1 Corinthians 16:1

KJV

¶ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} concerning {G4012} the collection {G3048} for {G1519} the saints {G40}, as {G5618} I have given order {G1299} to the churches {G1577} of Galatia {G1053}, even {G2532} so {G3779} do {G4160} ye {G5210}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now, in regard to the collection being made for God’s people: you are to do the same as I directed the congregations in Galatia to do.

Berean Standard Bible

Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:

American Standard Version

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Paul transitions from profound theological discourse on the resurrection to practical matters concerning financial support for fellow believers. This verse introduces the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, a significant organized effort to alleviate poverty among the Judean Christians. Paul instructs the Corinthian church to follow the same systematic approach to giving that he had already established in the churches of Galatia, emphasizing consistency and apostolic authority in matters of Christian generosity and mutual aid.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Corinthians 16:1 marks a distinct shift in Paul's letter. Chapters 1-15 have addressed a wide array of theological and ethical issues within the Corinthian church, including divisions ([1 Corinthians 1](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians 1 - Divisions in the Church")), immorality ([1 Corinthians 5](/1_corinthians/5 "1 Corinthians 5 - Sexual Immorality")), lawsuits ([1 Corinthians 6](/1_corinthians/6 "1 Corinthians 6 - Lawsuits Among Believers")), marriage ([1 Corinthians 7](/1_corinthians/7 "1 Corinthians 7 - Marriage and Singleness")), food sacrificed to idols ([1 Corinthians 8-10](/1_corinthians/8 "1 Corinthians 8-10 - Food Sacrificed to Idols")), spiritual gifts ([1 Corinthians 12-14](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12-14 - Spiritual Gifts")), and the foundational doctrine of the resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection of Christ")). Having laid a robust theological and ethical framework, Paul now moves to practical, administrative instructions regarding a specific financial collection, personal travel plans, and final greetings, signaling the conclusion of his epistle. This transition underscores that Christian faith is not merely intellectual assent but also involves tangible acts of love and support within the community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The collection mentioned here was a major undertaking initiated by Paul to gather financial aid from Gentile churches for the impoverished Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. This was not a unique or spontaneous offering but a well-organized, pan-church effort that Paul discusses in other epistles, notably [Romans 15:25-27](/romans/15-25-27 "Romans 15:25-27 - The Collection for Jerusalem") and [2 Corinthians 8-9](/2_corinthians/8 "2 Corinthians 8-9 - Principles of Giving"). Jerusalem had faced severe economic hardships, possibly due to famine ([Acts 11:27-30](/acts/11-27-30 "Acts 11:27-30 - Famine Relief")), persecution, or the communal living practices of the early church. This collection served a dual purpose: to provide material relief and to foster unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, demonstrating the practical outworking of their shared faith in Christ. The instruction to the churches of Galatia indicates that this was a standardized practice Paul was implementing across various regions, reflecting his apostolic authority and the emerging organizational structure of the early church.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces and contributes to several significant themes within 1 Corinthians and Paul's broader theology. Firstly, it highlights **Christian Generosity and Stewardship**, emphasizing that material resources are to be used for the good of the community, especially those in need. Secondly, it underscores **Unity and Mutual Support within the Body of Christ**, demonstrating a tangible expression of solidarity between geographically separated and culturally diverse congregations. The collection served as a powerful symbol of the unity of the church, bridging the divide between Jewish and Gentile believers. Thirdly, it reinforces **Apostolic Authority and Order**, as Paul's instruction ("as I have given order") indicates a clear, authoritative directive that should be followed consistently across different churches, establishing a pattern for practical Christian living and church administration. This echoes Paul's earlier calls for order and unity within the Corinthian church itself, now extended to inter-church relations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Collection (Greek, _logía'_):** This term refers to a "gathering" or "levy," specifically a "contribution." It implies a systematic, organized effort to collect funds rather than a spontaneous, one-time offering. The word suggests a pre-arranged, perhaps even regular, gathering of resources for a specific purpose, underscoring the planned nature of this charitable endeavor.
* **Saints (Greek, _hágios'_):** Derived from a root meaning "sacred" or "set apart," this term refers to those who are consecrated or dedicated to God. In Paul's usage, "saints" is a common designation for all believers in Christ, regardless of their moral perfection. It emphasizes their new status and identity as belonging to God, called out from the world for His purposes. Here, it specifically refers to the Christian community in Jerusalem who were in need.
* **Given order (Greek, _diatássō'_):** This verb means "to arrange thoroughly," "institute," or "prescribe." It conveys the idea of a formal, authoritative directive or command. Paul is not merely suggesting or requesting; he is issuing a clear, definite instruction, indicating that this collection is an established practice he has already put into effect in other churches, specifically those in Galatia. This highlights the apostolic authority behind the instruction and the desire for consistent practice across the early Christian communities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now concerning the collection for the saints,"**: Paul introduces the new topic with "Now concerning," a common Pauline transition phrase (cf. [1 Corinthians 7:1](/1_corinthians/7-1 "1 Corinthians 7:1 - Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me...")). The "collection" (logía) is not a random act but an organized gathering of resources. The recipients are "the saints," specifically the impoverished believers in Jerusalem, demonstrating the early church's commitment to mutual support within the wider body of Christ.
* **"as I have given order to the churches of Galatia,"**: This clause establishes a precedent and a standard. Paul is not asking the Corinthians to do something novel or unique; rather, he is instructing them to follow a pattern he has already implemented and commanded in other Gentile churches, specifically those in the Roman province of Galatia. This emphasizes the consistency of Paul's apostolic directives and the unity of practice across diverse regions.
* **"even so do ye."**: This is a direct command, urging the Corinthian believers to emulate the practice of the Galatian churches. The phrase "even so" (hoútō) means "in this way" or "thus," reinforcing that the Corinthians are to adopt the exact method and systematic approach that Paul prescribed elsewhere. It underscores the practical, obedient response expected from the Corinthian church to Paul's authoritative instruction.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in this verse is **Apostolic Instruction**, which is conveyed through Paul's direct and authoritative language. The phrase "as I have given order... even so do ye" functions as a **Command** or **Directive**, leaving no ambiguity about the expectation for the Corinthian church to follow established practices. There is also an element of **Parallelism** or **Analogy** in the comparison between the instructions given to Galatia and those now given to Corinth, which serves to legitimize and standardize the practice across different churches. This not only reinforces Paul's authority but also highlights the unity of the early Christian movement in its practical expressions of faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse underscores the profound theological truth that Christian faith is not merely individualistic but inherently communal, calling believers to tangible expressions of love and solidarity. The collection for the saints in Jerusalem exemplifies the early church's commitment to practical mutual aid, demonstrating that the spiritual unity forged by Christ transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. It reveals a robust theology of stewardship, where material blessings are to be shared for the common good, particularly to alleviate suffering among fellow believers. This act of giving also served as a powerful symbol of Gentile believers' gratitude to Jewish Christians, from whom they had received the spiritual blessings of the gospel, echoing the principle of reciprocal giving.

* [Romans 15:25-27](/romans/15-25-27 "Romans 15:25-27 - The Gentile Churches' Obligation to Jerusalem")
* [2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15](/2_corinthians/8 "2 Corinthians 8-9 - The Collection for the Saints")
* [Galatians 6:10](/galatians/6-10 "Galatians 6:10 - Doing Good to All, Especially Believers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 16:1 serves as a timeless reminder that genuine faith is expressed through concrete acts of generosity and care for others, especially those within the family of God. Paul's instruction for an organized collection highlights that Christian giving is not merely an impulsive act but can be a thoughtful, systematic, and disciplined practice. It challenges us to consider how we, individually and corporately, are participating in the support of God's people and His work globally. The unity demonstrated by distant churches supporting one another should inspire us to look beyond our immediate communities and embrace a broader vision of the Body of Christ, recognizing our shared responsibility to alleviate suffering and advance the gospel. This verse encourages us to be proactive and intentional in our stewardship, reflecting the character of a God who generously provides for all His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's emphasis on an "ordered" collection challenge my own approach to giving, whether it's spontaneous or systematic?**
* **In what ways can my local church practically demonstrate solidarity and support for believers in other regions or nations, mirroring the early church's collection for the saints in Jerusalem?**
* **What does the concept of "saints" as all believers, including the needy, teach me about the inherent dignity and value of every member of Christ's body, regardless of their material circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Why was this collection for the "saints" so important, and who were these "saints"?**

Answer: The "saints" in this context primarily refer to the impoverished Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. This collection was profoundly important for several reasons. Materially, it provided much-needed financial relief to a community facing significant hardship, possibly due to famine, persecution, or the economic strain of early communal living. Theologically, it was a tangible expression of unity between Gentile and Jewish believers, demonstrating that the gospel had broken down the dividing wall ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). Paul saw it as a spiritual obligation for the Gentile churches to share their material blessings with those from whom they had received the spiritual blessings of the gospel ([Romans 15:27](/romans/15-27 "Romans 15:27 - Gentiles' Debt to Jewish Believers")). It was a practical outworking of Christian love and a powerful witness to the world of the church's unique fellowship.

**Did Paul give specific instructions on *how* to collect the money?**

Answer: While 1 Corinthians 16:1 states that Paul "given order" to the churches of Galatia and expects the Corinthians to follow suit, the specific details of *how* to collect are elaborated further in [1 Corinthians 16:2](/1_corinthians/16-2 "1 Corinthians 16:2 - The Weekly Collection") and more extensively in [2 Corinthians 8-9](/2_corinthians/8 "2 Corinthians 8-9 - Principles of Joyful Giving"). In [1 Corinthians 16:2](/1_corinthians/16-2 "1 Corinthians 16:2 - Storing Up on the First Day of the Week"), he instructs them to set aside money "upon the first day of the week," suggesting a regular, systematic saving. In 2 Corinthians, he emphasizes principles like cheerful giving ([2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - God Loves a Cheerful Giver")), proportionate giving, and the spiritual blessings that flow from generosity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Corinthians 16:1 deals with practical matters of church administration and financial generosity, it finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Christ. The very concept of a "collection for the saints" embodies the self-sacrificial love and radical generosity that Christ exemplified. Jesus, "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). His entire life was a collection for the "saints"—those set apart by God—culminating in His ultimate offering on the cross, where He gave Himself entirely for the spiritual and eternal well-being of humanity. The unity fostered by this collection, bridging the divide between Jewish and Gentile believers, foreshadows the new humanity created in Christ, where "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")). Thus, Christian giving, as commanded by Paul, is not merely philanthropy but an act of worship that mirrors the divine generosity of our Savior, who came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Our acts of compassion and material support for one another are a direct reflection of the love of Christ poured out for us, demonstrating that "by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" ([John 13:35](/john/13-35 "John 13:35 - Love One Another")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 9:12

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.

1 John 3:17

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

2 Corinthians 8:1

¶ Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 Corinthians 8:9

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Romans 12:13

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Romans 15:25

But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.