Yikes! It was a warm one yesterday! Summer is here a few more days! Nice beautiful morning. Elderberry- chocolate chip scones are in the oven for our "breakfast with the pastor"...house smells delicious! It is going to be a good day!
Paul seems to be responding to a question about a monetary offering asked by the Corinthian church. Paul refers to the Galatian church; in his letter to them, he asked that they offer money to Jerusalem for the care of the poor and widows. It seems as though Paul is asking the same thing of the Corinthian church. Their method of giving was to be systematic ("on the first day of the week" v 2); the first day of the week is Sunday. It is expected of everyone ("each one of you"). The amount of your offering is dependent upon how much you make ("as you have been blessed"). Paul asked that they collection be done before he got there; he didn't want to seem manipulative or seem to be the one taking the money from them (he asked that one of their people take the offering to Jerusalem, v 3).
Paul is currently in Ephesus (v 8) and will be staying there a while; he seems like he has his hands full in Ephesus doing ministry among a hostile crowd (v 9). After Ephesus, he will be going to Macedonia, and will likely stop in Corinth along the way (v 5).
Paul had trouble with the Corinthian Christians not welcoming him and accepting his authority; how would they receive Timothy (v 10)?! We are not sure where Timothy is, but Paul expects a visit.
Paul closes with words of encouragement and strength. The Corinthians are really struggling and Paul's desire is that they remember what Jesus did and the grace offered from God (vv 13- 14).
Stephanus was the head of the household; Fortunatus and Achaius were his two slaves (vv 15-17). These were the three men that brought the letter to Paul. Paul was grateful for their visit and their encouragement to him; something that the church wasn't doing for Paul (v 18).
Paul adds greetings from the Ephesian church that meets in the home of Priscilla and Aquila (v 19). Closing with words of love and peace, we can sense Paul's love for the church in general.
This was an interesting letter. We can definitely sense that there were issues in the Corinthian church and we can see Paul's love for that church. The first letter seems cold and stern, almost disciplinary in nature. The next letter, 2 Corinthians, is more loving and personal; he really pours put his heart to the people in the second letter. We will read about his hopes, fears, joys, concerns, love and pain- something Paul doesn't really share. It will be interesting to see this side of Paul.
Have a great day and tomorrow we begin 2 Corinthians.
Peace+
Pastor Paul
First of all - Elderberry/chocolate chip scones were the best! I had one at church for breakfast and then took one home for lunch! As you know, the kitchen and I are not on the best of terms so what a treat for me!!
ReplyDeleteI am a bit surprised that Paul asks for monetary donations for the widows and poor in Jerusalem when, I think, there are widows and poor in the areas where Paul is asking for the money. I wonder how they felt about that. It seems like Paul is asking the Corinthians to be nice to Timothy, but hasn't he said the same thing in other letters to different regions? Is Timothy a bit on the timid side? This letter does seem a bit cold and stern, but, as we have mentioned many times, is a letter that answers many questions and topics brought up by the Corinthians themselves. I so love both Paul's openings and closings of letters. His closings make great benedictions! Hope everyone is staying warm!!
I love baking!
DeleteI look at Paul's request for donations like our requests for donations. It is mission and ministry. Do we have people in our local area that can use help- sure, but we also donate to outside agencies.
Timothy was timid and shy- thus the need for people to treat him "nicely" Paul had been with Timothy a few times and noticed his "introvertedness" I guess!
Thanks Donna
It does seem like Paul is asking the Corinthians to be nice to Timothy! I’ve wondered about Timothy before. I wish we knew more about him. He seems to get asked to do a lot of things that he doesn’t want to do. I’m sure he has great faith in order to keep going.
ReplyDeleteI like vs 13- be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. Paul sounds like a coach urging his team to be their best selves. Sometimes we really need someone to say Be strong! You can do it! Everyone needs encouragement once in a while.
I wonder how long it took a letter to get from Paul to all these places. Probably a long time.
This was a letter with a lot of instruction but some beautiful imagery as well.
Timothy was new to the faith and an understudy of Paul. Paul saw him and recognized leadership qualities in Timothy- even through his timidness.
DeleteI like the coach analogy! Great! We do need encouragement once in a while!
Thanks Cathy!
I am at a loss. I can think of nothing to say about this chapter. The past 2 days have been awfully busy and last night, I was much too tired.
ReplyDeleteLast night, Rhea read chapters 14 and 15. My ears perked up in Chapter 14 when she got to the part about women having to keep quiet. At the outset of the passage she said that it for very hard for her to read, but after a few versus, the words "this is bull****" came out. The treatment of women has really changed over the years and for the better. I can think of several homes where the woman is the principal bread winner. We need to make "equal pay for equal work" a reality before we are finished.
She read chapter 15, but I had zoned out by then and I didn't understand a thing.
As for chapter 16, I think that this is the first time I have heard about offerings. By the sound of it, I think Paul expected everybody to tithe. I also sounds like Paul was having trouble in his other churches in the area.
Women keep quiet?! I am not touching that one Jack! I can imagine Rhea's thoughts about these words!! Women are critical for so many things!
ReplyDeleteThe Corinthian church was in trouble and this letter was Paul trying to get them back on track!
Thanks JAck!