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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1 Corinthians 16: MSG
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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.
1 Corinthians 16
16
Collection for the Jerusalem Church
1Now about the collection # Ac 11:30; 2Co 8:4 for the saints: You should do the same as I instructed the Galatian # Gl 1:2 churches. 2On the first day of the week, # Or Each Sunday # Mt 28:1; Mk 16:9; Lk 24:1; Jn 20:1,19; Ac 20:7 each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he prospers, so that no collections will need to be made when I come. # 2Co 9:1-5 3When I arrive, I will send with letters # 2Co 8:16-22 those you recommend to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem. # Mt 23:37; Ac 8:1 4If it is suitable for me to go as well, they can travel with me.
Paul’s Travel Plans
5I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia # Ac 16:9 — for I will be traveling through Macedonia — 6and perhaps I will remain with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go. 7I don’t want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows. # Ps 143:10; Pr 16:9; Jn 5:30; Gl 1:4; Eph 1:9; 1Jn 2:17 8But I will stay in Ephesus # Eph 1:1 until Pentecost, # Ex 34:22 9because a wide door # Col 4:3 for effective ministry has opened for me # Lit for a door has opened to me, great and effective — yet many oppose me. 10If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear from you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, # Jn 5:17; 2Jn 8 just as I am. 11Therefore, no one should look down # Lk 18:9 on him. Send him on his way in peace so he can come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. # With the brothers may connect with Paul or Timothy.
12About our brother Apollos: # Ti 3:13 I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. However, he will come when he has an opportunity.
Final Exhortation
13Be alert, stand firm in the faith, # Jd 3 act like a man, be strong. 14Your every action must be done with love. # 1Co 13:1
15Brothers, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the firstfruits # Lv 2:12 of Achaia # Ac 18:12 and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you 16also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. 17I am pleased to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence. 18For they have refreshed my spirit # Ps 51:12 and yours. Therefore recognize # 1Th 5:12 such people.
Conclusion
19The churches of Asia # Ac 6:9 greet you. # Rm 16:3-23; 2Co 13:12; Php 4:21-22; Col 4:10-15; 1Th 5:26; Phm 23-24 Aquila and Priscilla # Ac 18:2 greet you warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home. # Rm 16:5 20All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. # 2Co 13:12
21This greeting is in my own hand # Paul normally dictated his letters to a secretary, but signed the end of each letter himself; Rm 16:22; Gl 6:11; Col 4:18; 2Th 3:17. # 2Th 3:17 — Paul. 22If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Marana tha that is, Lord, come! # Or Maran atha (an Aram expression transliterated into Gk) = Our Lord has come! 23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. # 2Co 13:13; Gl 6:18; Eph 6:23-24; Php 4:23; Col 4:18; 1Th 5:28; 2Th 3:18 24My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.
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