AN OFFERING AND AN OPEN DOOR

Passage: 1 Corinthians 16:1-9

Key verse: 8

NIV

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection(A) for the Lord’s people:(B) Do what I told the Galatian(C) churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week,(D) each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.(E) 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve(F) and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Personal Requests

5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you(G)—for I will be going through Macedonia.(H) 6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey,(I) wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.(J) 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus(K) until Pentecost,(L) 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me,(M) and there are many who oppose me.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Collection for the Saints

16 Now concerning[a] (A)the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On (B)the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, (C)as he may prosper, (D)so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send (E)those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

Plans for Travel

5 (F)I will visit you after passing through (G)Macedonia, for (H)I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may (I)help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now (J)just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, (K)if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until (L)Pentecost, 9 for (M)a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and (N)there are many adversaries.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 16:1 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1; also verse 12
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. An offering for Jerusalem (1-4)

Paul turns his attention from the glorious resurrection to a seemingly mundane matter--the offering. This particular offering was very important to Paul. He risked his life to deliver it to Jerusalem. The saints in Jerusalem needed material help, but more than this, they needed tangible evidence of God's work among the Gentiles. They needed world mission vision. The Gentile Christians also needed to make a sacrificial gift. An offering is a spiritual thermometer, and Christians who give are growing Christians.

2. An open door (5-9)

Paul described his work in Ephesus as an open door--with many opponents. When God is working, Satan also works. This is not the time to retreat or give up. So Paul stayed in Ephesus.

Prayer: Lord, help me to give sacrificially, so that I may participate in your work and my faith may grow.

One Word: A sacrificial offering and an open door