1 Corinthians 16:2
On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed.
On the first day of every week
This phrase indicates the early Christian practice of gathering on Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection. The Greek term "μίαν σαββάτου" (mian sabbatou) translates to "first of the week," signifying a shift from the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) to the Lord's Day (Sunday). This transition highlights the new covenant and the resurrection's centrality in Christian worship. Historically, this practice is supported by early church writings, such as those of Justin Martyr, who noted Sunday as the day of communal worship and thanksgiving.

each of you should set aside a portion of his income
The Greek word "θησαυρίζων" (thesaurizōn) means to store up or treasure. This instruction emphasizes intentionality and regularity in giving, reflecting a heart of stewardship. The act of setting aside a portion signifies prioritizing God's work and acknowledging His provision. This practice is rooted in the Old Testament principle of tithing, yet it is transformed in the New Testament to reflect voluntary and cheerful giving, as seen in 2 Corinthians 9:7.

saving it up
The phrase "saving it up" suggests a disciplined approach to financial stewardship. The Greek "θησαυρίζων" (thesaurizōn) again implies accumulating or treasuring. This reflects a proactive and planned approach to giving, ensuring that resources are available for the needs of the church and its mission. It underscores the importance of foresight and responsibility in managing one's resources for the kingdom's advancement.

so that when I come, no collections will be needed
Paul's intention here is to ensure that the collection for the Jerusalem church is ready upon his arrival, avoiding any last-minute pressure or compulsion. The Greek "λογίαι" (logiai) refers to collections or contributions. This approach promotes orderliness and prevents any disruption in worship or ministry. It also reflects Paul's desire for transparency and integrity in handling financial matters, ensuring that the church's generosity is a willing and joyful expression of faith.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter, providing guidance to the Corinthian church on orderly giving.

2. Corinthian Church
The recipients of the letter, a diverse and dynamic early Christian community in Corinth.

3. Jerusalem Church
The intended beneficiaries of the collection, experiencing poverty and in need of support.

4. First Day of the Week
Sunday, significant as the day of Christ's resurrection and the early Christian gathering for worship.

5. Collection for the Saints
A financial offering intended to support the believers in Jerusalem.
Teaching Points
Regular and Intentional Giving
Paul instructs believers to set aside a portion of their income regularly. This teaches us the importance of disciplined and intentional financial stewardship in our Christian walk.

Community Support
The collection was for the saints in Jerusalem, highlighting the importance of supporting fellow believers in need. We are called to be aware of and respond to the needs within our Christian community.

First Day of the Week
The choice of Sunday for setting aside the offering underscores the significance of aligning our financial practices with our worship and remembrance of Christ's resurrection.

Proportional Giving
The phrase "a portion of your income" suggests giving according to one's means. This encourages us to evaluate our resources and give in a way that reflects our gratitude and trust in God's provision.

Preparation and Planning
Paul’s instruction to prepare the collection in advance teaches us the value of planning and foresight in our giving, ensuring that our contributions are ready when needed.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the practice of setting aside a portion of income on the first day of the week reflect our priorities and values as Christians?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our giving is both intentional and cheerful, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 9:7?

3. How can we identify and respond to the needs of our local and global Christian communities, similar to the Corinthian church's support for the Jerusalem church?

4. What steps can we take to align our financial practices with our faith, particularly in the context of regular and proportional giving?

5. How does the principle of storing treasures in heaven, as taught by Jesus, influence our approach to financial stewardship and generosity?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 20:7
This verse describes the early Christians gathering on the first day of the week, reinforcing the practice mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:2.

2 Corinthians 9:7
Paul emphasizes the importance of giving willingly and cheerfully, which complements the instruction in 1 Corinthians 16:2.

Romans 15:26
Paul mentions the contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem, providing context for the collection.

Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven, which aligns with the principle of setting aside resources for God's work.

Galatians 6:10
Encourages doing good to all, especially to those in the household of faith, supporting the idea of the collection for the saints.
The Law of Christian GivingR. Tuck 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2
Charity: its Principles and MethodsF. W. Robertson, M.A.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Christian GivingJ. T. C. Gullan.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Christian PhilanthropyD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Church GiftsJ.R. Thomson 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Collection in ChurchU. R. Thomas.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Collections1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Concerning the CollectionE. Hundall 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
On Living by RuleDean Goulburn.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The Cooperation of Church and MinisterJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The Gladness of Giving1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The PoorM. Dods, D. D.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The Theology of MoneyJ.Parker, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The Weekly OfferingW. G. Lewis.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Charity; its Systematic Mode of ExerciseC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 16:1-5
People
Achaicus, Apollos, Aquila, Corinthians, Fortunatus, Paul, Prisca, Priscilla, Stephanas, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Achaia, Asia, Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Jerusalem, Macedonia
Topics
Aside, Business, Collections, Contributions, Degree, Gain, Gatherings, Granted, Home, Income, Keeping, Lay, Laying, Measure, Money, Necessary, Prosper, Prospered, Save, Saving, Store, Sum, Treasuring, Week, Whatever, Whenever
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 16:2

     4921   day
     5338   holiday
     5414   money, stewardship
     5967   thrift
     7430   Sabbath, in NT
     7930   Lord's Day, the
     8436   giving, of possessions
     8488   tithing

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

     7025   church, unity
     7155   saints
     8223   dedication

1 Corinthians 16:1-3

     5325   gifts
     7241   Jerusalem, significance

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

     7402   offerings

Library
Strong and Loving
'Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14. Let all your things be done with charity.'--1 COR. xvi. 13, 14. There is a singular contrast between the first four of these exhortations and the last. The former ring sharp and short like pistol-shots; the last is of gentler mould. The former sound like the word of command shouted from an officer along the ranks; and there is a military metaphor running all through them. The foe threatens to advance; let the guards keep their
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Anathema and Grace
'The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. 22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha. 23. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.'--1 COR. xvi. 21-24. Terror and tenderness are strangely mingled in this parting salutation, which was added in the great characters shaped by Paul's own hand, to the letter written by an amanuensis. He has been obliged, throughout the whole epistle, to assume a tone of remonstrance
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Faithful Steward
"GOD IS LOVE." Perfectly blessed in Himself, he desired that other intelligences should participate in his own holy felicity. This was his primary motive in creating moral beings. They were made in his own image--framed to resemble him in their intellectual and moral capacities, and to imitate him in the spirit of their deportment. Whatever good they enjoyed, like him, they were to desire that others might enjoy it with them; and thus all were to be bound together by mutual sympathy,--linked
Sereno D. Clark—The Faithful Steward

The Twenty-Second Psalm.
The Cross of Christ. THE Twenty-second Psalm contains a most remarkable prophecy. The human instrument through whom this prophecy was given is King David. The Psalm does not contain the experience of the King, though he passed through great sufferings, yet the sufferings he speaks of in this Psalm are not his own. They are the sufferings of Christ. It is written in the New Testament that the prophets searched and enquired diligently about the coming salvation. The Spirit of Christ, which was in
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Of the Duties which we are to Perform after Receiving the Holy Communion, Called Action or Practice.
The duty which we are to perform after the receiving of the Lord's Supper is called action or practice, without which all the rest will minister to us no comfort. The action consists of two sorts of duties:---First, Such as we are to perform in the church, or else after we are gone home. Those that we are to perform in the church are either several from our own souls, or else jointly with the congregation. The several duties which thou must perform from thine own soul are three:--First, Thou must
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Apostolic Scriptures.
"And I think that I also have the Spirit of God."--1 Cor. vii. 40. We have seen that the apostolate has an extraordinary significance and occupies a unique position. This position is twofold, viz., temporary, with reference to the founding of the first churches, and permanent, with regard to the churches of all ages. The first must necessarily be temporary, for what was then accomplished can not be repeated. A tree can be planted only once; an organism can be born only once; the planting or founding
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Clergyman and the Prayer Book.
Dear pages of ancestral prayer, Illumined all with Scripture gold, In you we seem the faith to share Of saints and seers of old. Whene'er in worship's blissful hour The Pastor lends your heart a voice, Let his own spirit feel your power, And answer, and rejoice. In the present chapter I deal a little with the spirit and work of the Clergyman in his ministration of the ordered Services of the Church, reserving the work of the Pulpit for later treatment. THE PRAYER BOOK NOT PERFECT BUT INESTIMABLE.
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

"And Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"And watch unto prayer." "Watch." A Christian should watch. A Christian is a watchman by office. This duty of watchfulness is frequently commanded and commended in scripture, Matt. xxiv. 42, Mark xiii. 33, 1 Cor. xvi. 13, Eph. vi. 18, 1 Pet. v. 8, Col. iv. 2; Luke xii. 37. David did wait as they that did watch for the morning light. The ministers of the gospel are styled watchmen in scripture and every Christian should be to himself as a minister is to his flock, he should watch over
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

For if they be Urged from the Gospel that they Should Put Nothing By...
31. For if they be urged from the Gospel that they should put nothing by for the morrow, they most rightly answer, "Why then had the Lord Himself a bag in which to put by the money which was collected? [2572] Why so long time beforehand, on occasion of impending famine, were supplies of corn sent to the holy fathers? [2573] Why did Apostles in such wise provide things necessary for the indigence of saints lest there should be lack thereafter, that most blessed Paul should thus write to the Corinthians
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Tithing
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10). Down deep in the heart of every Christian there is undoubtedly the conviction that he ought to tithe. There is an uneasy feeling that this is a duty which has been neglected, or, if you prefer it, a privilege that has not been
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

The Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it. Exod 20: 8-11. This
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered?
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

Concerning Worship.
Concerning Worship. [780] All true and acceptable worship to God is offered in the inward and immediate moving and drawing of his own Spirit which is neither limited to places times, nor persons. For though we are to worship him always, and continually to fear before him; [781] yet as to the outward signification thereof, in prayers, praises, or preachings, we ought not to do it in our own will, where and when we will; but where and when we are moved thereunto by the stirring and secret inspiration
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation.
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Things Pertaining to the Kingdom.
"Now is there solemn pause in earth and heaven; The Conqueror now His bonds hath riven, And Angels wonder why He stays below; Yet hath not man his lesson learned, How endless love should be returned." Hitherto our thoughts about "The Kingdom of Heaven" have been founded on the teaching of the King respecting His Kingdom recorded in the Gospels. But we must not forget to give attention to the very important time in the life of our Lord extending between His Resurrection and Ascension, during which
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

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