Reading for October 15th

Read 1 Corinthians 16.1-24. In verses 1-4: Answering questions about the collection.  In verse 1: Collection for the saints: This was a major project for Paul during his ministry in the Aegean (2 Cor 8-9; Rom 15.25-29; Gal 2.10). In verse 2: When I come: In vv. 5-9 Paul explains his plans to visit them. In verse 3: Jerusalem: the collection was for the poor Christians in Jerusalem (Rom 15.26). In verses 5-9: Travel plans. V. 8 confirms that Paul is writing from Ephesus. The churches he began in Philippi and Thessalonica were located in Macedonia (Acts 16-17). Send me on my way suggests hospitality and financial assistance (Rom 15.22). Pentecost occurred in the spring, fifty days after Passover (Lev 23.15-21). In verses 10-12: Paul's co-workers. In verses 10-11: Timothy was with Paul on his founding visit to Corinth (Acts 18.5). He may be the one delivering the letter to Corinth (see 4.17). The identity of the brothers is not known. In verse 12: Apollos was an important figure within the Corinthian church (1.12; 3.4-6, 22: 4.6). This picture confirmed  by Acts (18.27-19.1). At the time of this writing, he is with Paul in Ephesus. In verse 13-14: Concluding advice. Thee brief injunctions are all defined by love (ch. 13). In verse 15-18: Commending valuable co-workers. Paul himself baptized the household of Stephanas (1.16). Their conversion apparently preceded that of Crispus and Gailus (1.14). In verse 16: Leadership derives from service. In verse 17: They may have been the source of Paul's information for various issues (see 5.1). In verse 19-24: Final greeting. Inverse 19: Churches of Asia-would include Ephesus primarily (Acts 19). As usual, Aquila and Prisca have established a house church in Ephesus (Acts 18.2; Rom 16.3-5). In verse 20: Holy kiss: This practice of greeting at worship may have originated in Christian circles (Rom 16.16; 2 Cor 13.12). In verse 21: Paul's remark implies his use of a secretary for writing (or copying) the rest of the letter (Gal 6.11; Col 4.18). In verse 22: These words seem harsh, especially linked with love for the Lord. Our Lord, come! indicates Paul's eagerness for the end. In verses 23-24: The benediction while brief expresses important Pauline sentiments (see 2 Cor 13.13; Rom 16.20; 1 Thess 5.28). Comments or Questions..