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.
Currently Selected:
1 Corinthians 16: NABRE
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
1 Corinthians 16
16
The Question About the Offering for the Lord’s People
1Now I want to deal with the offering of money for the Lord’s people. Do what I told the churches in Galatia to do. 2On the first day of every week, each of you should put some money aside. The amount should be in keeping with how much you’ve made. Save up the money so you won’t have to take an offering when I come. 3When I arrive, I’ll send some people with your gift to Jerusalem. They’ll be people you trust. You can choose them yourselves. I’ll give them letters to explain who they are. 4If it seems good for me to go to Jerusalem too, they can travel with me.
What Paul Asks for Himself
5After I go through Macedonia, I’ll come and see you, since I’ll only be passing through Macedonia. 6I might stay with you for a while, and even spend the winter. Then you can help me on my journey, wherever I go after that. 7I don’t want to see you now while I’m just passing through. Instead, I want to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows that. 8But I’m going to stay here in Ephesus until the day of Pentecost. 9A door has opened wide for me to do some good work here, even though there are also many people who oppose me.
10When Timothy comes, make sure he has nothing to worry about while he’s with you. He’s doing the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11So don’t let anyone treat him with disrespect. Send him on his way in peace so he can return to me. I’m expecting him to come back along with the others.
12As for our brother Apollos, I tried my best to get him to come to you with the others, but he really didn’t want to. He’ll come when it’s a better time.
13Be on your guard, remain strong in the faith, be brave, 14and be loving in everything you do.
15You know that the first believers in Achaia were from the family of Stephanas. They’ve spent all their time serving the Lord’s people. Brothers and sisters, I’m asking you 16to follow the lead of people like them. Follow everyone who joins in the task and works hard at it. 17I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus arrived. They have provided me with what you couldn’t give me. 18They refreshed my spirit, and yours also. People like them are worthy of honor.
Final Greetings
19The churches in the province of Asia send you their greetings.
Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets in their house.
20All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand.
22If anyone does not love the Lord, let a curse be on that person! Come, Lord!
23May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24I give my love to all of you who belong to Christ Jesus. Amen.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Radiate™ New Testament
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014, 2020 by Biblica, Inc.
Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.