1 Corinthians 16
- Who wrote it
- Paul
- Who it was for
- The church in Corinth
- What was happening
- The collection for Jerusalem, travel plans, greetings, and a closing call to love
What’s happening
About the collection for the saints, Paul says to do as he directed the churches of Galatia: on the first day of every week each should set something aside as he prospers, so that no collections have to be made when he comes. When he arrives, he will send those whom they approve with letters to carry their gift to Jerusalem, and if it is suitable, he will go too. He plans to come to Corinth after passing through Macedonia, perhaps to stay or even winter with them, so they can send him on his way; for now he will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, "for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries." If Timothy comes, put him at ease, for he is doing the Lord's work as Paul is, and send him on in peace. As for Apollos, Paul strongly urged him to visit them with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now; he will come when he has opportunity. "Watch, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." Paul urges them to submit to the household of Stephanas, the first converts of Achaia, who have devoted themselves to the service of the saints, and to others like them. He rejoices at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus. The churches of Asia send greetings, and Aquila and Prisca, with the church that meets in their house, send hearty greetings, and all the brothers greet them. "Greet one another with a holy kiss." Paul writes the last greeting in his own hand: "If anyone doesn't love the Lord, let him be accursed. Come, Lord! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen."
Why the setting matters
The collection for the poor in Jerusalem was a major project of Paul's third journey (also Romans 15:25-31 and 2 Corinthians 8 and 9). It was a practical way to help believers in need, and it was also a sign of unity between Gentile churches and the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. The weekly pattern, "the first day of the week," is the earliest hint in the New Testament that Christians met on Sunday, though it is mentioned only in passing. The sentence about Ephesus tells us where Paul is writing and why he stays: the city was a major center with strong opposition and with great opportunity (Acts 19). The names at the end are the real people who made up the network around Paul: Prisca and Aquila had moved from Corinth to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19) and were hosting a house church there; Stephanas's household had been among the first converts in Achaia. The closing words "Maranatha" (16:22) are in Aramaic, "Our Lord, come!" or "Our Lord has come," which suggests the early church used it as a prayer, and Paul keeps it untranslated for a Greek-speaking church.
Who’s in this chapter
Paul
Plans to come after Macedonia, adds a greeting in his own hand.
Timothy
May come to Corinth; they should receive him well.
Apollos
Not willing to come at present.
Stephanas
His household were the first converts in Achaia.
Fortunatus
Came to Paul with Stephanas, probably bringing the letter from Corinth.
Achaicus
Came with Stephanas and Fortunatus.
Prisca and Aquila
Host a church in their house in Ephesus.
The poor in Jerusalem
The recipients of the collection.
Talk it through
- Paul asks for regular, planned giving, set aside "as he prospers." What does that say about how he thinks giving should work?
- "A great and effective door has opened, and there are many adversaries." How are those two connected?
- The letter ends with names of ordinary people who served. Why might Paul want them honored?
- "Let all that you do be done in love." How does that line sum up the letter?
Read 1 Corinthians 16
World English Bible
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. 5But I 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, or even winter, 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; and it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
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.
19The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much 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.
Text: World English Bible, Public domain. About our sources