John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 16:1

"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye." — 1 Corinthians 16:1 (ASV)

But concerning the collection, Luke relates (Acts 11:28) that the prediction of Agabus, foretelling that there would be a famine under Claudius Caesar, provided the occasion for alms to be collected by the saints, in order to provide help to the fellow believers in Jerusalem. For although the Prophet had foretold that this calamity would be prevalent almost throughout the world, yet because those in Jerusalem were more heavily oppressed with extreme poverty, and because all the Gentile Churches were obligated—lest they be found guilty of very great ingratitude—to provide aid to that place from which they had received the gospel, everyone, consequently, forgetting themselves, resolved to provide relief to Jerusalem.

That great need was felt heavily at Jerusalem is apparent from the Epistle to the Galatians (Galatians 2:10), where Paul relates that he had been instructed by the apostles to encourage the Gentiles to provide help. The apostles would never have given such an instruction if they had not been compelled by necessity. Furthermore, this passage provides evidence for what Paul also states there—that he had been diligent in urging the Gentiles to provide help in such a case of necessity.

Now, however, Paul prescribes the method for this relief. So that the Corinthians might adopt it more readily, he mentions that he had already prescribed it to the churches of Galatia. He knew they would likely be more influenced by this example, as we tend to feel a natural reluctance towards anything not commonly practiced. What follows is the method by which he intended to eliminate all hindrances and obstacles.