1 Corinthians 16, 2 Corinthians 1-2

The true Church of God has always been, and will always be, obedient observers of Christ's only true Christian Sabbath - the Seventh Day of the week (see How To Be A True Christian - Lesson 4). Rather than doing the work of gathering contributions of food (or food to be marketed from which the income was donated) on the Sabbath, the apostle Paul (see Paul's Ministry) instructed that they take care of that business on the first day of the week, which is a work day. This principle was not merely Paul's idea e.g. "^13:15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. ^13:16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. ^13:17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?" (Nehemiah 13:15-17 KJV).

"^16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches [see What Is The Church? and Church of God] of Galatia, even so do ye. ^16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. ^16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. ^16:4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me." (1 Corinthians 16:1-4 KJV)

Paul's instructions also included matters that were specific to that time, such as his travel schedule. Was Paul aware that his letter to the Corinthians would one day be included in the Holy Scriptures? Very likely not, which only further enhances the "real life" quality of all of the Bible.

"^16:5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. ^16:6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and Winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. ^16:7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. ^16:8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost [see Christ's Pentecost; listen also to the Sermons Christ's Pentecost and Pentecost, A Day Of Reckoning from our Sermons page]. ^16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

^16:10 Now if Timotheos come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. ^16:11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

^16:12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

^16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. ^16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.

^16:15 I beseech you, brethren, ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints, ^16:16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. ^16:17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. ^16:18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such." (1 Corinthians 16:5-18 KJV)

Paul's first epistle (see Epistles) to the Corinthian church ends with final greetings and blessings.

"^16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla [see Priscilla and Aquila] salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house [see the Fact Finder question below]. ^16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

^16:21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

^16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha [see Anathema].

^16:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you [see Growing In The Grace And Knowledge].

^16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen." (1 Corinthians 16:19-24 KJV)

2 Corinthians Chapter 1

Paul's second Epistle to the Corinthian church was written a few months after his first (the first was written while Paul was in Ephesus). From Ephesus, he had journeyed through Troas to Macedonia where the second epistle to the Corinthians was written, possible while he was in Philippi (see Paul's First Missionary Journey, Paul's Second Missionary Journey and Paul's Third Missionary Journey).

"^1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God [see The Holy Father], and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints [see What Is A Saint?] which are in all Achaia:

^1:2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ^1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; ^1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation [see Trials and Tribulations and No Pain, No Gain], that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. ^1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. ^1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. ^1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

^1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: ^1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead [see What Happens When You Die? and Resurrections]: ^1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; ^1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf." (2 Corinthians 1:1-11 KJV)

Although Paul taught boldly, he never did so by his own authority, but rather as a servant of both The Lord and His people: "^1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand" (2 Corinthians 1:24 KJV).

"^1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our Conscience [see also Concupiscence], that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. ^1:13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; ^1:14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

^1:15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; ^1:16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea. ^1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

^1:18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. ^1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. ^1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. ^1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; ^1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

^1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. ^1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand." (2 Corinthians 1:12-24 KJV)

2 Corinthians Chapter 2

Paul sometimes taught by means of making people realize the gravity of the personal decision that each person has to make when it comes to their salvation (see Bind and Loose).

"^2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. ^2:2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? ^2:3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. ^2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you." (2 Corinthians 2:1-4 KJV)

Paul warned against tolerating defiant sin, but also encouraged forgiveness for those who repent. It wasn't a matter of "forgiving a sinner" (which only God can do), but rather a matter of having Compassion for a fellow sinner who has had problems. Everyone is a sinner; it's even a sin to claim to not be a sinner i.e. "^1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ^1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ^1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:8-9 KJV).

"^2:5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. ^2:6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. ^2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. ^2:8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. ^2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. ^2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; ^2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Corinthians 2:5-11 KJV)

"^2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:17 KJV) attests to how the Truth has always been perverted by "many," in the world as it now is (see A Brainwashed World).

"^2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, ^2:13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

^2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. ^2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: ^2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? ^2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:12-17 KJV)

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