Note 2 at 1Co 16:2: Here, Paul specified the first day of the week (Sunday) as a day to receive offerings. John said in Re 1:10 that he was in the Spirit on the "Lord's day," which most scholars believe to be the first day of the week. In Ac 20:7, it is mentioned that the church came together for communion on the first day of the week. This has led some to speculate that Sunday has special significance.

It is true that our Lord rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Lu 24:1 and Joh 20:19), and that would naturally cause those who witnessed the Resurrection to have special memories of that day. However, the first-century church met daily (Ac 2:46, 5:42, 19:9; and Heb 3:13), and there is insufficient evidence to conclude they elevated that day above any other. On the contrary, Paul spoke against criticizing those who do not esteem one day above another (Ro 14:5).

In any case, it can be said emphatically that Sunday is not the New Testament Sabbath. It is wrong to try to observe Sunday as the Sabbath. It is wonderful that our society as a whole observes one day a week as a day of rest and that Christians especially observe this day as a day of worship. However, the N.T. reveals that the Sabbath is not a day, but a relationship (see note 1 at Joh 5:16).

Note 3 at 1Co 16:2: Paul was advocating a systematic method of giving. If the people waited until Paul came to give their offerings, some might be unable to give at that time. Certainly, they wouldn't be able to give as much as if they had been giving each week before Paul came.

This establishes the principle of regular giving for us. Over a lifetime, those who give systematically will make a much larger impact with their giving than those who only give occasionally, even if they give large amounts.

Note 4 at 1Co 16:2: Paul didn't specify a certain amount for each individual. People's ability to give varies, and the Lord always made allowances for that. The classic commentary on giving according to our ability was given by Jesus as He beheld the widow woman who gave only two mites (see note 1 at Lu 21:3). The type of giver that God loves is a cheerful giver; i.e., those who have purposed in their own hearts to give and haven't been forced into it (2Co 9:7).

Note 5 at 1Co 16:2: This is unusual by today's standards. Paul was telling them to take the offering before he got there so he wouldn't have to do it. Most ministers today would not like that. They want the opportunity to receive the offering personally. They want to make sure they get as much money as possible. As sad as that is, the thing that is even sadder is that this works.

The average congregation will give more when encouraged or pressured to do so. This is like saying "sic 'em" to a dog. It only encourages more pressure and gimmicks. If Paul's example here was followed, so that offerings for visiting ministers were received before they ever arrived, it would drastically change things. This is not to say that it would reduce the amount of the offerings. That's not necessarily so. It would only reduce the abuses.