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1 Corinthians 16

KJV · Chapter 16/16

1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

3And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

4And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

5Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

6And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

7For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

8But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

9For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

10Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

11Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

12As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

14Let all your things be done with charity.

15I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

16That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

17I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

18For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

19The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

20All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

21The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

22If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha.

23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

24My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timotheus.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

Paul gives practical instructions about a collection of money to help the poor Christians of Jerusalem, speaks of his travel plans, and recommends several fellow workers. The letter closes with final greetings and a blessing.

Explanation

This final chapter is more administrative, but it reveals how Paul cared for both deep theological matters and concrete practical needs, such as gathering resources for those in need. The suggested arrangement — setting aside weekly an amount proportional to one's earnings — is one of the earliest biblical examples of systematic planning for generosity. Paul also expresses genuine affection for co-workers like Timothy and Apollos, and asks the church to receive them well, showing a model of teamwork in Christian ministry. The closing Aramaic expression, 'maranatha' ('Come, Lord'), reflects the living hope of Christ's return that sustained the early church. Today's practical application includes both planned generosity and care in honoring and supporting those who serve in God's work.

Fun facts

  • The Aramaic expression 'maranatha' (v. 22) is one of the very few Aramaic words preserved in the middle of a Greek text in the New Testament, showing how important this prayer of expectation for Christ's return was — important enough to cross the language barrier.
  • The collection for the 'saints' in Jerusalem mentioned here is the same one Paul details more extensively in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, revealing how this project of mutual aid between churches in different regions occupied years of the apostle's ministry.

Verse-by-verse explanation

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:1Paul shifts to the letter’s practical closing: he asks the Corinthians to take part in the collection of money for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, following the same model already given to the churches of Galatia.
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:2Setting money aside “upon the first day of the week” shows that Christians were already meeting on that day, Sunday, the day of the resurrection, and using the gathering to set the offering aside gradually, instead of collecting it all at the last minute when Paul arrived.
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:3The collection was money gathered by the Gentile churches to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem. Paul asks that each church choose trustworthy representatives, with letters of recommendation, to carry the money there safely, since traveling alone with money was risky.
  4. 1 Corinthians 16:4If the amount raised is large enough to justify it, Paul offers to personally accompany the representatives who will carry the offering to Jerusalem.
  5. 1 Corinthians 16:5Paul plans to visit Corinth after passing through Macedonia, a region already on his missionary travel route.
  6. 1 Corinthians 16:6He considers the possibility of spending the winter in Corinth, a season when sea travel became more dangerous, counting on their help to continue the journey afterward.
  7. 1 Corinthians 16:7Explains why he doesn’t want just a quick passing visit: he’d rather stay longer with them, if God allows it, instead of a short, shallow stop.
  8. 1 Corinthians 16:8For now, Paul says he’ll stay on in Ephesus, from where he probably writes the letter, until the Jewish feast of Pentecost.
  9. 1 Corinthians 16:9Justifies staying in Ephesus: there’s a great and important opportunity for preaching there, even with considerable opposition — work he doesn’t want to abandon halfway through.
  10. 1 Corinthians 16:10Asks that when Timothy arrives in Corinth, he be received without hostility, since he does the same work for the Lord that Paul does — probably a young coworker who could face resistance there.
  11. 1 Corinthians 16:11Reinforces the request: that no one treat Timothy with contempt, and that they help him journey back in peace, because Paul is waiting for him along with other brothers.
  12. 1 Corinthians 16:12Explains that he strongly urged Apollos, the same preacher mentioned in the factions of chapter 1, to visit Corinth, but he chose not to go right now — Apollos’s own decision, not Paul refusing him.
  13. 1 Corinthians 16:13A series of short commands before closing the letter: watch, stand firm in the faith, act with courage, be strong — a practical summary of everything the letter has asked.
  14. 1 Corinthians 16:14Sums it all up with a single principle: that everything the Corinthian church does, after so many corrections, be done with love — echoing chapter 13 directly.
  15. 1 Corinthians 16:15“The firstfruits of Achaia” calls Stephanas’s household the first converts of that region. Paul asks the church to recognize the natural leadership of those who had already been serving longer.
  16. 1 Corinthians 16:16Asks the church to submit to Stephanas and others like him (named in the next verse), who devoted themselves to serving the community — recognition of leadership through effort, not status.
  17. 1 Corinthians 16:17Paul is glad about the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, probably the messengers who carried the Corinthians’ letter to him, supplying the contact that distance didn’t allow.
  18. 1 Corinthians 16:18These three brought relief both to Paul and, indirectly, to the Corinthians themselves — which is why he asks the church to recognize and value people like them.
  19. 1 Corinthians 16:19Brings greetings from other churches in the region of Asia, including the couple Aquila and Priscilla, close coworkers of Paul, and the church that met in their house.
  20. 1 Corinthians 16:20The “holy kiss” was a greeting exchanged between fellow believers, a common custom of greeting at the time, without the romantic weight the word “kiss” carries today.
  21. 1 Corinthians 16:21Paul usually dictated his letters to a scribe, but he signs this final greeting in his own handwriting — a mark of authenticity to confirm the letter is truly his.
  22. 1 Corinthians 16:22“Anathema” is a solemn curse of exclusion, and “Maranatha” is an Aramaic expression meaning “the Lord is coming” or “come, Lord.” Paul ends the letter with these two strong words, reminding them that commitment to Christ is serious, and that He is coming back.
  23. 1 Corinthians 16:23The closing formula of Paul’s letters: he asks that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with the Corinthians, ending in blessing after so many hard corrections.
  24. 1 Corinthians 16:24The letter’s final line: despite all the rebuke throughout the 16 chapters, Paul ends by affirming his love for all of them in Christ Jesus.

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