1 Corinthians 16:4
And if it is advisable for me to go also, they can travel with me.
And if it is advisable
The phrase "And if it is advisable" suggests a conditional decision-making process. The Greek word used here is "ἄξιον" (axion), which implies something that is fitting or worthy. In the context of Paul's ministry, this reflects a careful consideration of what is beneficial for the church and the mission. Paul is not acting on impulse but is seeking wisdom and discernment, which is a model for Christian decision-making. This highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance and the counsel of others in making decisions that align with His will.

for me to go also
Here, Paul is contemplating his own involvement in the journey. The Greek word "πορεύομαι" (poreuomai) means to go or to travel. This reflects Paul's willingness to be personally involved in the matters of the church, demonstrating servant leadership. His readiness to accompany others shows his commitment to the unity and well-being of the church. It serves as an example of how leaders should be willing to step into roles that support and uplift the community, even if it requires personal sacrifice.

they can travel with me
The phrase "they can travel with me" indicates a sense of partnership and collaboration. The Greek word "συμπαραγίνομαι" (symparaginomai) means to come together or to accompany. This reflects the early Christian practice of communal support and shared mission. Paul is not acting in isolation but is inviting others to join him, emphasizing the importance of fellowship and collective effort in the work of the Gospel. It underscores the biblical principle that the Christian journey is not meant to be solitary but is enriched by the presence and support of fellow believers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth regarding the collection for the saints in Jerusalem.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and diversity, and the location of the church to which Paul is writing.

3. Jerusalem
The destination for the collection, where the saints (believers) are in need of financial support.

4. The Collection
A financial offering being gathered by the churches to support the impoverished believers in Jerusalem.

5. Travel Companions
Individuals who may accompany Paul to ensure the safe and accountable delivery of the collection.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Accountability in Ministry
Paul’s willingness to travel with others for the delivery of the collection underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in handling church finances.

The Role of Community in Supporting Believers
The collection for the saints in Jerusalem illustrates the early church's commitment to supporting one another, a principle that remains vital for the church today.

Discernment in Decision-Making
Paul’s phrase "if it is advisable" indicates the need for discernment and seeking God’s guidance in making decisions, especially those involving ministry and resources.

Partnership in Ministry
The potential for others to travel with Paul highlights the value of partnership and collaboration in ministry efforts.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does Paul’s approach to the collection teach us about the importance of financial accountability in the church today?

2. How can we apply the principle of supporting fellow believers in need within our own church community?

3. In what ways can we seek God’s guidance and discernment when making decisions that affect our ministry or church?

4. How does the concept of partnership in ministry, as seen in Paul’s willingness to travel with others, apply to our current church or ministry context?

5. Reflect on a time when you were part of a collective effort to support someone in need. How did that experience align with the principles seen in 1 Corinthians 16:4?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 11:29-30
This passage describes the early church's practice of sending relief to the brothers living in Judea, showing the precedent for the collection.

2 Corinthians 8-9
Paul further elaborates on the collection for the saints, emphasizing generosity and the principles of giving.

Romans 15:25-27
Paul mentions his intention to go to Jerusalem to serve the saints, highlighting the importance of the collection.
Charity: its Principles and MethodsF. W. Robertson, M.A.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Christian GivingJ. T. C. Gullan.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Christian PhilanthropyD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Church GiftsJ.R. Thomson 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Collection in ChurchU. R. Thomas.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Collections1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Concerning the CollectionE. Hundall 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
On Living by RuleDean Goulburn.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The Cooperation of Church and MinisterJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The Gladness of Giving1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The PoorM. Dods, D. D.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The Theology of MoneyJ.Parker, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The Weekly OfferingW. G. Lewis.1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Charity; its Systematic Mode of ExerciseC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 16:1-5
People
Achaicus, Apollos, Aquila, Corinthians, Fortunatus, Paul, Prisca, Priscilla, Stephanas, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Achaia, Asia, Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Jerusalem, Macedonia
Topics
Accompany, Advisable, Appropriate, Companions, Fitting, Journey, Meet, Possible, Proper, Seems, Suitable, Worth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 16:1-4

     7402   offerings

Library
Strong and Loving
'Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14. Let all your things be done with charity.'--1 COR. xvi. 13, 14. There is a singular contrast between the first four of these exhortations and the last. The former ring sharp and short like pistol-shots; the last is of gentler mould. The former sound like the word of command shouted from an officer along the ranks; and there is a military metaphor running all through them. The foe threatens to advance; let the guards keep their
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Anathema and Grace
'The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. 22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha. 23. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.'--1 COR. xvi. 21-24. Terror and tenderness are strangely mingled in this parting salutation, which was added in the great characters shaped by Paul's own hand, to the letter written by an amanuensis. He has been obliged, throughout the whole epistle, to assume a tone of remonstrance
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Faithful Steward
"GOD IS LOVE." Perfectly blessed in Himself, he desired that other intelligences should participate in his own holy felicity. This was his primary motive in creating moral beings. They were made in his own image--framed to resemble him in their intellectual and moral capacities, and to imitate him in the spirit of their deportment. Whatever good they enjoyed, like him, they were to desire that others might enjoy it with them; and thus all were to be bound together by mutual sympathy,--linked
Sereno D. Clark—The Faithful Steward

The Twenty-Second Psalm.
The Cross of Christ. THE Twenty-second Psalm contains a most remarkable prophecy. The human instrument through whom this prophecy was given is King David. The Psalm does not contain the experience of the King, though he passed through great sufferings, yet the sufferings he speaks of in this Psalm are not his own. They are the sufferings of Christ. It is written in the New Testament that the prophets searched and enquired diligently about the coming salvation. The Spirit of Christ, which was in
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Of the Duties which we are to Perform after Receiving the Holy Communion, Called Action or Practice.
The duty which we are to perform after the receiving of the Lord's Supper is called action or practice, without which all the rest will minister to us no comfort. The action consists of two sorts of duties:---First, Such as we are to perform in the church, or else after we are gone home. Those that we are to perform in the church are either several from our own souls, or else jointly with the congregation. The several duties which thou must perform from thine own soul are three:--First, Thou must
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Apostolic Scriptures.
"And I think that I also have the Spirit of God."--1 Cor. vii. 40. We have seen that the apostolate has an extraordinary significance and occupies a unique position. This position is twofold, viz., temporary, with reference to the founding of the first churches, and permanent, with regard to the churches of all ages. The first must necessarily be temporary, for what was then accomplished can not be repeated. A tree can be planted only once; an organism can be born only once; the planting or founding
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Clergyman and the Prayer Book.
Dear pages of ancestral prayer, Illumined all with Scripture gold, In you we seem the faith to share Of saints and seers of old. Whene'er in worship's blissful hour The Pastor lends your heart a voice, Let his own spirit feel your power, And answer, and rejoice. In the present chapter I deal a little with the spirit and work of the Clergyman in his ministration of the ordered Services of the Church, reserving the work of the Pulpit for later treatment. THE PRAYER BOOK NOT PERFECT BUT INESTIMABLE.
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

"And Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"And watch unto prayer." "Watch." A Christian should watch. A Christian is a watchman by office. This duty of watchfulness is frequently commanded and commended in scripture, Matt. xxiv. 42, Mark xiii. 33, 1 Cor. xvi. 13, Eph. vi. 18, 1 Pet. v. 8, Col. iv. 2; Luke xii. 37. David did wait as they that did watch for the morning light. The ministers of the gospel are styled watchmen in scripture and every Christian should be to himself as a minister is to his flock, he should watch over
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

For if they be Urged from the Gospel that they Should Put Nothing By...
31. For if they be urged from the Gospel that they should put nothing by for the morrow, they most rightly answer, "Why then had the Lord Himself a bag in which to put by the money which was collected? [2572] Why so long time beforehand, on occasion of impending famine, were supplies of corn sent to the holy fathers? [2573] Why did Apostles in such wise provide things necessary for the indigence of saints lest there should be lack thereafter, that most blessed Paul should thus write to the Corinthians
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Tithing
"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" (Mal. 3:10). Down deep in the heart of every Christian there is undoubtedly the conviction that he ought to tithe. There is an uneasy feeling that this is a duty which has been neglected, or, if you prefer it, a privilege that has not been
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

The Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it. Exod 20: 8-11. This
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered?
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

Concerning Worship.
Concerning Worship. [780] All true and acceptable worship to God is offered in the inward and immediate moving and drawing of his own Spirit which is neither limited to places times, nor persons. For though we are to worship him always, and continually to fear before him; [781] yet as to the outward signification thereof, in prayers, praises, or preachings, we ought not to do it in our own will, where and when we will; but where and when we are moved thereunto by the stirring and secret inspiration
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation.
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Things Pertaining to the Kingdom.
"Now is there solemn pause in earth and heaven; The Conqueror now His bonds hath riven, And Angels wonder why He stays below; Yet hath not man his lesson learned, How endless love should be returned." Hitherto our thoughts about "The Kingdom of Heaven" have been founded on the teaching of the King respecting His Kingdom recorded in the Gospels. But we must not forget to give attention to the very important time in the life of our Lord extending between His Resurrection and Ascension, during which
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

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