As the letter of 1st Corinthians comes to an end were introduced to several faithful ministers of the gospel. These servants, like many others mentioned in the Scripture, are held in high regard for their dedication to the Lord. The Apostle then sends several greetings to the Corinthians and closes with a sober warning. With his ministry marked by an abundance of grace and truth, it’s fitting that the Apostle closes where he does—the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and a dire warning to those who don’t love Him.

Throughout the Old Testament God calls Israel’s attention back to the Exodus. Over seventy times God tells them to remember what happened there and who it was that set them free. The story of the Exodus foretells and depicts the gospel message where Christ our Passover Lamb triumphed over his enemies and proclaimed freedom to those who put their faith in Him.

As the Apostle Paul begins to give his closing remarks to the Corinthian church, he encourages them to set aside a collection on the first day of the week for the saints in Jerusalem. In the midst of all of Paul’s pursuits he never forgot the poor.

Paul then shares his intent to send his brother’s in Christ to minister to the Corinthians and closes his beginning section with five powerful commands to the church. If the Corinthians could obey this short list of commands their church would be radically transformed.