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29 So the disciples determined that, according to ability,(A) each should send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea. 30 [a]This they did, sending it to the presbyters in care of Barnabas and Saul.

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Footnotes

  1. 11:30 Presbyters: this is the same Greek word that elsewhere is translated “elders,” primarily in reference to the Jewish community.

29 The disciples,(A) as each one was able, decided to provide help(B) for the brothers and sisters(C) living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders(D) by Barnabas(E) and Saul.(F)

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25 [a]Now, however, I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the holy ones.(A) 26 For Macedonia and Achaia[b] have decided to make some contribution for the poor among the holy ones in Jerusalem;(B) 27 they decided to do it, and in fact they are indebted to them, for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to serve them in material blessings.(C) 28 So when I have completed this and safely handed over this contribution to them, I shall set out by way of you to Spain;

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Footnotes

  1. 15:25–27 Paul may have viewed the contribution he was gathering from Gentile Christians for the poor in Jerusalem (cf. 2 Cor 8–9) as a fulfillment of the vision of Is 60:5–6. In confidence that the messianic fulfillment was taking place, Paul stresses in Rom 14–16 the importance of harmonious relationships between Jews and Gentiles.
  2. 15:26 Achaia: the Roman province of southern Greece.

25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem(A) in the service(B) of the Lord’s people(C) there. 26 For Macedonia(D) and Achaia(E) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.(F) 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.(G) 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain(H) and visit you on the way.

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VI. Conclusion

Chapter 16

The Collection.[a] Now in regard to the collection[b] for the holy ones, you also should do as I ordered the churches of Galatia.(A) On the first day of the week each of you should set aside and save whatever he can afford, so that collections will not be going on when I come. And when I arrive, I shall send those whom you have approved with letters of recommendation to take your gracious gift to Jerusalem. If it seems fitting that I should go also,[c] they will go with me.

Paul’s Travel Plans.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. 16:1–4 This paragraph contains our earliest evidence for a project that became a major undertaking of Paul’s ministry. The collection for the church at Jerusalem was a symbol in his mind for the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christianity. Cf. Gal 2:10; Rom 15:25–29; 2 Cor 8–9 and the notes to this last passage.
  2. 16:1 In regard to the collection: it has already begun in Galatia and Macedonia (cf. 2 Cor 8), and presumably he has already instructed the Corinthians about its purpose.
  3. 16:4 That I should go also: presumably Paul delivered the collection on his final visit to Jerusalem; cf. Rom 15:25–32; Acts 24:14.
  4. 16:5–12 The travel plans outlined here may not have materialized precisely as Paul intended; cf. 2 Cor 1:8–2:13; 7:4–16.

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.

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[a](A)For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

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Footnotes

  1. 8:9 The dialectic of Jesus’ experience, expressed earlier in terms of life and death (2 Cor 5:15), sin and righteousness (2 Cor 5:21), is now rephrased in terms of poverty and wealth. Many scholars think this is a reference to Jesus’ preexistence with God (his “wealth”) and to his incarnation and death (his “poverty”), and they point to the similarity between this verse and Phil 2:6–8. Others interpret the wealth and poverty as succeeding phases of Jesus’ earthly existence, e.g., his sense of intimacy with God and then the desolation and the feeling of abandonment by God in his death (cf. Mk 15:34).

For you know the grace(A) of our Lord Jesus Christ,(B) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,(C) so that you through his poverty might become rich.(D)

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