16 1 He exhorteth them to help the poor brethren of Jerusalem: 10 Then he commendeth Timothy, 13 and so with a friendly exhortation, 19 and commendations, endeth the Epistle.

Concerning [a]the gathering for the Saints, as I have ordained in the Churches of Galatia, so do ye also.

Every [b]first day of the week, let every one of you put aside by himself, and lay up as God hath [c]prospered him, that then there be no gatherings when I come.

And when I am come, whomsoever ye shall allow by [d]letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

[e]And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

Now I will come unto you, after I have gone through Macedonia (for I will pass through Macedonia.)

And it may be that I will abide, yea, or winter with you, that ye may bring me on my way, whithersoever I go.

For I will not see you now in my passage, but I trust to abide a while with you, if the Lord permit.

And I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

For a great door and [f]effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

10 ¶ Now if Timothy come, see that he be [g]without fear with you: for he worketh the work of the Lord, even as I do.

11 Let no man therefore despise him: but convey him forth [h]in peace, that he may come unto me: for I looked for him with the brethren.

12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his mind was not at all to come at this time: howbeit he will come when he shall have convenient time.

13 ¶ Watch ye: stand fast in the faith: quit you like men, and be strong.

14 Let all your things be done in love.

15 Now brethren, I beseech you (ye know the house of [i]Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have [j]given themselves to minister unto the Saints.)

16 That ye be [k]obedient even unto such, and to all that help with us and labor.

17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus: for they have supplied the want of you.

18 For they have comforted my [l]spirit and yours: [m]acknowledge therefore such men.

19 The Churches of Asia salute you: Aquila and Priscilla with the Church that is in their house, salute you greatly in the Lord.

20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an (A)holy kiss.

21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be had in execration [n]maran-atha.

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

24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus, Amen.

The first Epistle to the Corinthians, written from Philippi, and sent by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timothy.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:1 Collections in old time were made by the Apostles appointment the first day of the week, on which day the manner was then to assemble themselves.
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:2 Which in times past was called Sunday, but now is called the Lord’s day.
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:2 That every man bestow, according to the ability that God hath blessed him with.
  4. 1 Corinthians 16:3 Which you shall give them to carry.
  5. 1 Corinthians 16:4 The residue of the Epistle is spent in writing of familiar matters, yet so that all things be referred to his purposed mark, that is to say, to the glory of God, and the edifying of the Corinthians.
  6. 1 Corinthians 16:9 Very fit and convenient to do great things by.
  7. 1 Corinthians 16:10 Without any just occasion of fear.
  8. 1 Corinthians 16:11 Safe and sound, and that with all kinds of courtesy.
  9. 1 Corinthians 16:15 Stephanas is the name of a man and not of a woman.
  10. 1 Corinthians 16:15 Given themselves wholly to the ministry.
  11. 1 Corinthians 16:16 That you honor and reverence them, be obedient to them and be content to be ruled by them, as meet as you should, seeing they have bestowed themselves, and their goods to help you withall.
  12. 1 Corinthians 16:18 Mine heart.
  13. 1 Corinthians 16:18 Take them for such men as they are indeed.
  14. 1 Corinthians 16:22 By these words, are betokened the [secret] kind of curse and excommunication that was amongst the Jews: and the words are as much as to say, as our Lord cometh: So that his meaning may be this, Let him be accursed even to the coming of the Lord, that is to say, to his death’s day, even for ever.

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection(A) for the Lord’s people:(B) Do what I told the Galatian(C) churches to do. On the first day of every week,(D) each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.(E) Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve(F) and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Personal Requests

After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you(G)—for I will be going through Macedonia.(H) Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey,(I) wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.(J) But I will stay on at Ephesus(K) until Pentecost,(L) because a great door for effective work has opened to me,(M) and there are many who oppose me.

10 When Timothy(N) comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord,(O) just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt.(P) Send him on his way(Q) in peace(R) so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

12 Now about our brother Apollos:(S) I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

13 Be on your guard; stand firm(T) in the faith; be courageous; be strong.(U) 14 Do everything in love.(V)

15 You know that the household of Stephanas(W) were the first converts(X) in Achaia,(Y) and they have devoted themselves to the service(Z) of the Lord’s people.(AA) I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit(AB) to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.(AC) 18 For they refreshed(AD) my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.(AE)

Final Greetings

19 The churches in the province of Asia(AF) send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla[a](AG) greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.(AH) 20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.(AI)

21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(AJ)

22 If anyone does not love the Lord,(AK) let that person be cursed!(AL) Come, Lord[b]!(AM)

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.(AN)

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:22 The Greek for Come, Lord reproduces an Aramaic expression (Marana tha) used by early Christians.
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:24 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.