The big picture
1 Corinthians 16 opens in verse 1 with “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 12 with “As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the…”, and closes in verse 24 with “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” Repeated or prominent terms include Lord, brethren, Christ, Jesus, churches. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Corinthians · King James Version · 241 Corinthians 16:1-8
1–8: Concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the…
1 Corinthians 16:1–8 opens with “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia…” and reaches “But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers setting aside a collection, Paul planning travel, and Stephanas’s household serving the saints, with particular weight carried by Macedonia, tarry, abide.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.” Naming Galatia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
1 Corinthians 16:1-8
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.
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.
1 Corinthians 16:9-16
9–16: For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many…
1 Corinthians 16:9–16 opens with “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” and reaches “That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers setting aside a collection, Paul planning travel, and Stephanas’s household serving the saints, with particular weight carried by brethren, time, Achaia.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with…” The line’s distinctive content terms include brethren, conduct, despise. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.
1 Corinthians 16:9-16
King James Version9For 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.
1 Corinthians 16:17-24
17–24: I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for…
1 Corinthians 16:17–24 opens with “I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on…” and reaches “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers setting aside a collection, Paul planning travel, and Stephanas’s household serving the saints, with particular weight carried by Christ, Jesus, Lord.
Context that brings the passage to life
“I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have…” Naming Achaicus and Fortunatus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Corinthians 16:17-24
King James Version17I 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 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.
Whose perspective receives unexpected attention?
Hagar's. The messenger finds her, names her and speaks about her future.
What does Ishmael's name commemorate?
God has heard her affliction, according to verse 11.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.