1 Corinthians 16
16
An Offering for Believers in Jerusalem
1Now, concerning the collection I want you to take for God’s holy believers in Jerusalem who are in need, # 16:1 Although it is implied here, it is made explicit in v. 3 that the offering was for those in Jerusalem. I want you to follow the same instructions I gave the churches of Galatia. # 16:1 Galatia is a region of the Anatolia province of central Turkey. 2Every Sunday, each of you make a generous offering by taking a portion of whatever God has blessed you with and place it in safekeeping. Then I won’t have to make a special appeal when I come. 3When I arrive, I will send your gift to the poor in Jerusalem along with a letter of explanation, carried by those whom you approve. 4If it seems advisable for me to accompany them, I’ll be glad to have them travel with me.
Paul’s Plans to Visit Corinth
5I plan to be traveling through Macedonia, and afterward I will visit you 6and perhaps stay there for a while, or even spend the winter with you. Afterward you can send me on my journey, wherever I go next, with your financial support. 7For it’s not my desire to just see you in passing, but I would like to spend some time with you if the Lord permits. 8Regardless, I will remain in Ephesus until the feast of Pentecost. 9There’s an amazing door of opportunity standing wide open for me to minister here, even though there are many who oppose and stand against me. # 16:9 See Acts 19.
10When Timothy arrives, make sure that he feels at home while he’s with you, for he’s advancing the Lord’s work just as I am. 11Don’t let anyone disparage or look down on him, but kindly help him on his way with financial support so that he may come back to me, for I am waiting for him and the brothers to return.
12Now, about our brother Apollos. I’ve tried hard to convince him to come visit you with the other brothers, # 16:12 The other brothers may have been those who carried the letter from the Corinthians to Paul, Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus (1 Cor. 16:17). but it’s simply not the right time for him now. But don’t worry, he’ll come when he has the opportunity.
Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings
13Remember to stay alert and hold firmly to all that you believe. Be mighty and full of courage. 14Let love and kindness be the motivation behind all that you do. 15Dear brothers and sisters, I have a request to make of you. Give special recognition to Stephanas and his family, for they were the first converts in Achaia, # 16:15 At the time Paul wrote to the Corinthians, Achaia was a Roman province in southern Greece. and they have fully devoted themselves to serve God’s holy people. # 16:15 Whenever we minister to God’s people, we are ministering to the Lord. See Matt. 25:34–46. 16I urge you to honor and support them, and all those like them who work so diligently for the Lord.
17I was delighted when Stephanas, # 16:17 Stephanas means “crowned.” Some believe that he was the Philippian jailor who, along with his household, became the first believers in Philippi. Fortunatus, # 16:17 Fortunatus means “blessed.” He is recognized in the Orthodox Church as one of the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus as an apostle. and Achaicus # 16:17 Achaicus means “a native of Achaia.” He is recognized in church history as one of the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus as an apostle. arrived, for they’ve made up for your absence. 18They have refreshed my spirit in the same way they’ve refreshed yours. Be sure to honor people like this.
19All the churches of western Turkey # 16:19 Or “[the Roman province] of Asia.” send their loving greetings to you. Aquila and Prisca # 16:19 Prisca was a diminutive form of Priscilla (“long life”). She and her husband, Aquila (“eagle”), were tentmakers like Paul. They were not only business partners but partners with him in ministry. See Acts 18:2, 18, 26; 2 Tim. 4:19. greet you warmly in the Lord with those of their house church. 20All of your fellow believers here in Ephesus send their greetings. Greet one another with a sacred kiss. # 16:20 What makes a kiss holy is that it comes from the love of God. See Song. 1:2.
21In my own handwriting, I, Paul, add my loving greeting.
22If anyone doesn’t sincerely love the Lord, he deserves to be doomed as an outcast. # 16:22 Or “accursed.” Our Lord has come! # 16:22 Or “Maranatha!” This is an Aramaic word that can be translated in two ways, “Come, our Lord” or “Our Lord has come.” 23May the grace and favor of our Lord Jesus be with you. 24I send my love to all who are joined in the life of Jesus, the Anointed One.
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1 Corinthians 16: TPT
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