1 Corinthians 16
1 NOW CONCERNING the money contributed for [the relief of] the saints (God’s people): you are to do the same as I directed the churches of Galatia to do.2 On the first [day] of each week, let each one of you [personally] put aside something and save it up as he has prospered [in proportion to what he is given], so that no collections will need to be taken after I come.3 And when I arrive, I will send on those whom you approve and authorize with credentials to carry your gift [of charity] to Jerusalem.4 If it seems worthwhile that I should go too, they will accompany me.5 After passing through Macedonia, I will visit you, for I intend [only] to pass through Macedonia;6 But it may be that I will stay with you [for a while], perhaps even spend the winter, so that you may bring me forward [on my journey] to wherever I may go.7 For I am unwilling to see you right now [just] in passing, but I hope later to remain for some time with you, if the Lord permits.8 I will remain in Ephesus [however] until Pentecost,9 For a wide door of opportunity for effectual [service] has opened to me [there, a great and promising one], and [there are] many adversaries.10 When Timothy arrives, see to it that [you put him at ease, so that] he may be fearless among you, for he is [devotedly] doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.11 So [see to it that] no one despises him or treats him as if he were of no account or slights him. But send him off [cordially, speed him on his way] in peace, that he may come to me, for I am expecting him [to come along] with the other brethren.12 As for our brother Apollos, I have urgently encouraged him to visit you with the other brethren, but it was not at all his will or God’s will that he should go now. He will come when he has opportunity.13 Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength! 14 Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for us).15 Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts and our firstfruits in Achaia (most of Greece), and how they have consecrated and devoted themselves to the service of the saints (God’s people).16 I urge you to pay all deference to such leaders and to enlist under them and be subject to them, as well as to everyone who joins and cooperates [with you] and labors earnestly.17 I am happy because Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus have come [to me], for they have made up for your absence.18 For they gave me respite from labor and rested me and refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Deeply appreciate and thoroughly know and fully recognize such men.19 The churches of Asia send greetings and best wishes. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church [that meets] in their house, send you their hearty greetings in the Lord.20 All the brethren wish to be remembered to you and wish you well. Greet one another with a holy kiss.21 I, Paul, [add this final] greeting with my own hand.22 If anyone does not love the Lord [does not have a friendly affection for Him and is not kindly disposed toward Him], he shall be accursed! Our Lord will come! (Maranatha!)23 The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.24 My love (that true love growing out of sincere devotion to God) be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen (so be it).
1 Corinthians 16
A Collection to Aid Jewish Christians
1 With regard to the collection for the saints, please follow the directions that I gave to the churches of Galatia:t2 On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside some incomet and savet it to the extent that God has blessed you,t so that a collection will not have to be madet when I come.3 Then, when I arrive, I will send those whom you approve with letters of explanation to carry your gift to Jerusalem.s
4 And if it seems advisable that I should go also, they will go with me.
Paul’s Plans to Visit
5 But I will come to you after I have gone through Macedonia – for I will be going through Macedonia –6 and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you can send me on my journey, wherever I go.7 For I do not want to see you now in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows.8 But I will stay in Ephesuss until Pentecost,
9 because a door of great opportunity stands wide open for me,t but there are many opponents.
10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I am too.
11 So then, let no one treat him with contempt. But send him on his way in peace so that he may come to me. For I am expecting him with the brothers.t
12 With regard to our brother Apollos: I strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers,t but it was simply not his intention to come now.t He will come when he has the opportunity.
Final Challenge and Blessing
13 Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong.
14 Everything you do should be done in love.
15 Now, brothers and sisters,t you know about the household of Stephanus, that as the first convertst of Achaia, they devoted themselves to ministry for the saints. I urge you16 also to submit to people like this, and to everyone who cooperates in the work and labors hard.17 I was glad about the arrival of Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus because they have supplied the fellowship with you that I lacked.t
18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. So then, recognize people like this.
19 The churches in the province of Asiat send greetings to you. Aquila and Priscas greets you warmly in the Lord, with the church that meets in their house.
20 All the brothers and sisterst send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, send this greeting with my own hand.
22 Let anyone who has no love for the Lord be accursed. Our Lord, come!t
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.s