1 Corinthians 16
16
Chapter 16
Help for God's people
1You asked me about the money that you want to give to God's people at Jerusalem. You should do it in the same way that I told the churches in Galatia. #16:1 Galatia was part of the country that is called Turkey now. 2On the first day of every week, each of you should put some of your money in a safe place. Think about how much God has given you. Then decide how much you can give each week. If you do that, the gift will be ready when I come to you. We will not need to start doing it after I come. 3When I arrive there, you should choose people from your group who will take your gift to Jerusalem. I will write some letters that they will take with them. The letters will explain about your gift. 4I may also go myself, if that seems the right thing for me to do. Then they can travel with me.
5But I must travel through Macedonia first. #16:5 Macedonia was north from the country called Greece now. After I have been to Macedonia, then I will come to you. 6I will probably remain with you for some time. I may even stay for the whole winter. Then you can help me to continue my journey to the next place. I am not sure yet where that may be. 7If I come now, I would only have a short time with you. But I want to stay with you for a longer time, if the Lord will let me do that. 8So I will remain here at Ephesus city until the Pentecost festival. #16:8 Ephesus was a city in the country that we call Turkey now. Pentecost was the special time each year when Israel's people thanked God for their food. 9God has given me the chance to do a great work here. But many people are against what I am doing.
10If Timothy comes to you, please take care of him. Make sure that you welcome him. He is doing the Lord's work, as I am also doing. 11So you should all respect him properly. When he is ready to leave, help him with the things that he needs. Then he can continue his journey and come to me here. I am waiting for him to come with the other believers.
12As for our Christian friend Apollos, I wanted him to visit you. I have often told him to come to you together with the other believers. But he does not think that this is the right time. He will come to you when he has the chance.
Paul finishes his letter
13Watch carefully for danger. Never stop trusting God. Continue to be brave and strong. 14Whatever you do, do it with love.
15My Christian friends, you know about Stephanas and his family. They were the first people in Achaia to become Christians. #16:15 Achaia was the south part of the country that we call Greece. They have worked hard as God's servants to help his people. So I say this to you. 16You must respect people like them. Do what they say. And also respect everyone who works hard to serve God together with them.
17I was very happy when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived here. You could not be here yourselves, but they have taken your place. 18They have helped me to feel stronger, as they also did for you. You should recognize the authority of people like them.
19The churches here in Asia region say ‘hello’ to you. Aquila and Priscilla, and the group of believers that meets in their house, also say ‘hello’ to you. They love you because you belong to the Lord, as they do. 20All the Christians here say ‘hello’ to you.
When you meet, kiss each other as Christian brothers and sisters.
21I, Paul, am writing these words at the end of this letter with my own hand. I say ‘hello’ to you.
22If anyone among you does not really love the Lord, I pray that God will curse that person.
Our Lord, come now! We are waiting for you!
23I pray that the Lord Jesus will continue to be kind to all of you.
24I love all of you who belong to Christ Jesus, as I do.
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1 Corinthians 16: EASY
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MissionAssist 2018
1 Corinthians 16
16
Coming to See You
1-4Regarding the relief offering for poor Christians that is being collected, you get the same instructions I gave the churches in Galatia. Every Sunday each of you make an offering and put it in safekeeping. Be as generous as you can. When I get there you’ll have it ready, and I won’t have to make a special appeal. Then after I arrive, I’ll write letters authorizing whomever you delegate, and send them off to Jerusalem to deliver your gift. If you think it best that I go along, I’ll be glad to travel with them.
5-9I plan to visit you after passing through northern Greece. I won’t be staying long there, but maybe I can stay awhile with you—maybe even spend the winter? Then you could give me a good send-off, wherever I may be headed next. I don’t want to just drop by in between other “primary” destinations. I want a good, long, leisurely visit. If the Master agrees, we’ll have it! For the present, I’m staying right here in Ephesus. A huge door of opportunity for good work has opened up here. (There is also mushrooming opposition.)
10-11If Timothy shows up, take good care of him. Make him feel completely at home among you. He works so hard for the Master, just as I do. Don’t let anyone disparage him. After a while, send him on to me with your blessing. Tell him I’m expecting him, and any friends he has with him.
12About our friend Apollos, I’ve done my best to get him to pay you a visit, but haven’t talked him into it yet. He doesn’t think this is the right time. But there will be a “right time.”
13-14Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.
15-16Would you do me a favor, friends, and give special recognition to the family of Stephanas? You know, they were among the first converts in Greece, and they’ve put themselves out, serving Christians ever since then. I want you to honor and look up to people like that: companions and workers who show us how to do it, giving us something to aspire to.
17-18I want you to know how delighted I am to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus here with me. They partially make up for your absence! They’ve refreshed me by keeping me in touch with you. Be proud that you have people like this among you.
19The churches here in western Asia send greetings.
Aquila, Priscilla, and the church that meets in their house say hello.
20All the friends here say hello.
Pass the greetings around with holy hugs!
21And I, Paul—in my own handwriting!—send you my regards.
22If anyone won’t love the Master, throw him out. Make room for the Master!
23Our Master Jesus has his arms wide open for you.
24And I love all of you in the Messiah, in Jesus.
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THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.