on Treasury

Question #1> Does the Bible require that one support the local congregation?

Question #2> Does the Greek require that I lay by at home or at "church"?

Question: "Some say that you can save your money at home and then send it to whomever you wish and when you wish. Does the Bible require that you support the local congregation and its work each week?"

Question: "I'm confused. I've noticed at least two versions (Weymouth's* and Darby's*) that use "lay by" "at home" in I Corinthians 16:2? Does the Greek support this?"

2   kata mian sabbatwn    ekastos umwn
  On the first day of each week,     each   of you
par eautw* tiqetw qhsaurizwn o ti an euodwtai ina mh
by himself let him put   storing up whatever he is prospered, lest
otan elqw tote logiai ginwntai
whenever I come then collections there are.

* [reflexive pronoun]

TRANSLATIONS OF VERSE 2.

*Darby's - " let each of you put by at home, laying up in whatever degree he may have prospered,"
*Weymouth's - " let each of you put on one side and store up at his home whatever gain has been granted to him;"
RSV- " each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper,"
Modern King James- " let each of you put by himself, storing up what ever he is prospered"
Basic Bible in English - " let every one of you put by him in store, in measure as he has done well in business,"
NKJ - " let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper,"
Young's Literal - " let each one of you lay by him, treasuring up whatever he may have prospered,"
20th Century NT - " each of you should put by what he can afford,"
KJV- " let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him,"
World English Bible - " let each one of you save, as he may prosper,"
ASV - " let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper,"

Gaylon, I would make the following observations relative to the provate application of this passage:

1. The context of this passage is related to church (congregation) action and not private.
    a. The churches in Galatia as well as here were given the same directive (16:1)
    b. The church was to select someone to travel with the contribution (16:3-4)
    c. What one church was taught all were taught (I Cor. 4:17).
    d. A private setting aside funds would necessitate a collection (gathering together) of the funds, and this is what Paul stated he did not wish to do when he came (16:2)

2. The sectarian world has no problem with this passage; they, without reservation, take a contribution when they assemble.

3. Even a casual reading of Second Corinthians 8-9 will indicate that the action at Corinth under consideration was congregation and not private.
    a. The churches in Macedonian are cited as an example.
    b. The church at Corinth had made a promise contribution.
    c. The church in Corinth was encouraged to fulfill its promise.

4. Relative to the reflexive pronoun--it simply states that from ourselves (individually) we are to lay by in the congregations bounty as we have been prospered, etc.
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