1 Corinthians 16
16
A Collection for God's People
1 #
Ro 15.25,26. When you collect money for God's people, I want you to do exactly what I told the churches in Galatia to do. 2That is, each Sunday each of you must put aside part of what you have earned. If you do this, you won't have to take up a collection when I come. 3Choose some followers to take the money to Jerusalem. I will send them on with the money and with letters which show that you approve of them. 4If you think I should go along, they can go with me.
Paul's Travel Plans
5 #
Ac 19.21. After I have gone through Macedonia, I hope to see you 6and visit with you for a while. I may even stay all winter, so that you can help me on my way to wherever I will be going next. 7If the Lord lets me, I would rather come later for a longer visit than to stop off now for only a short visit. 8#Lv 23.15-21; Dt 16.9-11. #Ac 19.8-10. I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9because there is a wonderful opportunity for me to do some work here. But there are also many people who are against me.
10 #
1 Co 4.17. When Timothy arrives, give him a friendly welcome. He is doing the Lord's work, just as I am. 11Don't let anyone mistreat him. I am looking for him to return to me together with the other followers. So when he leaves, send him off with your blessings.
12I have tried hard to get our friend Apollos to visit you with the other followers. He doesn't want to come just now, but he will come when he can.
Personal Concerns and Greetings
13Keep alert. Be firm in your faith. Stay brave and strong. 14Show love in everything you do.
15 #
1 Co 1.16. You know that Stephanas and his family were the first in Achaia to have faith in the Lord. They have done all they can for God's people. My friends, I ask you 16to obey leaders like them and to do the same for all others who work hard with you.
17I was glad to see Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus. Having them here was like having you. 18They made me feel much better, just as they made you feel better. You should appreciate people like them.
19 #
Ac 18.2. Greetings from the churches in Asia.
Aquila and Priscilla, together with the church that meets in their house, send greetings in the name of the Lord.
20All the Lord's followers send their greetings.
Give each other a warm greeting.
21I am signing this letter myself: PAUL.
22I pray that God will put a curse on everyone who doesn't love the Lord. And may the Lord come soon.
23I pray the Lord Jesus will be kind to you.
24I love everyone who belongs to Christ Jesus.
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1 Corinthians 16: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
1 Corinthians 16
16
The Collection.#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. 1Now in regard to the collection#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. for the holy ones, you also should do as I ordered the churches of Galatia.#Acts 24:17; Rom 15:25–32; 2 Cor 8–9; Gal 2:10. 2On 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. 3And when I arrive, I shall send those whom you have approved with letters of recommendation to take your gracious gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems fitting that I should go also,#That I should go also: presumably Paul delivered the collection on his final visit to Jerusalem; cf. Rom 15:25–32; Acts 24:14. they will go with me.
Paul’s Travel Plans.#The travel plans outlined here may not have materialized precisely as Paul intended; cf. 2 Cor 1:8–2:13; 7:4–16. 5I shall come to you after I pass through Macedonia (for I am going to pass through Macedonia),#Acts 19:21; Rom 15:26; 2 Cor 1:15–16. 6and perhaps I shall stay or even spend the winter with you, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go. 7For I do not wish to see you now just in passing, but I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.#Acts 18:21. 8#In Ephesus until Pentecost: this tells us the place from which he wrote the letter and suggests he may have composed it about Easter time (cf. 1 Cor 5:7–8). I shall stay in Ephesus#15:32; Acts 18:19; 19:1–10. until Pentecost, 9because a door has opened for me wide and productive for work, but there are many opponents.#Acts 14:27; 2 Cor 2:12.
10If Timothy comes, see that he is without fear in your company, for he is doing the work of the Lord just as I am.#4:17; Acts 16:1; 19:22; Phil 2:19–23. 11Therefore, no one should disdain him. Rather, send him on his way in peace that he may come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. 12Now in regard to our brother Apollos, I urged him strongly to go to you with the brothers, but it was not at all his will that he go now. He will go when he has an opportunity.#1:12; 3:4–6, 22; Acts 18:24–28.
Exhortation and Greetings. 13Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 14Your every act should be done with love.
15I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas#1:16. is the firstfruits of Achaia and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the holy ones— 16be subordinate to such people and to everyone who works and toils with them. 17I rejoice in the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they made up for your absence, 18for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So give recognition to such people.#1 Thes 5:12–13.
19#These paragraphs conform to the normal epistolary conclusion, but their language is overlaid with liturgical coloration as well. The greetings of the Asian churches are probably to be read, along with the letter, in the liturgy at Corinth, and the union of the church is to be expressed by a holy kiss (1 Cor 16:19–20). Paul adds to this his own greeting (1 Cor 16:21) and blessings (1 Cor 16:23–24). The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca together with the church at their house send you many greetings in the Lord.#Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Rom 16:3–5. 20All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.#Rom 16:16; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thes 5:26; 1 Pt 5:14.
21I, Paul, write you this greeting in my own hand.#Gal 6:11; Col 4:18; 2 Thes 3:17. 22If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed.#Accursed: literally, “anathema.” This expression (cf. 1 Cor 12:3) is a formula for exclusion from the community; it may imply here a call to self-examination before celebration of the Eucharist, in preparation for the Lord’s coming and judgment (cf. 1 Cor 11:17–34). Marana tha: an Aramaic expression, probably used in the early Christian liturgy. As understood here (“O Lord, come!”), it is a prayer for the early return of Christ. If the Aramaic words are divided differently (Maran atha, “Our Lord has come”), it becomes a credal declaration. The former interpretation is supported by what appears to be a Greek equivalent of this acclamation in Rev 22:20 “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Marana tha.#12:3; Rom 9:3; Gal 1:8–9; Rev 22:20. 23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.#Rom 16:20. 24My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.
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