1Co 16:1-4 What was the purpose of the collection Paul was taking up? See Acts 24:17, Rom 15:25-27, 2 Cor 8:1-4,13-14. How would such a gift have made the Gentile Christians more acceptable to the believing Jews? Is it significant that it was on the first day of the week that Paul told them to set aside and save? See Acts 20:7, Rev 1:10. Is it significant that it was not on the Jewish Sabbath that he said to do so?
1Co 16:5-9 How was Paul’s statement that he would come to the Corinthians after going through Macedonia a change in his original plans? See 2 Cor 1:15-16. Why did he change his plans? See 1Co 16:7, 2 Cor 1:23-2:1. Were the Corinthians offended by this? See 2 Cor 1:17. What does 1Co 16:8 teach us about when and from where Paul wrote 1 Corinthians? Did Paul consider the fact that there were many adversaries to his work in Ephesus a reason to leave or to stay? How is that an example for us in our service to the Lord? Who were the adversaries? See Acts 19:8-9,23f, 1 Cor 15:32.
1Co 16:10-12 Why had Paul sent Timothy to the Corinthians? See 1Co 4:16-17. Note: it is certain that Paul would also have had in mind for Timothy to prepare the way for his coming to Corinth, especially in regard to the offering he was taking up for the saints in Judea. Why does Paul say in 1Co 16:10, “if” Timothy comes? Note: the Greek word would be better translated here as “when/whenever” as it is in 1 John 2:28 and 3:2; this conditional particle is often used to denote the certainty of an event even when its timing is unknown, as in John 12:32 and 14:3. Why would the timing of Timothy’s arrival in Corinth be uncertain? See Acts 19:22. Note: Paul did not send Timothy directly to Corinth, but into Macedonia first—again to prepare for his coming, especially in regard to the collection for the saints. That Timothy was to continue on to Corinth is implied by the fact that he was accompanied by Erastus, who was evidently from Corinth (see Rom 16:23 which was written from Corinth, as well as 2 Tim 4:20). Who are the “brethren” with whom Paul expects Timothy to come, and where did he expect to meet him? See 2 Cor 1:1, 7:5-6, 12:18. Why do you suppose Apollos was not willing to go to Corinth with the brethren who would deliver Paul’s letter?
1Co 16:13-14 With what five commands does Paul admonish the Corinthians in these verses? Why did he feel it necessary for them to be on the alert and stand firm in the faith? See Acts 20:29-31, 2 Cor 2:17, 4:2, 11:2-5, 12:11-12. Is it significant in light of the improprieties by some of the women in Corinth (see 11:5-6,13, 14:34-38) that Paul admonishes the Corinthians to “act like men” and “be strong”? See Jer 51:30, Nah 3:13, Isaiah 3:12. What does he mean to “be strong”? See Luke 1:80, 2:40, and Eph 3:16 for the only other occurrences of this word in the NT. How does 1Co 16:14 summarize the solution to all of the problems that the Corinthians were facing?
1Co 16:15-24 What two qualities commended the household of Stephanas to the Corinthians? How should the church respond to such servants? See 1Co 16:16,18. Should Christians subject themselves to just anyone? To what sort of men should they subject themselves? What do you suppose was lacking on the part of the Corinthians that Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus supplied? How would their presence with Paul have refreshed both Paul’s spirit and the spirit of those back in Corinth? How do the last three verses demonstrate Paul’s sincere devotion both to the Lord and to the Corinthians?