1 Corinthians 16
New Living Translation
The Collection for Jerusalem
16 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. 3 When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. 4 And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.
Paul’s Final Instructions
5 I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia,[a] for I am planning to travel through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination. 7 This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me. 8 In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. 9 There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.
10 When Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. 11 Don’t let anyone treat him with contempt. Send him on his way with your blessing when he returns to me. I expect him to come with the other believers.[b]
12 Now about our brother Apollos—I urged him to visit you with the other believers, but he was not willing to go right now. He will see you later when he has the opportunity.
13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.[c] Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.
15 You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece,[d] and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters,[e] 16 to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion. 17 I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren’t here to give me. 18 They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.
Paul’s Final Greetings
19 The churches here in the province of Asia[f] send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla[g] and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send greetings to you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss.
21 HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come![h]
23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.[i]
Footnotes
- 16:5 Macedonia was in the northern region of Greece.
- 16:11 Greek with the brothers; also in 16:12.
- 16:13 Greek Be men.
- 16:15a Greek in Achaia, the southern region of the Greek peninsula.
- 16:15b Greek brothers; also in 16:20.
- 16:19a Asia was a Roman province in what is now western Turkey.
- 16:19b Greek Prisca.
- 16:22 From Aramaic, Marana tha. Some manuscripts read Maran atha, “Our Lord has come.”
- 16:24 Some manuscripts add Amen.
1 Corinthians 16
International Standard Version
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. 2 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. 3 When I arrive, I will send letters along with the men you approve to take your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it is worthwhile for me to go, too, they can go with me.
Plans for Travel
5 I will visit you when I go through Macedonia—for I intend to go through Macedonia— 6 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. 7 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. 8 However, I’ll stay on in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 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.
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 Corinthians 16:2 Or On the first day of the week
- 1 Corinthians 16:6 The Gk. lacks for a while
- 1 Corinthians 16:6 The Gk. lacks with you
- 1 Corinthians 16:12 The Gk. lacks other
- 1 Corinthians 16:12 The Gk. lacks you
- 1 Corinthians 16:15 Lit. the first fruits
- 1 Corinthians 16:19 I.e. Priscilla
- 1 Corinthians 16:20 People customarily greeted their friends with a kiss.
- 1 Corinthians 16:22 This term means eternally condemned
- 1 Corinthians 16:22 This Aram. sentence means May our Lord come!
- 1 Corinthians 16:24 Or My love is
- 1 Corinthians 16:24 Or Christ
- 1 Corinthians 16:24 Other mss. read Jesus. Amen
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