindness as the flood.’¹ 

When we think about 1 Corinthians and the theme of love our minds naturally turn to chapter 13. Yet chapter 16 also contains much material that helps us to love well. True, the soaring language of 1 Corinthians 13 gives way to something which on the surface seems much more mundane. Paul sets out a framework for giving (vs 1–4), shares his tentative travel plans (vs 5–8) and gives instructions about receiving Timothy (vs 10,11). A superficial reading of the text might suggest that there’s not much to excite us or instruct us here. 

Yet in these seemingly humdrum, everyday details we learn much about love. Offering hospitality to a rather fearful travelling preacher shows love, as does planned, regular sacrificial giving. Both are much needed today, especially in the West. We are poor at opening our homes to all but close family and friends, especially if the visitor might stay for a while. Most of us have far more capacity to give to God’s work than we admit. Paul would want to challenge us by saying, ‘Where is your love?’ Reflecting on the self-giving love of Christ leads us to change our priorities and with it our way of life. Love is nothing if it does not transform our actions. 

Showing real love will not be easy. Did you notice the dynamic of verses 8 and 9? Paul is opposed by many in Ephesus. What is his response? Will he leave and go somewhere easier? That might be our answer, but not Paul's. No, because a great door for gospel work has swung wide open he is committed to stay. Real love is deeply practical. It takes character and involves hard choices. We need 1 Corinthians 13 to help us to love as Christ loved us. But we need 1 Corinthians 16 as well. 

How can you respond to the challenges set out in this passage: hospitality, financial giving and loving when it is difficult? 

¹ William Rees, 1802–83; tr William Edwards, 1845–1929