What is the Meaning of I Corinthians 16:1-2?
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 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” (I Corinthians 16:1-2, KJV).
Some have used these verses from Paul to say that he was moving the Sabbath to the first day of the week, which we call Sunday today.
First of all, notice that the verses never refer to rest or a gathering of people on the first day of the week for worship services. His instruction was simply for each individual to set aside an offering – “let every one of you…” It does not say that they should come together. Every individual person was supposed to collect an offering on his/her own time.
Secondly, Paul began this chapter by stating his instruction is an order (verse 1). In other words, it is a specific instruction for a specific situation. It is not a commandment from God or a statement of absolute application. An offering was necessary at the time he wrote the letter; he asked the church to participate.
Third, we need to break down some of the language used here and the ancient culture. The phrase “Lay by him” is the Greek word tithēmi. The words “in store” is thēsaurizō and it means 1) to gather and lay up, to heap up, store up 1a) to accumulate riches 1b) to keep in store, store up, reserve. It refers to accumulated goods in a storehouse. From this Greek word, we derive the English word Thesaurus.
We must understand that ancient peoples did not do everything solely by money. Some people grew crops and others raised animals. There were wood working trades, metallurgists, etc. Those that did have an income of money in silver or bronze did not carry large sums of money around with them (remember they didn’t have paper checks back then).
So why does Paul ask them to make this collection on the first day of the week?
He instructed each individual person to set aside something. Some people would have had crops, foodstuffs, and other items they had to gather up or sell before they could give an offering. This would have required work and significant common time, which would not be behavior he would promote on the Sabbath.
Paul told them to bring them on the first day of the week, which is the first common day after the Sabbath. He did not want this done when he comes because he wants to spend time with them. He will come to preach on the Sabbath – he doesn’t want them working on the Sabbath!
What did Paul really practice and teach when he was in Galatia and Corinth? As we reviewed in the last chapter, Paul observed the Sabbath in Galatia and Corinth, and taught others to do the same (see Acts chapters 13 and 18).
We can see by Paul’s example that he kept the Sabbath with Jews and non-Jews in both the city of Corinth and the region of Galatia. Paul’s directive in I Corinthians 16 was to take up a one-time offering for those in need. It required work, which is why he asked them to do it on the first day of the week.
This just shows us that context is key to understanding verses!