1 Corinthians 16

The Collection for the Saints

¹Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise.

²On the first day of every week, let each one of you save as he may prosper, that no collections are 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.

Paul's Travel Plans

⁵I 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 with you, or even winter with you, 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, but it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.

Final Exhortations

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.

Final Greetings

¹⁹The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly 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 cursed. Come, Lord!

²³The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

²⁴My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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Paul concludes his first letter to the Corinthians with practical instructions about collecting funds for the Jerusalem church, outlining his travel plans and ministry updates. He provides final exhortations for the church to remain watchful, courageous, and loving, while acknowledging faithful servants like Stephanas. The chapter closes with warm greetings from various churches and individuals, emphasizing the interconnected nature of the early Christian community.

Context

This concluding chapter shifts from addressing the doctrinal and practical issues discussed throughout the letter to focusing on future ministry plans and maintaining Christian fellowship.

Key Themes

Outline

1-4
The Collection for the SaintsPaul instructs the Corinthians on systematic giving for the Jerusalem church relief fund.
5-12
Paul's Travel PlansPaul outlines his intended visit to Corinth and provides updates on Timothy and Apollos.
13-18
Final ExhortationsPaul calls for vigilance, courage, and love while commending faithful servants like Stephanas.
19-24
Final GreetingsPaul conveys greetings from various churches and closes with a blessing and declaration of love.

The Collection for the Saints

16:1–16:4

epistleinstructioncontemplative

Paul provides instructions for collecting money for the saints in Jerusalem, establishing a systematic approach for weekly giving. This demonstrates early Christian practices of mutual support and organized charity.

person_contrast

Paul's shift from theological discourse to practical fundraising logistics reveals early Christianity's systematic approach to cross-cultural charity, establishing weekly giving as congregational discipline.

Paul's Travel Plans

16:5–16:12

epistleinstructionhopeful

Paul outlines his travel plans and discusses the ministry of Timothy and Apollos. He emphasizes the collaborative nature of apostolic work and the importance of supporting fellow ministers.

person_contrast

Paul's meticulous travel itinerary contrasts sharply with his usual theological focus, revealing how apostolic authority required careful logistical coordination and diplomatic timing.

Final Exhortations

16:13–16:18

epistleexhortationurgent

Paul gives final exhortations emphasizing courage, love, and recognition of faithful servants. He commends those who have served the church and refreshed his spirit.

person_contrast

Paul's unusual pairing of "courage" with "fellowship" in these final exhortations creates a rare biblical combination, appearing together in only two other Pauline passages.

Final Greetings

16:19–16:24

epistleblessingtender

Paul concludes with greetings from various churches and individuals, emphasizing Christian fellowship and love. He ends with a blessing and expression of love for the Corinthian church.

person_contrast

Paul's handwritten signature in verse 21 marks one of only four times he personally authenticates a letter, suggesting heightened concern about false correspondence reaching Corinth.

1 Corinthians 16:1

1 Corinthians 7:17lexical

Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assembli…

1 Corinthians 16:2

Acts 4:35lexical

and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.

1 Corinthians 12:18lexical

But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.

Galatians 6:4lexical

But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else.

Acts 21:26lexical

Then Paul took the men, and the next day purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment…

1 Thessalonians 2:11lexical

As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children,

1 Corinthians 16:6

Romans 15:24lexical

whenever I travel to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by…

1 Corinthians 16:7

Luke 23:8lexical

Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard ma…

1 Corinthians 7:39lexical

A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whomev…

John 5:6lexical

When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be made we…

1 Corinthians 16:8

Acts 20:16lexical

For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it…

1 Corinthians 16:9

Acts 16:26lexical

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors…

1 Corinthians 16:10

Acts 13:41lexical

‘Behold, you scoffers! Wonder and perish, for I work a work in your days, a work which you will in no way believe, if on…

1 Corinthians 16:15

2 Corinthians 1:1lexical

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Co…

Acts 9:17lexical

Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to…

Matthew 12:25lexical

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every ci…

Romans 12:1lexical

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to Go…

1 Corinthians 16:17

Philippians 2:30lexical

because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service…

1 Corinthians 16:19

2 Timothy 4:19lexical

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.

Colossians 4:15lexical

Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house.

Romans 16:5lexical

Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.

Acts 18:8lexical

Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard,…

Acts 10:2lexical

a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and alwa…

1 Corinthians 16:20

2 Corinthians 13:12lexical

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Romans 16:16lexical

Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.

1 Thessalonians 5:26lexical

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

1 Peter 5:14lexical

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to all of you who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Philippians 4:21lexical

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.

1 Corinthians 16:21

2 Thessalonians 3:17lexical

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter. This is how I write.

Colossians 4:18lexical

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Interlinear

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Historical Context

Places and events in this chapter

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