1 Corinthians 16
English Standard Version
The Collection for the Saints
16 Now concerning[a] (A)the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On (B)the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, (C)as he may prosper, (D)so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send (E)those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
Plans for Travel
5 (F)I will visit you after passing through (G)Macedonia, for (H)I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may (I)help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now (J)just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, (K)if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until (L)Pentecost, 9 for (M)a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and (N)there are many adversaries.
10 (O)When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for (P)he is doing (Q)the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So (R)let no one despise him. (S)Help him on his way (T)in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.
Final Instructions
12 Now concerning (U)our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will[b] to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.
13 (V)Be watchful, (W)stand firm in the faith, (X)act like men, (Y)be strong. 14 (Z)Let all that you do be done in love.
15 Now I urge you, brothers[c]—you know that (AA)the household[d] of Stephanas were (AB)the first converts[e] in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves (AC)to the service of the saints— 16 (AD)be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for (AE)your absence, 18 for they (AF)refreshed my spirit as well as yours. (AG)Give recognition to such people.
Greetings
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. (AH)Aquila and Prisca, together with (AI)the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings. (AJ)Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, write (AK)this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be (AL)accursed. Our Lord, come![f] 23 (AM)The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 16:1 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1; also verse 12
- 1 Corinthians 16:12 Or God's will for him
- 1 Corinthians 16:15 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 20
- 1 Corinthians 16:15 Greek house
- 1 Corinthians 16:15 Greek the firstfruits
- 1 Corinthians 16:22 Greek Maranatha (a transliteration of Aramaic)
1 Corinthians 16
GOD’S WORD Translation
The Collection for the People in Jerusalem
16 Now, concerning the money to be collected for God’s people ⌞in Jerusalem⌟: I want you to do as I directed the churches in Galatia. 2 Every Sunday each of you should set aside some of your money and save it. Then money won’t have to be collected when I come. 3 When I come, I will give letters of introduction to the people whom you choose. You can send your gift to Jerusalem with them. 4 If I think it’s worthwhile for me to go, they can go with me.
Paul’s Plans
5 After I go through the province of Macedonia, I’ll visit you. (I will be going through Macedonia.) 6 I’ll probably stay with you. I might even spend the winter. Then you can give me your support as I travel, wherever I decide to go. 7 Right now all I could do is visit you briefly, but if the Lord lets me, I hope to spend some time with you. 8 I will be staying here in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 I have a great opportunity to do effective work here, although there are many people who oppose me.
News about Timothy, Apollos, and Others
10 If Timothy comes, make sure that he doesn’t have anything to be afraid of while he is with you. He’s doing the Lord’s work as I am, 11 so no one should treat him with contempt. Without quarreling, give him your support for his trip so that he may come to me. I’m expecting him to arrive with the other Christians.
12 Concerning Apollos, our brother in the Christian faith: I tried hard to get him to visit you with the other Christians. He didn’t want to at this time. However, he will visit you when he has an opportunity.
13 Be alert. Be firm in the Christian faith. Be courageous and strong. 14 Do everything with love.
15 You know that the family of Stephanas was the first family to be won ⌞for Christ⌟ in Greece. This family has devoted itself to serving God’s people. So I encourage you, brothers and sisters, 16 to follow the example of people like these and anyone else who shares their labor and hard work. 17 I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came here. They have made up for your absence. 18 They have comforted me, and they have comforted you. Therefore, show people like these your appreciation.
Greetings
19 The churches in the province of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca and the church that meets in their house send their warmest Christian greetings. 20 All the brothers and sisters ⌞here⌟ greet you. Greet each other with a holy kiss. 21 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand.
22 If anyone doesn’t love the Lord, let him be cursed! Our Lord, come!
23 May the good will [a] of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 Through Christ Jesus my love is with all of you.
Footnotes
- 16:23 Or “grace.”
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
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