The big picture
Paul, a messenger of Jesus Christ, closes his letter to the church in Corinth, a Greek city. Plans for money, travel, and visits bring the letter's teaching into daily shared life. Gifts need care, visiting workers need welcome, and trusted servants deserve respect. Paul hopes to spend time with the church, but his plans remain subject to the Lord. Firm faith and love belong together. Greetings from other believers widen the view beyond this one gathering.
In this chapter
- Set Aside the Gift in Advance 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Paul gives Corinth the same plan he gave churches in Galatia, a region with other believers.
- An Open Door Comes with Opposition 1 Corinthians 16:5-9
Paul plans to pass through Macedonia, a region to the north, before coming to Corinth.
- Welcome Workers Without Treating Them with Scorn 1 Corinthians 16:10-12
If Timotheus comes, he is to be welcomed without fear.
- Courage and Service Belong with Love 1 Corinthians 16:13-18
Corinth must stay alert, hold firm in faith, and act with courage and strength.
- Affection Closes a Serious Letter 1 Corinthians 16:19-24
Churches in Asia, a nearby region, send greetings.
Central truth
The church expresses firm faith through planned giving, welcome for fellow workers, respect for service, and love in every action.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Corinthians · King James Version · 241 Corinthians 16:1-4
Set Aside the Gift in Advance
Paul gives Corinth the same plan he gave churches in Galatia, a region with other believers. Each person is to set aside money on the first day of the week, in line with means. This avoids a rushed collection when Paul arrives. The church will approve people to carry its gift to Jerusalem, the city where fellow believers need support. Letters will go with those chosen. Paul will join them if that proves fitting. Generosity is paired with steady preparation and people the givers themselves can trust.
In everyday life
A neighbourhood treasurer asks households to save a small weekly share for a family rebuilding after a fire. Two people chosen by the donors carry the completed gift with a written record. Planning keeps the help from depending on a last-minute appeal. Paul's collection joins distant churches in care for fellow believers, with an agreed means of delivery.
Notice
1 Corinthians 16:3 The Corinthians approve those who carry their gift. Paul gives the church a role in choosing trusted messengers rather than claiming sole control of its money.
1 Corinthians 16:1-4
King James Version1Now 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.
1 Corinthians 16:5-9
An Open Door Comes with Opposition
Paul plans to pass through Macedonia, a region to the north, before coming to Corinth. He hopes for more than a brief stop, perhaps a whole winter. The church can then help him on his next stage of travel. All of this depends on the Lord's permission. For now he remains in Ephesus, another city, until Pentecost, a Jewish feast. A wide door for useful work stands open there, but many people oppose him. Opportunity and resistance sit together; the presence of enemies does not by itself mean he should leave.
In everyday life
A language teacher extends her stay at a remote school because pupils are beginning to read, despite sharp local resistance. She tells the next host that she hopes for a longer visit later instead of a rushed stop now. Both need and opposition shape her plans. Paul's decision concerns the Lord's work and depends on the Lord's permission.
Notice
1 Corinthians 16:9 The open door and the many opponents appear in the same verse. Paul sees fruitful work without assuming that its path must therefore be free of conflict.
1 Corinthians 16:5-9
King James Version5Now 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.
1 Corinthians 16:10-12
Welcome Workers Without Treating Them with Scorn
If Timotheus comes, he is to be welcomed without fear. He is Paul's fellow worker. He does the Lord's work, as Paul does, and nobody should look down on him. The church is to send him onward in peace so he can return to Paul with other believers. Apollos, another teacher, has also been urged to visit. He does not wish to come now but intends to come when the time fits. Paul can press for a visit without pretending that every coworker's plans are his to command.
In everyday life
A senior researcher sends a younger colleague to present shared work. She asks the hosts to give her a fair hearing. They are not to use her lower rank as grounds for contempt. Another colleague declines the same date and is allowed to arrange a later visit. Paul's workers deserve welcome because they serve the Lord, not because of academic standing.
Notice
1 Corinthians 16:12 Paul reports Apollos's different decision without denouncing him. The shared work leaves room for coworkers to judge the timing of a visit differently.
1 Corinthians 16:10-12
King James Version10Now 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.
1 Corinthians 16:13-18
Courage and Service Belong with Love
Corinth must stay alert, hold firm in faith, and act with courage and strength. Love must govern all of it. Paul points to Stephanas and his household, early believers in Achaia, the region containing Corinth. They have devoted themselves to serving fellow believers. Such workers deserve respect and willing cooperation. Stephanas has come with Fortunatus and Achaicus, two companions, and together they have supplied what the absent church could not. Their care refreshes Paul and the Corinthians alike. He asks that people who serve in this way be recognised.
In everyday life
A sports captain notices that three quiet volunteers repair kit, arrange lifts, and check on injured players. She asks the team to respect their lead when practical help is needed. Courage on the field does not excuse contempt for those who keep serving. Paul joins strength with love and honours care within Christ's church rather than sporting success.
Notice
1 Corinthians 16:14 Love governs all their actions, including those marked by courage and strength. Paul does not offer strength as an excuse to treat others harshly.
1 Corinthians 16:13-18
King James Version13Watch 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.
1 Corinthians 16:19-24
Affection Closes a Serious Letter
Churches in Asia, a nearby region, send greetings. Aquila and Priscilla, fellow believers who host a church in their house, add theirs. The Corinthians are to greet one another with a holy kiss, a sign of family-like affection. Paul adds a greeting in his own hand. He gives a grave warning against failing to love the Lord Jesus Christ, followed by words commonly understood as a plea for the Lord to come. The letter ends with Christ's grace and Paul's love for them all. Its hard corrections have not erased that bond.
In everyday life
A guardian closes a firm letter about broken trust by naming the child's lasting place in the family. She does not withdraw the hard words, but she also refuses to let them become the whole message. Affection remains explicit at the end. Paul's close adds a warning about love for Christ and a blessing grounded in Christ's grace.
Notice
1 Corinthians 16:24 Paul's final expression of love includes them all. The church's faults have required strong correction, yet he does not close by withdrawing his affection.
1 Corinthians 16:19-24
King James Version19The 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 Maranatha.
23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Corinthians 16:1 begins with “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.”
Where the chapter turns
1 Corinthians 16:10 forms a natural hinge: “Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.”
The final note
1 Corinthians 16:24 leaves the reader with “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Lord, brethren, Christ, Jesus, churches, greet help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- liberality
- A freely given gift or generous support for others.
- tarry
- To stay or remain in a place for a time.
- quit you like men
- Act with courage and maturity rather than fear.
Music and video connected to the passage
No exact media match is cataloged for this passage yet. New material can be connected when it becomes available.