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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

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection(A) for the Lord’s people:(B) Do what I told the Galatian(C) churches to do. On the first day of every week,(D) each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.(E) Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve(F) and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Personal Requests

After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you(G)—for I will be going through Macedonia.(H) Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey,(I) wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.(J) But I will stay on at Ephesus(K) until Pentecost,(L) because a great door for effective work has opened to me,(M) and there are many who oppose me.

10 When Timothy(N) comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord,(O) just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt.(P) Send him on his way(Q) in peace(R) so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

12 Now about our brother Apollos:(S) I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

13 Be on your guard; stand firm(T) in the faith; be courageous; be strong.(U) 14 Do everything in love.(V)

15 You know that the household of Stephanas(W) were the first converts(X) in Achaia,(Y) and they have devoted themselves to the service(Z) of the Lord’s people.(AA) I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit(AB) to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.(AC) 18 For they refreshed(AD) my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.(AE)

Final Greetings

19 The churches in the province of Asia(AF) send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla[a](AG) greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.(AH) 20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.(AI)

21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(AJ)

22 If anyone does not love the Lord,(AK) let that person be cursed!(AL) Come, Lord[b]!(AM)

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.(AN)

24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.[c]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:22 The Greek for Come, Lord reproduces an Aramaic expression (Marana tha) used by early Christians.
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:24 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.