1 Corinthians 16
16
Helpful directions and greetings
1Finally, as to the fund — I have given instructions to the churches in Galatia about this collection, which is to be used by the church at Jerusalem, and I repeat the same instructions to you. 2I do not wish the money to be collected when I come, but begin now, every Sabbath, to put by something as each is able to afford it. 3I want you after that to appoint certain members to travel with the amount collected to Jerusalem. 4If the sum is a large one, I shall accompany this mission myself. 5-7For I intend to be with you shortly. I hope possibly to winter with you, at any rate, if the Lord permit, to be with you for a considerable time, not merely to visit you, en route for somewhere else. And I hope that some of you will accompany me when I leave. I shall come by way of Macedonia. 8At present I remain at Ephesus until Pentecost. 9The door is open here, wide open, and much work is being done, but the opposition is great. 10-11If Timothy comes to you, let him not feel that he is unwelcome, be generous and hospitable, for it is the Lord’s work that both he and I together pursue; and send him again to me with your kind thoughts, for I need him here. 12I have told Apollos again and again to go to you, and to take with him the brethren who usually accompany him; but I have never found him willing, because the opportunity has always been wanting hitherto, but he will come, when he is able. 13Be watchful and alert, stand, — for you can stand, — in the faith alone, without our help; be brave, and master yourselves. 14Then you will have nothing to fear. 15I have a thing to ask you, I beg you to remember the work Stephanas has done, the first of those who came into the faith in Achaia. He and his household have constantly ministered to those who are in the faith. 16They have set themselves to that task and it was a joy to me that they came here. 17-18Listen to them, and be guided by them, I pray you, and by all who work with them. Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus refreshed my spirit and yours too by their presence, which made up for your absence. Remember such workers as these.
19Greetings are sent to you with this from the churches of Asia, from Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, and the church which assembles in their house. 20All the brethren salute you. Salute one another, brethren, with a holy kiss.
21I now sign this letter with my own hand — Paul — and I subscribe these words. 22Let him that loves not the Lord be anathema, MARAN ATHA. 23See, I have written it with my own hand. 24The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you, and my love be with you all in Christ Jesus.
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1 Corinthians 16: GWC
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Translated in 1916, published in 1937.
1 Corinthians 16
16
The Collection.#This paragraph contains our earliest evidence for a project that became a major undertaking of Paul’s ministry. The collection for the church at Jerusalem was a symbol in his mind for the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christianity. Cf. Gal 2:10; Rom 15:25–29; 2 Cor 8–9 and the notes to this last passage. 1Now in regard to the collection#In regard to the collection: it has already begun in Galatia and Macedonia (cf. 2 Cor 8), and presumably he has already instructed the Corinthians about its purpose. for the holy ones, you also should do as I ordered the churches of Galatia.#Acts 24:17; Rom 15:25–32; 2 Cor 8–9; Gal 2:10. 2On the first day of the week each of you should set aside and save whatever he can afford, so that collections will not be going on when I come. 3And when I arrive, I shall send those whom you have approved with letters of recommendation to take your gracious gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems fitting that I should go also,#That I should go also: presumably Paul delivered the collection on his final visit to Jerusalem; cf. Rom 15:25–32; Acts 24:14. they will go with me.
Paul’s Travel Plans.#The travel plans outlined here may not have materialized precisely as Paul intended; cf. 2 Cor 1:8–2:13; 7:4–16. 5I shall come to you after I pass through Macedonia (for I am going to pass through Macedonia),#Acts 19:21; Rom 15:26; 2 Cor 1:15–16. 6and perhaps I shall stay or even spend the winter with you, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go. 7For I do not wish to see you now just in passing, but I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.#Acts 18:21. 8#In Ephesus until Pentecost: this tells us the place from which he wrote the letter and suggests he may have composed it about Easter time (cf. 1 Cor 5:7–8). I shall stay in Ephesus#15:32; Acts 18:19; 19:1–10. until Pentecost, 9because a door has opened for me wide and productive for work, but there are many opponents.#Acts 14:27; 2 Cor 2:12.
10If Timothy comes, see that he is without fear in your company, for he is doing the work of the Lord just as I am.#4:17; Acts 16:1; 19:22; Phil 2:19–23. 11Therefore, no one should disdain him. Rather, send him on his way in peace that he may come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. 12Now in regard to our brother Apollos, I urged him strongly to go to you with the brothers, but it was not at all his will that he go now. He will go when he has an opportunity.#1:12; 3:4–6, 22; Acts 18:24–28.
Exhortation and Greetings. 13Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 14Your every act should be done with love.
15I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas#1:16. is the firstfruits of Achaia and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the holy ones— 16be subordinate to such people and to everyone who works and toils with them. 17I rejoice in the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they made up for your absence, 18for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So give recognition to such people.#1 Thes 5:12–13.
19#These paragraphs conform to the normal epistolary conclusion, but their language is overlaid with liturgical coloration as well. The greetings of the Asian churches are probably to be read, along with the letter, in the liturgy at Corinth, and the union of the church is to be expressed by a holy kiss (1 Cor 16:19–20). Paul adds to this his own greeting (1 Cor 16:21) and blessings (1 Cor 16:23–24). The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca together with the church at their house send you many greetings in the Lord.#Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Rom 16:3–5. 20All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.#Rom 16:16; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thes 5:26; 1 Pt 5:14.
21I, Paul, write you this greeting in my own hand.#Gal 6:11; Col 4:18; 2 Thes 3:17. 22If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed.#Accursed: literally, “anathema.” This expression (cf. 1 Cor 12:3) is a formula for exclusion from the community; it may imply here a call to self-examination before celebration of the Eucharist, in preparation for the Lord’s coming and judgment (cf. 1 Cor 11:17–34). Marana tha: an Aramaic expression, probably used in the early Christian liturgy. As understood here (“O Lord, come!”), it is a prayer for the early return of Christ. If the Aramaic words are divided differently (Maran atha, “Our Lord has come”), it becomes a credal declaration. The former interpretation is supported by what appears to be a Greek equivalent of this acclamation in Rev 22:20 “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Marana tha.#12:3; Rom 9:3; Gal 1:8–9; Rev 22:20. 23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.#Rom 16:20. 24My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.
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