What does 1 Corinthians 16:1 mean?

Prior chapters wrapped up the main points of Paul's long letter to the Corinthians. Now he turns to some important business matters before closing. He once again uses the phrase "now concerning," probably to indicate a response to something in the Corinthians' letter to him (1 Corinthians 7:1).

Scripture does not explain all the circumstances here. That suggests Paul had already told the Corinthians about the money he was raising for the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Perhaps they had written to ask him how to go about collecting and delivering the money. In 2 Corinthians 8–9, Paul will go into much greater detail about the campaign.

Paul's effort to deliver financial aid from the Gentile churches to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem served several purposes. For one, the need was great. The Jerusalem Christians were suffering terrible persecution for their faith in Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:14), which must have contributed to their devastating poverty (2 Corinthians 9:12). For another, Paul hoped to help heal the rift that had developed between the Jewish and non-Jewish believers. Third, Paul believed Gentile Christians owed a spiritual debt to their Jewish siblings in Christ, who came as Savior first to the Jews and then to all people (Romans 15:27).

Paul will give to the Corinthian church the same instructions about the collection for the "saints." In the Bible, this is always a broad term applied to all Christians. This follows Paul's previous instruction the churches in Galatia. These churches, established on his first missionary journey, included Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13—14).