1Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise. 2On the first day of every week, let each one of you save as he may prosper, that no collections are made when I come. 3When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem. 4If it is appropriate for me to go also, they will go with me.
5I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia, for I am passing through Macedonia. 6But with you it may be that I will stay with you, or even winter with you, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go. 7For I do not wish to see you now in passing, but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 8But I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
10Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.
12Now concerning Apollos the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
13Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong! 14Let all that you do be done in love.
15Now I beg you, brothers—you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints— 16that you also be in subjection to such, and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. 17I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied. 18For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that.
19The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house. 20All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand. 22If any man doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be cursed. Come, Lord! 23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
In 1 Cor 16:1 Paul uses the Greek word λογείας for “collection.” An ostracon (inscription on a broken piece of pottery) was discovered at Thebes in Egypt and dated August 4th, A.D. 64, on which a certain Psenamunis acknowledges receiving a λογείας for the worship of Isis from a “contract laborer” named Pateesis. Interestingly, this Pateesis gave the same sum to several other temples, and gave on the same day several different years.[1]Thus, the practice of voluntary giving seems to have been widespread.[2]
[1] Adolph Deissmann and Lionel R. M. Strachman, Light from the Ancient East, Or, The New Testament Illustrated by Recently Discovered Texts of the Graeco Roman World, (New York: Hodder and Stoughton, 1909) 104-105.
[2]Gaalyah Cornfield, Archaeology of the Bible: Book by Book, David Noel Freedman, ed., (New York: Harper and Row, 1976). 316.