1 Corinthians16
New Living Translation
1Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia.
2On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.
3When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.
4And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.
5I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, for I am planning to travel through Macedonia.
6Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination.
7This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me.
8In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost.
9There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.
10When Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.
11Don’t let anyone treat him with contempt. Send him on his way with your blessing when he returns to me. I expect him to come with the other believers.
12Now about our brother Apollos—I urged him to visit you with the other believers, but he was not willing to go right now. He will see you later when he has the opportunity.
13Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.
14And do everything with love.
15You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters,
16to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion.
17I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren’t here to give me.
18They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.
19The churches here in the province of Asia send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings.
20All the brothers and sisters here send greetings to you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss.
21HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL.
22If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come!
23May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Corinthians 16.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A collection for the poor at Jerusalem. (1–9). Timothy and Apollos commended. (10–12). Exhortation to watchfulness in faith and love. (13–18). Christian salutations. (19–24).
vv1-9
The good examples of other Christians and churches should rouse us. It is good to lay up in store for good uses. Those who are rich in this world, should be rich in good works, 1Ti 6:17, 18. The diligent hand will not make rich, without the Divine blessing, Pr 10:4, 22. And what more proper to stir us up to charity to the people and children of God, than to look at all we have as his gift? Works of mercy are real fruits of true love to God, and are therefore proper services on his own day. Ministers are doing their proper business, when putting forward, or helping works of charity. The heart of a Christian minister must be towards the people among whom he has laboured long, and with success. All our purposes must be made with submission to the Divine providence, Jas 4:15. Adversaries and opposition do not break the spirits of faithful and successful ministers, but warm their zeal, and inspire them with fresh courage. A faithful minister is more discouraged by the hardness of his hearers' hearts, and the backslidings of professors, than by the enemies' attempts.
vv10-12
Timothy came to do the work of the Lord. Therefore to vex his spirit, would be to grieve the Holy Spirit; to despise him, would be to despise Him that sent him. Those who work the work of the Lord, should be treated with tenderness and respect. Faithful ministers will not be jealous of each other. It becomes the ministers of the gospel to show concern for each other's reputation and usefulness.
vv13-18
A Christian is always in danger, therefore should ever be on the watch. He should be fixed in the faith of the gospel, and never desert or give it up. By this faith alone he will be able to keep his ground in an hour of temptation. Christians should be careful that charity not only reigns in their hearts, but shines in their lives. There is a great difference between Christian firmness and feverish warmth and transport. The apostle gave particular directions as to some who served the cause of Christ among them. Those who serve the saints, those who desire the honour of the churches, and to remove reproaches from them, are to be thought much of, and loved. They should willingly acknowledge the worth of such, and all who laboured with or helped the apostle.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
περί (perí): properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period)
λογία (logía): a contribution
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἅγιος (hágios): sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
ὥσπερ (hṓsper): just as, i.e. exactly like
διατάσσω (diatássō): to arrange thoroughly, i.e. (specially) institute, prescribe, etc.
ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía): a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
Γαλατία (Galatía): Galatia, a region of Asia
οὕτω (hoútō): in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 16Direct parallel identifying the collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem from Greece/Macedonia.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's prior agreement with the Jerusalem apostles to remember the poor, establishing this collection's background.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Clear apostolic practice of gathering for worship and breaking bread on the first day of the week.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Agabus's prophecy of famine, which prompted the widespread relief efforts for the Judean church.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Historical account of Paul's journey strengthening the churches of Galatia where he gave this order.
Supported by JFB
Establishes the early church designation of the first day of the week as the Lord's Day.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Details the messengers chosen by the churches to accompany Paul in bringing this same collection.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Expresses the standard of conditional planning under God's sovereign will ('if the Lord permit').
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Paul uses the same metaphor of an opened door for gospel opportunity.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Luke records Paul's purpose in spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul hastens past Ephesus to be in Jerusalem, if possible, by Pentecost.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's similar instruction that Timothy's youth should not be despised or cause fear.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies the household of Stephanas, whom Paul personally baptized as firstfruits of Achaia.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Introduces Aquila and Priscilla, who salute the Corinthians and had previously hosted Paul.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Defends Paul against accusations of fickleness regarding his changed travel plans to Corinth.
Supported by Matthew Poole