First Corinthians

· These people didn’t know the saints in Jerusalem personally; they are giving to them only because they are saints in need. So we see the unity of the church as a whole.

· But even in the manner of giving, we see the unity of the church. It is the same method that Paul has prescribed for the other churches. We do the same thing, in the same way; we are one.

· If we brought it to the church each Sunday, the poor might be embarrassed if we saw how little they had to bring. Offerings were very public in those times. By setting it aside and bringing it in all at once, even the poor will have an offering with which to be satisfied.

· As a practical point, it decreases the workload of those administering the church – but it also spreads the responsibility. Think of a building fund drive: if it doesn’t reach its goals, do we not tend to hold the committee in charge to be responsible? Yet who does the giving? So Paul puts the burden where it belongs, and in so doing unites the church.

· The financial methods of the time make this important. Unlike today, when most people are salaried, in those days income might be sporadic. You could have many weeks of nothing (and embarrassment) and one week of plenty. Both would be scrutinized to your embarrassment.

· This method also makes each of us a steward over the things of God. Instead of a committee to handle the money, we become stewards in small things. If faithful in little, faithful in much – and the faithful build the church.

· Finally, so that it would be “no big deal” when Paul finally came – no publicity campaign, nothing. So it would not be seen as “Paul squeezed a gift out of them” but rather that they gave generously – which unites both gift and giver.

· Paul tells them to pick and choose – thus refusing to impose himself upon them in such matters. They therefore feel strong in their own congregation.

· But he does tell them he will write letters of introduction – thus guaranteeing that he will ratify their decision and smooth their path. This unites him again with them, and with the church in Jerusalem.

· If that were not enough, he even proposes to accompany them to Jerusalem, as if to add honor to their gift. In this courtesy he makes it clear that he is their Apostle who corrects them, not their dictator.

· There is a great work in Ephesus – great opportunity. They would see this as reason enough.

· There is also great opposition! Most of us would see that as God telling us to move on; not Paul. He sees it as a sign that Satan has recognized the danger. Duty calls; the Corinthians would see this as his work in the one church.

· First, because Paul is an old, experienced warrior – and Timothy is not. He’s a young man, and likely to be intimidated by some of those in Corinth. But Timothy carries Paul’s message. So Paul asks his friends for the intimate favor: take care of my little buddy.

· Paul is deliberately sending Timothy to them – with the same message in person that Paul has put in this letter. Timothy is likely enough to face opposition in this. As stern as Paul has been in the letter, he wants to smooth the road for Timothy. So the chastisement can then be followed by soothing words, which Timothy can deliver in person.

· Mostly, however, it is so that God’s work will go unhindered. The laborer is worthy of his hire, or, as Napoleon said, “Respect the burden.” If your preacher is one who abhors conflict, it is for the unity of the church that you resolve conflict without stressing him.

· He shows the Corinthians that they are, indirectly, obligated to them because they came to Paul with practical help. They brought the help from Corinth that Paul needed.

· He shows them also that – despite the fact that no one likes getting chewed out – they needed the reprimand, or things would have gotten worse. So they have actually performed a service for the Corinthians as well.

· Because they had the guts to do it, Paul tells them that such men should be honored and recognized – because they share in the work too.

· Stand firm in the faith – in other words, use your knowledge of the faith to uphold your church. It is “the faith” – one Lord, one faith, one birth, the central unity for us all.

· Be men of courage. Knowledge is of no use if not coupled with action, and action requires courage. By being strong, you show others the way to be strong – and again, the church is strengthened in this.

· Knowledge and action are not sufficient; you can do all these things in a spirit of stern legalism, which divides the church. Rather, do all these things in love, which unites the church.

· Submit to those in authority over you – or, as we might put it, be a team player. How do we know those in authority? By their work. Not by their title, not by their presumptuousness, not by their learning – by their work.