Instructions and Greetings

16 Now concerning (A)the collection for [a](B)the saints, as (C)I directed the churches of (D)Galatia, so you are to do as well. On (E)the first day of every week, each of you is to [b]put aside and save as he may prosper, so that (F)no collections need to be made when I come. When I arrive, (G)whomever you approve, I will send them with letters to take your gift to Jerusalem; and if it is appropriate for me to go also, they will go with me.

But I (H)will come to you after I go through (I)Macedonia; for I (J)am going through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may (K)send me on my way wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now (L)just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, (M)if the Lord permits. But I will remain in (N)Ephesus until (O)Pentecost; for a (P)wide door [c]for effective service has opened to me, and (Q)there are many adversaries.

10 Now if (R)Timothy comes, see that he [d]has no reason to be afraid while among you, for he is doing (S)the Lord’s work, as I also am. 11 (T)So do not look down on him, anyone. But (U)send him on his way (V)in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.

12 Now concerning our brother (W)Apollos, I strongly encouraged 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 the opportunity.

13 (X)Be on the alert, (Y)stand firm in the faith, (Z)act like men, (AA)be strong. 14 All that you do must be done (AB)in love.

15 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters: you know the (AC)household of Stephanas, that [e]they are the (AD)first fruits of (AE)Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to (AF)ministry to (AG)the [f]saints; 16 I urge that (AH)you also be subject to such as these and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. 17 I rejoice over the [g](AI)coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they have [h]supplied (AJ)what was lacking on your part. 18 For they (AK)have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore (AL)acknowledge such men.

19 The churches of [i](AM)Asia greet you. (AN)Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with (AO)the church that is in their house. 20 All the brothers and sisters greet you. (AP)Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 The greeting is in (AQ)my own hand—that of Paul. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be [j](AR)accursed. [k](AS)Maranatha! 23 (AT)The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:1 I.e., the Christians in Jerusalem
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:2 Lit put with himself
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:9 Lit and effective
  4. 1 Corinthians 16:10 Lit is with you without reason to fear
  5. 1 Corinthians 16:15 Lit it is
  6. 1 Corinthians 16:15 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  7. 1 Corinthians 16:17 Or presence
  8. 1 Corinthians 16:17 Or made up for your absence
  9. 1 Corinthians 16:19 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
  10. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Gr anathema
  11. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Aramaic [Our] Lord, come!

Concerning the Collection for the Saints

16 Now concerning the collection for the saints, you should follow the directions I gave to the churches in Galatia. After the Sabbath ends,[a] each of you should set aside and save something from your surplus in proportion to what you have, so that no collections will have to be made when I arrive. When I arrive, I will send letters along with the men you approve to take your gift to Jerusalem. If it is worthwhile for me to go, too, they can go with me.

Plans for Travel

I will visit you when I go through Macedonia—for I intend to go through Macedonia— and will probably stay with you for a while[b] or even spend the winter with you.[c] Then you can send me on my way, wherever I decide to go. I do not want to visit with you now just in passing, because I hope to spend a longer time with you if the Lord permits. However, I’ll stay on in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a door has opened wide for me to do effective work, although many people are opposing me.

10 If Timothy comes, see to it that he does not have anything to be afraid of while he is with you, for he is doing the Lord’s work as I am. 11 Therefore, no one should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may come to me, because I am expecting him along with the brothers.

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other[d] brothers, but he was not inclined to do so just now. However, he will visit you[e] when the time is right.

Final Instructions

13 Remain alert. Keep standing firm in your faith. Keep on being courageous and strong. 14 Everything you do should be done lovingly. 15 Now I urge you, brothers—for you know that the members of the family of Stephanas were the first converts[f] in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to serving the saints— 16 to submit yourselves to people like these and to anyone else who shares their labor and hard work. 17 I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came here, because what was lacking they have supplied through you. 18 They refreshed my spirit—and yours, too. Therefore, appreciate men like that.

Final Greetings

19 The churches in Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca[g] and the church in their house greet you warmly in union with the Lord. 20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.[h] 21 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand.

22 If anyone doesn’t love the Lord,
    let him be anathema![i]
        Marana tha![j]

23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you!
24 May my love remain[k] with all of you
    in union with the Messiah[l] Jesus.[m]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:2 Or On the first day of the week
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:6 The Gk. lacks for a while
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:6 The Gk. lacks with you
  4. 1 Corinthians 16:12 The Gk. lacks other
  5. 1 Corinthians 16:12 The Gk. lacks you
  6. 1 Corinthians 16:15 Lit. the first fruits
  7. 1 Corinthians 16:19 I.e. Priscilla
  8. 1 Corinthians 16:20 People customarily greeted their friends with a kiss.
  9. 1 Corinthians 16:22 This term means eternally condemned
  10. 1 Corinthians 16:22 This Aram. sentence means May our Lord come!
  11. 1 Corinthians 16:24 Or My love is
  12. 1 Corinthians 16:24 Or Christ
  13. 1 Corinthians 16:24 Other mss. read Jesus. Amen