[One of the "strongholds" of Biblical first-day arguments is 1 Cor. 16:2. It is contended that the passage teaches that the Christians met together each first day of the week, and that a collection was then taken from the congregation. But it will be seen from the following compilation by Mr. A. L. Manous that no such thing is taught by the scripture itself.—EDITOR.]
THE following are some of the English translations, chronologically arranged, of the expression, "lay by him," found in 1 Cor. 16:2. They show that the laying by was a private and not a public matter:
1380-1388. "Ech of you kepe at hym silf."—Wyclif and Pervey's Translation.
1525. "Let every one of you put aside at home."—Tyndale's Translation:
1582. "Let every one of you put apart with himself."—Douay Version.
1611. "Let every one of you lay by him."—Authorized Version.
1824. "Let every one of you lay up something by him, treasuring up."—Boothroyd.
1826. "Let each of you lay somewhat by itself." —Campbell, Macknight, and Doddridge's Translation.
1846. "Let every one of you lay aside and preserve at home."—Murdock's Syriac Translation.
1864. "Let each of you lay something by it-self."—Emphatic Diaglott.
1878. "Let each one of you put by itself,—treasuring up."—Rotherham's Translation from Tregelles's Greek Text.
1883. "Let each of you by himself lay by."—Fenton's Translation.
1885. "Let each one of you lay by him in store."—Revised Version (English).
1887. "Let each one of you lay by him, treasuring up."—Young's Translation.
1900. "Let each one of you lay by him."—American Standard Revised Version.
1902. "Let each of you put on one side and store up at home."—Weymouth's Translation.
1903. "Let each one of you put by itself."—Rotherham, from Wescott and Hort's Greek Text.
1906. "Literally, 'Put by himself, treasuring. Put by at home."—Vincent's "Word Studies in the New Testament."
1906. "Let each of you set apart."—"Life and Epistles of Paul," Conybeare and Howson, Revised to date by Howson.