Chapter Sixteen
1 Cor. 16:1. Now concerning the collection (περί δε της λογίας) for the saints, do as I have ordered (διέταξα) in the churches of Galatia.
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 emulation, relating what had been accomplished by others, as, he says, the Galatians did. He did not say: I proposed, but: "I ordained," — which signifies greater authority, — so that you would know that this is a royal ordinance, and would not neglect this matter.
1 Cor. 16:2. On the first day of the week let each one of you lay aside by himself and save, as much as his means allow.
He calls the first day of the week the Lord's day (Sunday). And by the very day he predisposes them to almsgiving, reminding them of the mysteries celebrated on that day. Very wisely also he commands each person to save aside "as much as his means will allow," that is, whatever God sends and whatever is at hand. For he did not say: bring it immediately, lest he put to shame someone who has little, but: set it aside by yourself, and when the time comes, then bring it.
1 Cor. 16:2. So that no collections be made when I come.
So that, he says, you would not be collecting at the time when it is necessary to distribute. With the words "when I come" he makes them more diligent in the collection, since the donations will be before his eyes.
1 Cor. 16:3. When I come, whomever you choose, I will send them with letters, to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.
He said well, "whom you shall approve," to avoid any scandal, lest they suspect that he wishes to take some portion of the collection for himself. So after the word "approve" place a period, then read: "them I will send with letters." The connection will be as follows: whomever you approve, those I will send with my own letters. He speaks as if to say: I myself will also join them and will take part in this ministry through my letters. He called this matter a "gift" (in Church Slavonic, a grace) — that is, a donation — in order to show that they are accomplishing something great, accomplishing it both without sorrow and without compulsion. For grace is of such a nature. But to call the offering alms would have been unworthy of the saints who were to receive it.
1 Cor. 16:4. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
If, he says, the collection is such that my service is also required, then I too will go. By this he also disposes them to generosity. He also wants to have witnesses that he will take nothing for himself. Therefore he says: they will go with me.
1 Cor. 16:5-7. I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia; for I am going through Macedonia. And with you perhaps I will stay, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way, wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you now in passing, but I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
He did not say: I will go to Macedonia, lest they say: "you prefer the Macedonians to us," but said: I am passing through Macedonia, that is, I am visiting the Macedonians hastily and in passing, but with you I will stay. By this he shows that he prefers them to the Macedonians, as disciples most sincere and most worthy; for the church of Corinth was great. By the word "stay" he frightens those who were sinning. He adds "if the Lord permits" because of uncertainty. For he did not know whether or not this would be permitted him by the Spirit. For the Spirit led him wherever He Himself willed. Being in Ephesus, he intended from there to go to Macedonia, pass through it, and then go to them. By many arguments he proves his affection for them, both by the fact that he does not wish to see them in passing, and by the fact that he desires that they accompany him on his way.
1 Cor. 16:8. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost.
And this is a sign of strong love, that he tells them where he will be, how long he will stay, and even adds the reason. For he continues.
1 Cor. 16:9. For a great and wide door has been opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
That is, many desire to come to the faith, and a wide entrance to them is open to me, since their mind has ripened for the faith. For a teacher is constrained when his students are not diligent; on the contrary, the field is wide for him when his students are ready. For this very reason there are also "many adversaries," for the devil, seeing that his servants are being taken from him, becomes more agitated and raises up adversaries.
1 Cor. 16:10. If Timothy comes to you, see that he may be with you without fear.
Since it was likely that Timothy, upon arriving in Corinth, would reprove those who were sinning and rebuke them, he warns them so that the wealthy wise men would not rise up against him — not because Timothy lacked courage and could fall, but because they themselves could cause harm to themselves. And he was very ready for dangers. He said well: "among you." For do not speak to me of the Greeks, when I require of you what is proper.
1 Cor. 16:10-11. For he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. Therefore let no one despise him.
That is, he preaches and teaches, and not simply, but as I do, which constitutes great praise for Timothy. Since he is such, let no one belittle him. For he was young and alone, and he was entrusted with caring for very many people, and moreover contemptuous ones; it is also likely that he was looked down upon.
1 Cor. 16:11. But send him on his way in peace, that he may come to me, for I await him with the brethren.
He says even more: and show him honor; for this means: "send him on his way. In peace," that is, safely, without struggle and dispute, with all submission. With the words "I am expecting him" he frightens them, so that knowing he will report everything to Paul, they would not offend him in any way, and at the same time presents him as worthy of respect; for he considers him so necessary that he is expecting him.
1 Cor. 16:12. As for brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to go to you with the brethren; but he was by no means willing to come now.
Apollo was both older than Timothy and an eloquent man. Lest they say, why then did he not send him, but the younger one, he says: "I strongly urged him." And he does not say: he opposed me, but, freeing him from blame, he says: "but he was quite unwilling," that is, it was not pleasing to God. And lest they say that this is an excuse and a pretext, he says further.