1 Corinthians 16
by Philip Layton
Paul makes some personal requests and final greetings
Click here to read 1 Corinthians 16
Discussion Questions
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The collections were to be made in keeping with personal income (v 2). Is your offering in keeping with your income? How do you know?
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What do you make of verse 22?
Share your thoughts below, or tweet about it with the #boundlessbible hashtag. Don't forget this week's Children's Challenge!
Going Deeper From 'Words of Life'
Priscilla and Aquila – Our Partnership Story
Aquila insisted that I write on behalf of us both – mainly because not too many women from the Early Church era were given the opportunity to write. Also because Paul – who, it was often said, did not give women their due credit – actually referred to me first, before Aquila my husband, in four out of the six mentions of us! Not that I’m a feminist; but it’s just interesting that he would give me, a woman, this kind of preferential treatment. He knew that women – whether single or married – are equally called by God.
Having been forced to leave Rome, we ended up in Corinth. Our Jewish parents made sure we both had learned a trade. You may have heard of the old Jewish proverb: ‘He that doesn’t see to it that his son learns a trade teaches him to be a thief.’ Well, my dad also believed this for his daughter!
We set up work as tent-makers and soon met Paul, also a tent-maker. Our Christian bond gave us much to talk about, and before long we invited him to live with us. By day we made tents – weaving goats’ hair. By night we gathered with others – singing hymns, praying, studying Scripture. On the Sabbath we intently listened to Paul’s preaching in the synagogue.
Eventually, the three of us left Corinth and moved on to Ephesus, where we assisted Paul in planting a church. We met people like Apollos. We met others who willingly wanted to give their lives to Christ. After three years there, the two of us moved back to Rome for about 10 years. Knowing of Nero’s persecutions, we travelled back to Ephesus. Paul sent a message to Timothy, making sure we were welcomed warmly: ‘Greet Priscilla and Aquila’ (2 Timothy 4:19).
It’s been quite a life! And it’s been wonderful to minister in a married partnership. God has blessed us – more than we could ever imagine!
Beverly Ivany
Tags: 1 Corinthians