1 Corinthians 16:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Upon {G2596} the first {G3391} day of the week {G4521} let {G5087} every one {G1538} of you {G5216} lay {G5087} by {G3844} him {G1438} in store {G2343}, as {G3748}{G302} God hath prospered him {G2137}, that {G3363} there be {G1096} no {G3363} gatherings {G3048}{G5119} when {G3752} I come {G2064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Every week, on Motza’ei-Shabbat, each of you should set some money aside, according to his resources, and save it up; so that when I come I won’t have to do fundraising.

Berean Standard Bible

On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed.

American Standard Version

Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 16:2, the Apostle Paul issues a practical directive to the Corinthian church concerning a collection for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem. He instructs each individual to set aside a portion of their income on the first day of the week, in proportion to their prosperity, so that the funds are ready upon his arrival, avoiding any last-minute collections. This verse serves as a foundational text for understanding early Christian principles of systematic, proportionate, and orderly financial stewardship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a distinct transition in Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. Having addressed profound theological disputes, ethical issues, and matters of church order (such as spiritual gifts, resurrection, and proper conduct in worship), Paul now shifts to practical administrative concerns. Chapter 16 begins with instructions regarding the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, a topic introduced in [1 Corinthians 16:1](/1_corinthians/16-1 "1 Corinthians 16:1 - Collection for the Saints"). This immediately precedes his travel plans and greetings, indicating its importance as a concluding practical matter before his personal remarks. The systematic nature of the instruction in [1 Corinthians 16:2](/1_corinthians/16-2 "1 Corinthians 16:2 - Instructions for Giving") underscores Paul's desire for order and efficiency within the church, a theme consistent with his earlier teachings on church conduct and spiritual gifts in [1 Corinthians 14](/1_corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The collection mentioned in this verse was part of a larger, coordinated effort by Paul to gather financial aid from Gentile churches for the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, who were suffering from poverty and famine (cf. [Romans 15:25-27](/romans/15-25-27 "Romans 15:25-27 - Paul's Ministry to Jerusalem")). This "Jerusalem Collection" held profound theological and symbolic significance. It was not merely an act of charity but a tangible expression of unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians, demonstrating that the Gentiles, having received spiritual blessings from Jerusalem, were now sharing their material blessings in return. The practice of meeting on "the first day of the week" strongly indicates the early Christian shift from the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) to Sunday as their primary day of worship, commemorating Christ's resurrection. This was a distinct cultural marker of the nascent Christian community.
* **Key Themes:** The instructions in [1 Corinthians 16:2](/1_corinthians/16-2 "1 Corinthians 16:2 - Principles of Giving") contribute to several major theological and narrative themes within the broader book and Pauline theology. Firstly, it highlights **Christian Generosity and Stewardship**, emphasizing that believers are entrusted with resources by God and are called to use them for His purposes, especially for the care of fellow believers. Secondly, it establishes the principle of **Systematic and Proportionate Giving**, encouraging regular, planned contributions rather than spontaneous, reactive ones, and linking the amount given to God's blessing in one's life. This principle resonates with Paul's later, more extensive teaching on giving in [2 Corinthians 8-9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8-9 - The Collection for the Saints"). Thirdly, the mention of "the first day of the week" reinforces the theme of **Corporate Worship and Community Life** in the early church, suggesting that giving was an integral part of their regular communal gatherings, as also seen in [Acts 20:7](/acts/20-7 "Acts 20:7 - Breaking Bread on the First Day of the Week"). Finally, Paul's desire for "no gatherings when I come" speaks to the theme of **Order and Efficiency in Ministry**, underscoring the importance of preparation and organization in the practical outworking of Christian service.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lay by him in store (Greek, _thēsaurízō'_):** From G2343, meaning "to amass or reserve (literally or figuratively)." This word implies a continuous, personal act of setting aside funds, much like saving or accumulating. It suggests a deliberate, individual act of putting money aside, rather than waiting for a communal collection plate to be passed around. The instruction is not to bring it to a central location yet, but for each individual to keep it "by him" (G3844, _pará_) or "with himself" (G1438, _heautoû_).
* **hath prospered him (Greek, _euodóō'_):** From G2137, meaning "to help on the road, i.e. (passively) succeed in reaching; figuratively, to succeed in business affairs." This term emphasizes that giving should be a reflection of God's blessing in one's life. It implies a flexible and grateful response to divine provision, linking the act of giving directly to the individual's experience of God's favor and success in their endeavors.
* **gatherings (Greek, _logía'_):** From G3048, meaning "a contribution." This refers to the act of collecting or gathering the contributions. Paul's desire that "there be no gatherings" (G3363, _hína mḗ_ and G1096, _gínomai_) when he arrives indicates his preference for an organized, pre-arranged collection process, avoiding last-minute efforts or disruptions upon his presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Upon the first [day] of the week":** This specifies the timing for the act of setting aside funds. "First day of the week" (G3391, _mía_ and G4521, _sábbaton_) refers to Sunday, signifying the early Christian practice of gathering on the day of Christ's resurrection. This indicates that the act of giving was to be a regular, perhaps weekly, discipline, likely coinciding with their corporate worship gatherings.
* **"let every one of you lay by him in store":** This is a direct imperative (G5087, _títhēmi_) to each individual (G1538, _hékastos_). It instructs them to personally set aside (G2343, _thēsaurízō_) their contribution at home, rather than waiting for a public collection. This emphasizes personal responsibility and preparation in giving.
* **"as [God] hath prospered him":** This clause provides the principle for the amount to be set aside. The phrase "as God hath prospered him" (G3748, _hóstis_ and G2137, _euodóō_) introduces the concept of proportionate giving, meaning that the amount should reflect the blessings and financial success God has granted to the individual. It's not a fixed amount, but a flexible response to divine provision.
* **"that there be no gatherings when I come":** This states the practical purpose behind the instruction. Paul's goal (G3363, _hína mḗ_ and G1096, _gínomai_) is to ensure that the collection is complete and ready (G3048, _logía_) before his arrival (G2064, _érchomai_), thereby avoiding any last-minute organizational efforts or delays during his visit. This highlights the importance of order, efficiency, and preparedness in the administration of church affairs.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey Paul's instruction effectively. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood** ("let every one of you lay"), which conveys a direct command and underscores the authoritative nature of Paul's apostolic instruction. There is also an implicit **Parallelism** in the expectation that each individual will perform this act weekly, creating a consistent and systematic approach to giving. The phrase "as God hath prospered him" functions as a **Conditional Clause**, setting the criterion for the amount of giving and linking human action directly to divine provision. Furthermore, the final clause, "that there be no gatherings when I come," serves as a **Purpose Clause**, clearly stating the practical and logistical aim of the instruction, which is to ensure order and efficiency, avoiding any last-minute **Haste** or disruption upon Paul's arrival.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse lays crucial groundwork for a robust theology of Christian stewardship and generosity. It teaches that giving is not an afterthought or a spontaneous reaction, but a deliberate, systematic, and proportionate act of worship. It roots generosity in a grateful response to God's prior blessing, acknowledging that all prosperity comes from Him. Furthermore, the instruction for a weekly collection on the "first day of the week" subtly reinforces the significance of the resurrection day for early Christian worship and community life, implying that financial giving is an integral part of communal devotion. This collection, specifically for the saints in Jerusalem, also powerfully demonstrates the interconnectedness and unity of the global church, where those who have received spiritual blessings share their material resources with those in need, embodying the principle of mutual support and love within the body of Christ.

* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - Cheerful Giving")
* [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9-10 "Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor God with Your Wealth")
* [Acts 20:7](/acts/20-7 "Acts 20:7 - Breaking Bread on the First Day")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 16:2 offers enduring principles for believers today regarding financial stewardship. It challenges us to move beyond sporadic or emotional giving towards a disciplined, intentional practice. Reflecting on "the first day of the week" prompts us to consider giving as an act of worship, integrated into our regular spiritual rhythm, perhaps even before other expenses are considered. The principle "as God hath prospered him" calls for honest self-assessment of our financial blessings and a generous, proportionate response, recognizing that our resources are ultimately gifts from God. This verse encourages us to be proactive in our generosity, preparing our offerings with forethought and purpose, thereby contributing to the smooth and effective operation of ministry and the support of those in need, both locally and globally. Our giving, therefore, becomes a tangible expression of our faith, gratitude, and commitment to the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of "laying by him in store" challenge my current approach to financial giving?**
* **In what ways can I more intentionally align my giving with "as God hath prospered him," ensuring it reflects my gratitude for His blessings?**
* **How does the instruction to avoid "gatherings when I come" encourage order and preparedness in my personal giving and the church's financial practices?**

### FAQ

**Why did Paul specify "the first day of the week" for the collection?**

Answer: Paul's instruction to collect on "the first day of the week" (Sunday) is highly significant. It indicates that early Christians had already established Sunday as their regular day for corporate worship and gathering, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. By specifying this day, Paul ensured that the collection would be systematic, regular, and integrated into their communal life, rather than being an ad-hoc event. This timing also allowed individuals to prepare their contributions privately at home before coming together, fostering an orderly process that would avoid last-minute disruptions or the need for a large, spontaneous collection when Paul arrived (cf. [Acts 20:7](/acts/20-7 "Acts 20:7 - Early Christian Gathering on Sunday")).

**What does "as God hath prospered him" mean for Christian giving?**

Answer: The phrase "as God hath prospered him" introduces the principle of proportionate giving. It means that the amount an individual sets aside should be relative to the financial blessings or income they have received from God. This is not a fixed percentage (like a tithe, though tithing is a related concept of giving a tenth, as seen in [Malachi 3:10](/malachi/3-10 "Malachi 3:10 - Bring the Whole Tithe")), but rather a flexible and grateful response to God's provision. It emphasizes that giving is an act of worship and thanksgiving, where generosity is a reflection of God's generosity towards the giver. This principle encourages both the wealthy and those with modest means to give meaningfully, according to their capacity and God's blessing in their lives (cf. [2 Corinthians 8:12](/2_corinthians/8-12 "2 Corinthians 8:12 - Giving According to What You Have")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Corinthians 16:2 provides practical instructions for Christian giving, its deeper fulfillment is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The systematic and proportionate giving Paul advocates is a reflection of the ultimate, self-giving love demonstrated by Christ. Just as believers are called to give "as God hath prospered him," so Christ, "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Self-Impoverishment")). His life, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, is the supreme example of laying aside everything for the benefit of others, specifically for the redemption of humanity. The "first day of the week" on which these collections were to be made is the very day Christ rose from the dead, signifying the new creation and the new covenant in which believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of generosity, mirroring the boundless generosity of God in giving His only Son ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Thus, Christian giving, as outlined in this verse, is not merely a duty but a Spirit-empowered response to the Gospel, flowing from a heart transformed by Christ's own radical self-giving, anticipating the day when all things will be gathered in Him ([Ephesians 1:10](/ephesians/1-10 "Ephesians 1:10 - Summing Up All Things in Christ")).

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

Malachi 3:9

Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.

Malachi 3:10

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

Acts 20:7

¶ And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

2 Corinthians 9:3

Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

2 Corinthians 9:5

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty, and not as [of] covetousness.

Luke 16:10

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Deuteronomy 15:11

For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.