New Testament in a Year

VIII: Final Recommendations and Greetings^[a]

Chapter 16

The Collection. ¹ Now in regard to the collection for the saints,^[b] you should follow the instructions I gave to the churches of Galatia. ² On the first day of every week,^[c] each of you should set aside and save whatever you can spare, so that when I come to you, no collections will have to be taken. ³ And when I arrive, I shall send those who have been approved by you with letters of recommendation to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems advisable that I should also go, they will accompany me.

Paul’s Plans. ⁵ I shall come to visit you after passing through Macedonia—for I am going to pass through Macedonia. ⁶ I may stay for some time with you, perhaps even for the entire winter, and then you can send me forth on my journey, wherever I may be going. ⁷ I do not want to see you now in passing. If the Lord permits, I hope to spend some time with you. ⁸ However, I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, ⁹ because a wide door for productive work has been opened for me, although there are also many adversaries to face.

¹⁰ News of Other Missionaries. If Timothy comes, put him at ease, for he is doing the work of the Lord just as I am. ¹¹ Therefore, let no one treat him with disdain. Rather, send him on his way in peace when he leaves you to come to me, for the brethren and I are expecting him.

¹² As for our brother Apollos, I urged him strongly to visit you with the others, but he was determined not to go at this particular time. He will come to you when he has the opportunity.

¹³ Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Everything that you do should be done in love.

¹⁵ As you know, brethren, the members of the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. ¹⁶ I urge you to put yourselves at the service of such people and of all those who work and toil with them.

¹⁷ I was delighted at the arrival of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence. ¹⁸ For they have raised my spirits as well as yours. Such men deserve recognition.

¹⁹ Salutations and Best Wishes. The Churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the Church that meets in their house. ²⁰ All the brethren send their greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹ I, Paul, have written this greeting with my own hand. ²² If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed.^[d] O Lord, come! ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. ²⁴ My love to you all in Christ Jesus.