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The Gift for Other Believers

16 Now ·I will write about [or concerning your question about; L concerning; 7:1; 8:1; 12:1] the collection of money for ·God’s people [T the saints; 2 Cor. 8—9; Rom. 15:25–28]. Do the same thing I told the Galatian churches to do [C Galatia was a Roman province in present-day central Turkey where Paul started churches on his first missionary journey (Acts 13—14)]: On the first day of every week [C Sunday], each one of you should put aside money ·as you have been blessed [or what you can afford; L whatever one prospers]. Save it up so you will not have to collect money after I come. When I arrive, I will send ·with letters of introduction whomever you approve [or whomever you authorize with your letters] to take your gift to Jerusalem. And if it seems ·good [appropriate; advisable; or worthwhile] for me to go also, they will go along with me.

Paul’s Plans

I will come to you after I go through Macedonia—for I am planning to go through Macedonia [C the northern part of present-day Greece; Acts 19:21; 20:1, 2; 2 Cor. 1:15–16]. Perhaps I will stay with you for a time or even all winter. Then you can help me on my trip, wherever I go. [L For] I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to stay a longer time with you if the Lord allows it. But I will stay at Ephesus [C a prominent city in the Roman province of Asia, present-day western Turkey; Acts 19] until Pentecost [C the Jewish festival held on the fiftieth day after Passover (late spring)], because a ·good opportunity for a great and growing work has been given [L great and effective door (of opportunity) has opened up] to me now. And there are many ·people working against me [opponents; adversaries].

10 If Timothy comes to you, see to it that ·he has nothing to fear with you [or you put him at ease; you don’t intimidate him], because he is working for the Lord just as I am. 11 So none of you should treat Timothy ·as unimportant [or with contempt], but ·help [send] him on his trip in peace so that he can come back to me. I am expecting him to come with the ·brothers [other believers].

12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers. He did not at all want to come now; he will come when he has the opportunity.

Paul Ends His Letter

13 Be ·alert [watchful; on your guard]. ·Continue strong [Stand firm] in the faith. ·Have courage [or Act like men (ready for battle)], and be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

15 You know that the ·family [household] of Stephanas were the ·first believers in [L firstfruits of] Achaia [C southern Greece] and that they have given themselves to the service of ·God’s people [T the saints]. I ask you, brothers and sisters, 16 to ·follow the leading of [or submit to the authority of] people like these and anyone else who ·works and serves with them [or works hard in our common task].

17 I ·am happy [rejoice] that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come. ·You are not here, but they have filled your place [or They have supplied the help you could not]. 18 [L For] They have refreshed my spirit and yours. You should ·recognize the value of [or give recognition to] people like these.

19 The churches in Asia [C the Roman province, in present-day Turkey] send greetings to you. Aquila and Priscilla [Acts 18:2–3, 18, 26] greet you in the Lord, as does the church that meets in their house. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send greetings. Greet each other with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand [C the rest of the letter was evidently dictated to a scribe, called an amanuensis; see Rom. 16:22].

22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be ·separated from God—lost forever [L anathema]!

·Come, O Lord [L Maranatha; C Aramaic phrase meaning either “Our Lord, Come!” or “Our Lord has come”]!

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.[a]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:24 My… Jesus. Some Greek copies add “Amen.”

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.