1 Corinthians — Chapter 16
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1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2Upon 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.
3And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
4And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
5Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.
6And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
7For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
8But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
9For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
10Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
11Let 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.
12As 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.
13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
14Let all your things be done with charity.
15I 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,)
16That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
17I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
18For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
19The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
20All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
21The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
22If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.
2Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
3And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem:
4and if it be meet for me to go also, they shall go with me.
5But I will come unto you, when I shall have passed through Macedonia; for I pass through Macedonia;
6but with you it may be that I shall abide, or even winter, that ye may set me forward on my journey whithersoever I go.
7For I do not wish to see you now by the way; for I hope to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
8But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost;
9for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
10Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do:
11let no man therefore despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come unto me: for I expect him with the brethren.
12But as touching Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come unto you with the brethren: and it was not all [his] will to come now; but he will come when he shall have opportunity.
13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
14Let all that ye do be done in love.
15Now I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister unto the saints),
16that ye also be in subjection unto such, and to every one that helpeth in the work and laboreth.
17And I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they supplied.
18For they refreshed my spirit and yours: acknowledge ye therefore them that are such.
19The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
20All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.
21The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
22If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1With regard to the collection for the saints, please follow the directions that I gave to the churches of Galatia:
2On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside some income and save it to the extent that God has blessed you, so that a collection will not have to be made when I come.
3Then, when I arrive, I will send those whom you approve with letters of explanation to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
4And if it seems advisable that I should go also, they will go with me.
5But I will come to you after I have gone through Macedonia—for I will be going through Macedonia—
6and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you can send me on my journey, wherever I go.
7For I do not want to see you now in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows.
8But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,
9because a door of great opportunity stands wide open for me, but there are many opponents.
10Now if Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I am too.
11So then, let no one treat him with contempt. But send him on his way in peace so that he may come to me. For I am expecting him with the brothers.
12With regard to our brother Apollos: I strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was simply not his intention to come now. He will come when he has the opportunity.
13Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong.
14Everything you do should be done in love.
15Now, brothers and sisters, you know about the household of Stephanus, that as the first converts of Achaia, they devoted themselves to ministry for the saints. I urge you
16also to submit to people like this, and to everyone who cooperates in the work and labors hard.
17I was glad about the arrival of Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus because they have supplied the fellowship with you that I lacked.
18For they refreshed my spirit and yours. So then, recognize people like this.
19The churches in the province of Asia send greetings to you. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, with the church that meets in their house.
20All the brothers and sisters send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21I, Paul, send this greeting with my own hand.
22Let anyone who has no love for the Lord be accursed. Our Lord, come!
23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.
1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise.
2On the first day of the week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
3When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.
4If it is appropriate for me to go also, they will go with me.
5But I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia, for I am passing through Macedonia.
6But with you it may be that I will stay, or even winter, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go.
7For I do not wish to see you now in passing, but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.
8But I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost,
9for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
10Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.
11Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.
12Now concerning Apollos, the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
13Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!
14Let all that you do be done in love.
15Now I beg you, brothers (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints),
16that you also be in subjection to such, and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.
17I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.
18For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that.
19The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house.
20All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand.
22If any man doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come, Lord!
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Summary
Paul gives instructions for the collection for Jerusalem's saints, outlines his travel plans, commends Timothy and Apollos, and closes with final exhortations — "Watch, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the collection, Paul's plans, the final exhortations, and the significance of "Maranatha."
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Quit You Like Men" on v.13 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 658) "Quit you like men — act like men, be courageous, be brave. Not boys, not cowards, not weaklings — men. Stand your ground. Hold your position. Don't retreat. Don't compromise. Don't flinch. Be strong — and do it all in love (v.14)." Sermon: "Maranatha" on v.22 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1390) "Maranatha — Our Lord, come! The earliest prayer of the church. They lived in expectation of His return. Do you? Is 'Come, Lord Jesus' the cry of your heart? Or have you settled in so comfortably that His return would be an interruption?"
Videos
The Bible Project — 1 Corinthians Overview
Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)
Reflection
- 1. "As God hath prospered him" (v.2). Giving should be proportional to what God has given you — systematic, planned, and generous. How intentional is your giving? Is it proportional to how God has prospered you?
- 2. "A great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries" (v.9). Opportunity and opposition come together. Don't be surprised when open doors come with resistance. Where is God opening a door for you that also has adversaries?
- 3. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (v.13). Four commands: be alert, be grounded, be courageous, be strong. Which of these four do you most need to hear right now?
- 4. "Let all your things be done with charity" (v.14). After all the commands for strength and courage — love. Strength without love is brutality. Love without strength is sentimentality. You need both. How are you combining strength and love?
- 5. Paul's giving instructions (vv.1-2) are practical: weekly, proportional, planned. How does your giving compare? Is it systematic or sporadic? Proportional or random?
- 6. Paul commends Stephanas' household for "addicting themselves to the ministry of the saints" (v.15). They were devoted — addicted — to serving. What are you addicted to? What if you were addicted to serving others?
- 7. "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema" (v.22). The most serious warning in the letter. Not loving Christ is not neutral — it is damnable. Do you love Christ? How do you know?
- 8. "Maranatha — Our Lord, come!" (v.22). Is this your prayer? Do you long for Christ's return? Or have you become so comfortable in this world that His return would feel like an interruption?
- 9. Paul ends with "My love be with you all in Christ Jesus" (v.24). After all the correction, all the rebuke, all the hard truth — love. How do you end difficult conversations? With love or with distance?