1 Corinthians 16 2

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.

1 Corinthians 16:2 nkjv

On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

1 Corinthians 16:2 niv

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

1 Corinthians 16:2 esv

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

1 Corinthians 16:2 nlt

On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don't wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

1 Corinthians 16 verses

1 Corinthians 16 2 meaning

This verse instructs each individual in the Corinthian church to systematically set aside a portion of their income or blessings on the first day of every week. This giving is to be proportionate to their prosperity, saved up over time, with the specific purpose of facilitating a collection for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem without creating a hasty and unorganized event upon the Apostle Paul's arrival. It emphasizes individual responsibility, regularity, proportionality, and organized charitable giving within the Christian community.

1 Corinthians 16 2 Context

Chapter 16 concludes Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church, moving from profound theological teachings and moral admonitions to practical matters of Christian life and ministry. The immediate context of verse 2 is the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, which Paul introduces in verse 1. This initiative was a significant effort to aid the impoverished Jewish believers there (Rom 15:26-27, 2 Cor 8-9, Gal 2:10). The Corinthian church, though generally affluent, suffered from various internal disorders and spiritual immaturity. Paul's instructions here not only provide a practical method for accumulating the funds but also instills principles of regular, intentional, and proportional giving, moving them away from spontaneous, chaotic, or compulsory offerings. The specification of "the first day of every week" implicitly highlights the early church's practice of gathering for worship on Sunday, commemorating Christ's resurrection.

1 Corinthians 16 2 Word analysis

• On the first day of every week (κατὰ μίαν σαββάτου - kata mian sabbatou):
  • κατὰ (kata): A preposition meaning "according to," "on," or "by." Here, it signifies regularity, "on each."
  • μίαν (mian): Feminine accusative of `heis`, meaning "one" or "first."
  • σαββάτου (sabbatou): Genitive singular of `sabbaton`, meaning "Sabbath" or "week." While it can mean Sabbath day, in phrases like this, it generally refers to the full week, so `mia sabbatou` refers to the first day of that week (i.e., Sunday). This instruction affirms the early Christian practice of meeting and worshiping on the Lord's Day (Sunday), shifting from the Jewish Sabbath, due to Christ's resurrection. This also established a consistent timing for their giving.
• each one of you (ἕκαστος ὑμῶν - hekastos hymōn):
  • ἕκαστος (hekastos): "Each one," emphasizing individual responsibility. This is not a collective group donation but a personal discipline. Giving is a private matter before God, yet contributed to the public good.
  • ὑμῶν (hymōn): "Of you," reinforcing the individual focus for every member of the congregation, rich or poor.
• is to put aside and save (τιθέτω θησαυρίζων - tithetō thesauzōn):
  • τιθέτω (tithetō): Imperative, "let him put" or "let him lay." Implies an active, deliberate action of setting something apart from general funds. This suggests a dedicated portion.
  • θησαυρίζων (thesauzōn): Present active participle, "storing up" or "treasuring." It signifies a continuous action of accumulating and safeguarding the designated amount. This proactive approach avoids last-minute pressures and promotes planned giving. It's a "store" or "treasury" kept at home for regular collection.
• whatever he can afford / as he may prosper (ὅ τι ἂν εὐοδῶται - ho ti an euodōtai):
  • ὅ τι (ho ti): "Whatever."
  • ἂν (an): Marks a condition of contingency, "as," "if."
  • εὐοδῶται (euodōtai): Present middle indicative/subjunctive of `euodoō`, meaning "to have a good journey," "to succeed," "to prosper," or "to be blessed." It literally implies "as God has prospered him" or "as he has received a good journey/success." This sets the principle of proportional giving. The amount is not a fixed percentage (like a tithe) but an assessment of one's weekly blessing, allowing flexibility and generosity based on divine provision. It ensures both the wealthy and the poor can participate meaningfully.
• so that collections need not be made when I come (ἵνα μὴ ὅταν ἔλθω τότες λογίαι γίνωνται - hina mē hotan elthō totes logiai ginōntai):
  • ἵνα μή (hina mē): "So that not," indicating the purpose for the instruction.
  • ὅταν ἔλθω (hotan elthō): "When I come."
  • τότες (totes): "Then."
  • λογίαι (logiai): "Collections" or "gatherings." This refers specifically to financial contributions for a stated purpose.
  • γίνωνται (ginōntai): "May come into being," "may be made." Paul desires orderly, prepared giving, avoiding a sudden scramble or pressure tactics. This demonstrates Paul's wisdom in administration and pastoral care.

• "On the first day of every week, each one of you": This phrase establishes the parameters for when and who should give. The regularity of "the first day of every week" links this practical command to Christian assembly and worship (Acts 20:7). It moves the giving from spontaneous acts to disciplined, weekly observance by "each one" – underscoring individual accountability and participation in the church's shared responsibilities.
• "put aside and save whatever he can afford": This instruction specifies the action and amount. "Put aside and save" (or "store up") implies deliberate budgeting and a system of personal stewardship, a forward-looking practice to avoid impulse or guilt-driven giving. "Whatever he can afford" or "as he may prosper" is crucial; it introduces proportionality and challenges believers to assess their financial blessings each week and give accordingly (2 Cor 8:12, Deut 16:17). This principle encourages generous giving from abundance, but also faithful giving from lesser means.
• "so that collections need not be made when I come": This final clause states the reason for the organized approach. Paul's intent is to promote order and efficiency within the church (1 Cor 14:40), prevent last-minute burdens, and ensure a smooth collection process for the vital cause of aiding the Jerusalem saints. It eliminates potential delays or a perceived demand for money upon his arrival, maintaining focus on his ministry and the sincere generosity of the givers.

1 Corinthians 16 2 Bonus section

The concept of mia sabbatou being the "first day of the week" instead of "one Sabbath" is universally accepted in biblical scholarship for early church contexts, solidifying the importance of Sunday gatherings for early Christians in the wake of Christ's resurrection. This verse provides one of the earliest explicit references for a weekly Christian observance that combines worship and systematic stewardship. The euodōtai (as he may prosper) not only pertains to monetary success but can also imply "as God has put him on a good way" in a broader sense of overall well-being and blessing, prompting a holistic consideration of what one has received from the Lord. Practically, this command can be seen as an early model for practices like setting up a regular spiritual savings account or budgeting for giving as a primary financial commitment, demonstrating proactive faith and love for fellow believers.

1 Corinthians 16 2 Commentary

First Corinthians 16:2 lays down foundational principles for Christian giving, transitioning the Corinthian church from internal strife to external ministry through generosity. Paul instructs individuals to observe weekly, personal, and proportional giving, setting aside funds on the first day of the week, thereby linking financial stewardship with corporate worship and the Lord's Day. The collection's purpose, aiding the Jerusalem saints, underscores the unity of the body of Christ and the responsibility of members to care for one another, especially those in need (Gal 2:10). The practical command to "put aside and save" avoids impromptu and potentially pressured offerings, ensuring that giving is deliberate, joyful (2 Cor 9:7), and a reflection of true prosperity, both spiritual and material, from God's hand. This disciplined approach ensured readiness and facilitated a smooth transfer of resources for a critical ministry need, echoing Paul's broader concern for order and efficacy in the church (1 Cor 14:40).