Daily Devotions
1 Corinthians
"If the Lord permits."
Text: 1 Corinthians 16:7
TRAVEL PLANS SHARED
Paul shared with the Corinthian Church his travel plans. He had a vast ministry, spanning many countries. He hoped to visit Corinth as well.
“Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia
(for I am passing through Macedonia).
And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you,
that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go.
For I do not wish to see you now on the way;
but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.”
1 Corinthians 16:5-7
1. Paul’s location at the point of his writing
a) He was at Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8).
b) He had a significant ministry in Ephesus.
2. Macedonia
a) Paul received a vision to minister in Macedonia.
b) His second missionary journey began with answering the Macedonian Call (Acts 16).
c) It was Paul’s custom to visit the churches he founded in his journeys.
3. Winter in Corinth
a) Traveling during winter was always hazardous.
b) Thus, Paul hoped to spend winter with the Corinthian Church.
4. Ministry in Corinth
a) To personally attend to the problems that were there.
b) The Epistle Paul wrote was a good attempt to resolve problems.
c) But there was nothing like being there personally.
d) He also hoped that the Corinthians would also assist him in his missionary endeavours.
e) “That you may send me on my journey, wherever I go”
i) It was customary for churches to support the Lord’s work.
ii) Paul had not received much support from the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9).
5. “If the Lord permits”
a) This was an established principle in Paul’s life and ministry.
b) He may plan but all things were subject to God’s Will.
c) Paul would like to spend time with the Corinthians, but only if the Lord would permit that.