I Corinthians 16:1-3
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“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever you shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.”
This passage is the generally recognized authority for passing the “collection plate” every Sunday as the central means of funding for the “church.” Does it represent a general command to all Christians, for all time, to give freewill offerings at “Sunday services”? If not, what is the account describing?
The offering described is unique in five separate ways, and it will be clear that it has nothing to do with “passing the plate” at weekly local services:
(1) It is a specific offering (Romans 15:25-28 references the same offering).
(2) It was to be given to a specific people (see Romans 15:26; I Corinthians 16:3).
(3) It was done at a specific time (when Paul passed through).
(4) It was given at a specific place (“let everyone of you lay by him in store”). This is because Paul would come later (Rom 15:3—“when I come”) to gather what the brethren had been individually saving at home (“lay by him”).
(5) This command is entirely specific to the Corinthians (Rom 15:1). It should be clear that it is not a command for Sunday collections, but merely instruction to local brethren to store an important offering. It was to help poor brethren in Jerusalem—and was not for the ministry, or for the administration of the church, or for “missionary work” around the world, or for any other purpose than that described!
Finally, this letter was received in Corinth during the Days of Unleavened Bread. “First day of the week” should correctly be translated “first of the weeks (plural).” The collection was almost certainly to happen immediately after the Days of Unleavened Bread, in the first week counting toward Pentecost. It was not instruction to give on Sunday, the first day in the weekly cycle, as another means of validating Sunday-keeping.
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