WE come to 1 Corinthians for the last time. Paul has finished dealing with the various issues and problems in Corinth, and now closes his letter with requests to the church in Corinth.

VERSES 1-4

The first request is concerning support for the suffering church in Jerusalem. Paul seeks the charity of the Christians in Corinth for financial support for the church in Jerusalem. In asking this Paul sets out a way of planned giving which is timeless in its application. All believers should seek to support others in need and the work of God in his church. Paul advocates setting aside each week, before any money is used, and in proportion to the size of a persons income, a sum for the aid of others and for the work of the church. However Paul leaves no instructions as to the proportion of a person's income that should be set aside in this way as was the case in the Old Testament. He leaves it to each Christian to determine this prayerfully in the sight of God.

VERSES 5-9.

Paul indicates here that he planned to visit Corinth again, and he also indicates that he wants the visit to be for an extended period, and not just a passing visit. There seems to be an indication that Paul felt that he was not entirely welcome in the church at Corinth, but showed he still cared for their welfare, both spiritually and otherwise. Here is something all Christ's active servants find, that being faithful to Christ and his truth does not always receive a welcome, even amongst professing Christians. Whether this is so or not, Paul is determined to visit Corinth again in order to be a means of strengthening them in their faith. In the meantime he indicates that he is experiencing great blessing by the Holy Spirit to his ministry in Ephesus. If things are difficult for the believer in one direction, God more often than not, lightens the trial by acceptance and blessing in another place or direction.

VERSES 10-11.

The request Paul makes here is for the Church in Corinth to accept Timothy with love and kindness when he visits. Paul did not want Timothy to suffer the sort of rejection he had received at the hands of some of the Corinthians. Because of this Paul urges on the Church a good reception for Timothy. Often God's servants receive harsh treatment from those who would be expected to treat them well.

VERSE 12.

The next request from Paul is the same for Apollos as he had requested for Timothy. Apollus seemed to be fearing a hurtful reception in Corinth. It is sad when the church fails to show Christlike love to other Christians, and specially to those who minister to them.

VERSE 13.

Paul urges discipleship for Christ. He warns believers to be on their guard. Satan is always active to harm Christ's people, which he often does through other people. Christians need to be on their guard against all Satan's devices. Part of being on guard is to guard against error and falling away from the truth, so Paul urges believers to stand firm in their trust in Christ and be courageous. Finally he urges believers to do all things in love.

VERSES 15-18.

In these verses Paul commends Stephanas, and his household, to the Corinthians. He and his household had proved themselves by their devotion to the Lord and the saints (believers in Jesus). Paul urges the Church in Corinth to submit to people like Stephanas. By submission Paul would appear to mean that such Christians should be listened to and their teaching received seriously and humbly. This is because they had proved their faith by the way they lived.

Paul presses this home by saying that he has been much blessed by such submission himself (v.17-18).

VERSES 19-24.

Paul finishes his letter by sending a greeting from Aquila and Priscilla. They had been the family Paul had first stayed with in Corinth, and who had accompanied him to Ephesus and seemed to have settled down their. (Acts 18:1-4 & 18-19).

Together with this special greeting Paul sends a greeting from the whole church. This would appear to be the church in Ephesus where Paul seemed to be residing when he wrote this letter.