1 Corinthians 16:1
in 1 Corinthians 16Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.
KJV
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
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This verse in 1 Corinthians 16
Commentary
11 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Now concerning the collection for the saints - The use of the article here shows that he had mentioned it to them before, and that it was a subject which they would readily understand. It was not new to them, but it was needful only to give some instructions in regard to the manner in which it should be done, and not in regard to the occasion for the collection, or the duty of making it. Accordingly, all his instructions relate simply to the manner in which the collection should be made.
This site's exposition
the collection for the saints
on 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Now concerning the collection for the saints: the last peri de of the letter turns to the relief fund for the Jerusalem poor that occupies Paul across four epistles and years of travel, Gentile churches carrying material aid to the mother church whose spiritual things they had received, the theology Romans 15:27 states outright. The method is the first Christian giving system on record: upon the first day of the week, every one of you, lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, weekly, universal, private, and proportionate, and the bench draws each mark, with the first-day timing standing among the early evidences of Lord's-day observance. That there be no gatherings when I come guards the gift from pressure, and verses 3 and 4 guard it from suspicion, the churches' own approved men carrying their liberality with letters, Paul refusing sole custody of other men's money, the pattern 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 makes explicit.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
Having completed his discourse concerning doctrines, and being about to enter upon that which belongs rather to morals, he dismisses every thing else and proceeds to the chief of good things, discoursing about alms. Nor does he discuss morals in general, but when he hath treated of this matter alone, he leaves off. A thing however obviously unlike what he did every where else; for of alms and of temperance and of meekness and of long-suffering and of all the rest, he treats in the other Epistles in the conclusion. For what reason then doth he handle here this part only of practical morality? Because the greater part also of what had been spoken before was of an ethical nature: I mean, where he chastised the fornicator; where he was correcting those who go to law among Gentiles; where he terrified the drunkards and the gluttons; where he condemned the seditious, the contentious, and those who loved to have the preeminence; where those who unworthily approach the Mysteries were delivered over by him unto that intolerable sentence; where he discoursed concerning love. For this cause, I say, the subject which most pressed on him, viz. the aid required for the saints, this alone he mentions. And observe his consideration. When he had persuaded them concerning the resurrection, and made them more earnest, then and not till then he discusses this point also. And he calls the collection logian (a "contribution,") immediately from the very first making out the things to be easy. […]
These things therefore being manifest to us, and since we look into the depths of the divine knowledge, it behooves us to do all things in [their proper] order, which the Lord has commanded us to perform at stated times. He has enjoined offerings [to be presented] and service to be performed [to Him], and that not thoughtlessly or irregularly, but at the appointed times and hours.
The Medieval Church2 voices
Having finished the dogmatic teaching, he turned to the chief of virtues — almsgiving. He calls it a collection in order to lighten the matter from its very beginning. For what was collected from many was easy for each one. Then he urges them to …
Above, through the entire succession of the letter, the Apostle proposed to the Corinthians a general teaching; in this final chapter, he proposes to them a special and particular teaching. And concerning this he does two things. First, he instructs them about what they ought …
The Reformation1 voice
Now, however, he prescribes the method of relief; and that the Corinthians may accede to it the more readily, he mentions that he had already prescribed it to the Churches of Galatia; for they would necessarily be the more influenced by example, as we are wont to feel a natural backwardness to anything that is not ordinarily practiced.
4 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Note, The good examples of other Christians and churches should excite in us a holy emulation. It is becoming a Christian not to bear to be outdone by a fellow-christian in any thing virtuous and praise-worthy, provided this consideration only makes him exert himself, not envy others; and the more advantages we have above others the more should we endeavour to exceed them.
Now concerning the collection for the saints,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
24:17; compare 2Co 8:4; He says "saints" rather than "the poor," to remind the Corinthians that in giving, it is to the Lord's people, their own brethren in the faith. Towards the close of the national existence of the Jews, Judea and Jerusalem were harassed with various troubles, which in part affected the Jewish Christians.
The collection for the saints - Περι - της λογιας, from λεγω, to gather, or collect; translated by the Vulgate, de collectis, a contribution made by the rich for the relief of the poor. The Christians living at Jerusalem, we may naturally suppose, were greatly straitened; as the enmity of their countrymen to the Gospel of Christ led them to treat those who professed it with cruelty, and spoil them of their goods; (see Heb 10:34; and Rom 15:26; and see the note Rom 15:27); and the apostle hereby teaches that it was the duty of one Christian congregation to help another when in distress.
The words behind it
18 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Περὶ | peri | Concerning | G4012 → | 332 times |
| δὲ | de | now | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| τῆς | tes | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| λογείας | logeias | collection | G3048 → | |
| τῆς | tes | which [is] | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| εἰς | eis | for | G1519 → | 1755 times |
| τοὺς | tous | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἁγίους | hagious | saints | G40 → | 220 times |
| ὥσπερ | hosper | as | G5618 → | 36 times |
| διέταξα | dietaxa | I have directed | G1299 → | 16 times |
| ταῖς | tais | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἐκκλησίαις | ekklesiais | churches | G1577 → | 113 times |
| τῆς | tes | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| Γαλατίας, | galatias | of Galatia, | G1053 → | |
| οὕτως | houtos | so | G3779 → | 208 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ὑμεῖς | humeis | you yourselves | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| ποιήσατε. | poiesate | do perform. | G4160 → | 569 times |
ΠερὶConcerning
periG4012 →332 times
δὲnow
deG1161 →2765 times
τῆςthe
tesG3588 →19766 times
λογείαςcollection
logeiasG3048 →
τῆςwhich [is]
tesG3588 →19766 times
εἰςfor
eisG1519 →1755 times
τοὺςthe
tousG3588 →19766 times
ἁγίουςsaints
hagiousG40 →220 times
ὥσπερas
hosperG5618 →36 times
διέταξαI have directed
dietaxaG1299 →16 times
ταῖςthe
taisG3588 →19766 times
ἐκκλησίαιςchurches
ekklesiaisG1577 →113 times
τῆς<the>
tesG3588 →19766 times
Γαλατίας,of Galatia,
galatiasG1053 →
οὕτωςso
houtosG3779 →208 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ὑμεῖςyou yourselves
humeisG4771 →2973 times
ποιήσατε.do perform.
poiesateG4160 →569 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 John 3:17If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
it leads to
- Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Isaiah 58:7–10
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own…
- 1 John 4:20
If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
- Deuteronomy 15:7–11
If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or…
- Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
- Hebrews 13:16
Through
Romans 12:13Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
it leads to
- 1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 2 Corinthians 9:12
For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
- Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
- 1 John 3:17
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About 1 Corinthians
Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians; Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians (Clement); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentaries; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Corinthians 43; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Corinthians.