Concerning the Collection for the Saints

16 Now concerning the collection for the saints: just as I gave directions about it to the churches of Galatia, so you do also. On the first day of the week, each one of you put aside[a] something, saving up to whatever extent he has prospered[b], in order that whenever I come, at that time collections do not take place. And whenever I arrive, whomever you approve by letters, I will send these to take your gift to Jerusalem. And if it is worthwhile for me to go also, they will travel with me.

Travel Plans for Paul and Associates

But I will come to you whenever I go through Macedonia (for I am going through Macedonia), and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go. For I do not want to see you now in passing, for I hope to remain some time with you, if the Lord allows it. But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a great and effective door has opened for me, and there are many opponents.

10 But if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to fear, for he is carrying out the Lord’s work, as I also am. 11 Therefore do not let anyone disdain him, but send him on his way in peace in order that he may come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

12 Now concerning Apollos our brother, I urged him many times that he should come to you with the brothers, and he was not at all willing that he should come now, but he will come whenever he has an opportunity.

Concluding Exhortations

13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act courageously, be strong. 14 All your actions must be done in love.

15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know about the household of Stephanas, that they are the first fruits of Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the ministry for the saints— 16 that you also be subject to such people, and to all those who work together and labor. 17 Now I rejoice over the arrival of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because these make up for your absence, 18 for they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people.

Final Greetings and Benediction

19 The churches of the province of Asia[c] greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you in the Lord many times, together with the church in their house. 20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 The greeting is by my hand—Paul’s. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. O Lord, come![d]

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:2 Literally “put from himself”
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:2 Literally “whatever if anything he has been prospered”
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:19 That is, the Roman province of Asia, known today as Asia Minor
  4. 1 Corinthians 16:22 The Aramaic expression marana tha (“O Lord, come!”) can also be rendered maran atha (“our Lord has come”); it is used here by Paul without explanation

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection(A) for the Lord’s people:(B) Do what I told the Galatian(C) churches to do. On the first day of every week,(D) each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.(E) Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve(F) and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Personal Requests

After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you(G)—for I will be going through Macedonia.(H) Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey,(I) wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.(J) But I will stay on at Ephesus(K) until Pentecost,(L) because a great door for effective work has opened to me,(M) and there are many who oppose me.

10 When Timothy(N) comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord,(O) just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt.(P) Send him on his way(Q) in peace(R) so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

12 Now about our brother Apollos:(S) I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

13 Be on your guard; stand firm(T) in the faith; be courageous; be strong.(U) 14 Do everything in love.(V)

15 You know that the household of Stephanas(W) were the first converts(X) in Achaia,(Y) and they have devoted themselves to the service(Z) of the Lord’s people.(AA) I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit(AB) to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.(AC) 18 For they refreshed(AD) my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.(AE)

Final Greetings

19 The churches in the province of Asia(AF) send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla[a](AG) greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.(AH) 20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.(AI)

21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(AJ)

22 If anyone does not love the Lord,(AK) let that person be cursed!(AL) Come, Lord[b]!(AM)

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.(AN)

24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.[c]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:22 The Greek for Come, Lord reproduces an Aramaic expression (Marana tha) used by early Christians.
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:24 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.

16 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

14 Let all your things be done with charity.

15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.