Glad to have you back again at Daily Bread as we complete our study of The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. As you may remember from the book of Acts 11:28, there was a dearth (lack of food, famine) throughout the world. The disciples started up a collection for the believers in Judæa, and Paul was sort of in charge of getting the money delivered to the elders there so it could be dispersed. Paul gives loving advice..

Now concerning the collection for the saints,
as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, you do the same.
On the first day of the week (Sunday) let every one of you set his contributions aside,
as God has prospered him, so that there are no collections when I come.
 

This was a real smart move on Paul’s part, don’t you think? Everyone knows how uncomfortable it is when money is collected for any reason, so to avoid this awkward occasion, Paul tells them to do it before his visit to them, and that way, he doesn’t have to discuss it, which avoids any feelings of shame and/or pride for anyone.

MORE LOVING ADVICE

And when I come, whoever you shall approve by your letters,
I will send them to bring your generosity to Jerusalem.
And if it’s proper that I go to Jerusalem also, they shall go with me.
Now I will visit you, when I pass through Macedonia:
because I do plan to pass through Macedonia.
And it may be that I will stay with you for the winter,
that you may bring me on my journey wherever I go.
For I will not see you now on the way;
but I trust to stay a while with you, if the Lord permit.
But I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost.
For a great door and opportunity is opened to me there,
and there are many adversaries.
 

If this letter was written before Paul went to Ephesus for the first time, he must have heard that there were many unbelievers there who he could convert. If it was written after he went to Ephesus, he must have meant that he thought this was a good time to return there because although he had stayed in Ephesus for two years, he had to leave sooner than he planned when there was an uproar because people were beginning to believe in Jesus instead of their goddess Diana, which brought Ephesus great revenues. You can read about this in Acts, Chapter 19. In either case, Paul knew that the people there needed the Lord.

As Paul closes his letter, he gives some instruction and loving advice to the Corinthians.

Now if Timotheus visits, see that he may be with you without fear:
for he works for the Lord, as I also do.
Let no man therefore hate him:
but send him forth in peace, that he may visit me:
for I look forward to seeing him with the brethren.
 

Timothy, as you know from the book of Acts, was beloved of Paul, and Paul sent him to various places to minister to the people that he had brought the Gospel to. In other words Paul would establish a Church and Timothy would check in on the Churches Paul established. Naturally, he wanted the Corinthians to make him feel at home.

LOVING ADVICE HOPE AND LOVING ADVICE BLESSINGS

As concerning our brother Apollos,
I greatly hoped for him to visit you with the brethren:
but his wish was not at all to come at this time;
but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

I beseech you, brethren, (you know the house of Stephanas,
that it is the first fruits of Achaia [the first to become Christians in Achaia],
and that they have dedicated themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
that you make your hospitality available to them,
and to every one that helps with us, and labors for Jesus.
I’m glad Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus are coming to visit:
because that which I needed, they have supplied.
They have refreshed my spirit and yours:
therefore acknowledge people like them.

The churches of Asia greet you.
Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord,
with the Church that is in their house.
All the brethren greet you.
Greet one another with an holy kiss.
The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
 

Paul oft times writes this at the end of his letters. Perhaps it was rare for people to write letters back in those days, or maybe it was an assurance of authenticity to say that you wrote the letter yourself.

LOVING ADVICE WARNING ON LOVING ADVICE DANGERS AND LOVING ADVICE CONCERNS

If any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

TRULY ... LOVING ADVICE