16:1 Now concerning {1} the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
(1) Collections in ancient times were made by the appointment of the apostle appointment to be the first day of the week, on which day the manner was then to assemble themselves.
16:1 Concluding Words
SUMMARY OF I CORINTHIANS 16:
The Collections for the Saints. The First Day of the Week. His Work at Ephesus. Timothy Commended to Them. Various Friendly Admonitions. Closing Salutations.
Now concerning the collection for the saints. The collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem is referred to more than once in Acts. It was first called for when a great dearth came upon the land (Ac 11:28-30). The church at Jerusalem had been impoverished by the great liberality in its first years, and by the persecutions which followed. See also Ac 24:17. References to this collection are found in Ro 15:26 2Co 8:1,2 9:1,2.
To the churches of Galatia. The directions to the churches of Galatia on this subject have not been preserved. Such hints as this and the reference to a lost letter to the church of Corinth (1Co 5:9), show that all that Paul wrote has not come down to us.
16:1 The saints - A more solemn and a more affecting word, than if he had said, the poor.
16:1-9 The good examples of other Christians and churches should rouse us. It is good to lay up in store for good uses. Those who are rich in this world, should be rich in good works, 1Ti 6:17,18. The diligent hand will not make rich, without the Divine blessing, Pr 10:4,22. And what more proper to stir us up to charity to the people and children of God, than to look at all we have as his gift? Works of mercy are real fruits of true love to God, and are therefore proper services on his own day. Ministers are doing their proper business, when putting forward, or helping works of charity. The heart of a Christian minister must be towards the people among whom he has laboured long, and with success. All our purposes must be made with submission to the Divine providence, Jas 4:15. Adversaries and opposition do not break the spirits of faithful and successful ministers, but warm their zeal, and inspire them with fresh courage. A faithful minister is more discouraged by the hardness of his hearers' hearts, and the backslidings of professors, than by the enemies' attempts.
