New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Corinthians 16
1
Now I want to deal with the offering of money for God's people. Do what I told the churches in Galatia to do.
Reference
2
On the first day of every week, each of you should put some money away. The amount should be in keeping with how much money you make. Save the money so that you won't have to take up an offering when I come.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 20:7
Luke 16:10
Revelation 1:10
John 20:19
Luke 24:1
References God
Deuteronomy 8:18
3
When I arrive, I will send some people with your gift to Jerusalem. They will be people you consider to be good. And I will give them letters that explain who they are.
4
If it seems good for me to go also, they will go with me.
5
After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you. I will only be passing through Macedonia.
Reference
6
But I might stay with you for a while. I might even spend the winter. Then you can help me on my journey everywhere I go.
Reference
7
I don't want to see you now while I am just passing through. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows it.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 18:21
Romans 1:10
2 Corinthians 1:15
References Lord
1 Corinthians 4:19
James 4:15
Proverbs 19:21
Jeremiah 10:23
9
A door has opened wide for me to do some good work here. There are many people who oppose me.
Reference
10
Timothy might come to you. Make sure he has nothing to worry about while he is with you. He is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 16:21
1 Thessalonians 3:2
References Lord
1 Corinthians 15:58
1 Corinthians 4:17
11
No one should refuse to accept him. Send him safely on his way so he can return to me. I'm expecting him to come back along with the others.
Reference
12
I want to say something about our brother Apollos. I tried my best to get him to go to you with the others. But he didn't want to go right now. He will go when he can.
Reference
15
You know that the first believers in Achaia were from the family of Stephanas. They have spent all their time serving God's people. Brothers and sisters, I am asking you
Reference
16
to follow the lead of people like them. Follow everyone who joins in the task and works hard at it.
Reference
17
I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived. They have supplied me with what you couldn't give me.
Reference
People
19
The churches in Asia Minor send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly because of the Lord's love. So does the church that meets in their house.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 18:2
20
All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Reference
22
If anyone does not love the Lord, let a curse be on that person! Come, Lord!
Reference
Love
Ephesians 6:24
John 14:21
1 John 4:19
1 John 5:1
Matthew 10:37
John 8:42
Hebrews 6:10
Parallel theme
1 Peter 2:7
References Christ
Romans 9:3
References Jesus
Revelation 22:20
Summary of 1 Corinthians 16
1 Corinthians 16 brings Paul's long letter to a practical conclusion by addressing financial generosity, travel plans, ministry opportunities, Christian leadership, mutual respect, hospitality, spiritual strength, and love, showing that the teachings of the earlier chapters were meant to shape the Corinthians' everyday decisions and relationships.
Paul begins by organizing a collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem, asking each Christian to set aside money regularly according to what they have received, which demonstrates that Christian generosity should be planned, consistent, responsible, and directed toward helping believers in need rather than being treated as an occasional emotional response.
He then explains his travel plans, including his intention to pass through Macedonia and spend meaningful time in Corinth, while remaining in Ephesus because a large opportunity for ministry has opened there even though strong opposition exists, demonstrating that difficult circumstances do not automatically mean that an important opportunity for serving God should be abandoned.
Paul also asks the Corinthians to receive Timothy respectfully and encourages them to cooperate with faithful Christian workers such as Stephanas and his household, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, showing that healthy churches depend not only on gifted teachers but also on people who quietly provide practical service, encouragement, hospitality, and leadership.
His short commands to stay alert, stand firmly in the faith, act courageously, become strong, and do everything in love provide a concise summary of the kind of Christian character he wants the Corinthians to develop after receiving all the correction contained in the letter.
The chapter closes with greetings from Christians in other places, including the church meeting in the home of Aquila and Priscilla, reminding the Corinthians that they belong to a much larger Christian family that stretches across different cities and cultures.
Paul's final words are especially meaningful because, after spending the letter correcting serious problems, he still expresses his love for the Corinthians in Christ, showing that biblical correction is not meant to destroy relationships but to help believers become healthier, more faithful, more mature, and more loving.
The central message of 1 Corinthians 16 is that Christian faith must become practical through generous giving, faithful service, responsible leadership, mutual respect, courage, hospitality, and love, because spiritual maturity is demonstrated not only by what believers believe but also by how they treat people and how they use what God has given them.
Paul's teaching about the collection for Jerusalem shows that generosity should be intentional and organized.
Rather than waiting until he arrives and asking people to give suddenly, Paul wants each believer to prepare regularly according to their ability.
This creates a picture of Christian giving that is thoughtful rather than pressured.
The money was intended to help believers in Jerusalem who were experiencing need, and the collection also had a deeper purpose because it demonstrated unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
Paul's travel plans also show that ministry requires planning and flexibility.
He has plans to visit Corinth, remain in Ephesus, travel through Macedonia, and possibly spend the winter with the Corinthians, but he repeatedly places these plans under God's will.
His statement about the open opportunity in Ephesus is especially important because opportunity and opposition can exist at the same time.
A difficult environment does not necessarily mean that God is not working.
Paul's instructions concerning Timothy and other Christian workers demonstrate the importance of respecting faithful servants.
Timothy was younger and may have lacked Paul's authority and experience, so Paul asks the Corinthians to make sure that he is treated well.
Stephanas and his household are praised because they devoted themselves to serving other believers, showing that Christian leadership is not primarily about status but about service.
Paul's command to "stand firm" and "be strong" does not encourage aggressive behavior or personal pride.
Instead, the Corinthians are called to remain faithful when surrounded by confusion, temptation, disagreement, and opposition.
Yet Paul immediately balances strength with love by saying that everything should be done in love.
This connects chapter 16 directly with chapter 13.
Christian strength without love can become harshness.
Christian knowledge without love can become pride.
Christian leadership without love can become control.
Christian freedom without love can become selfishness.
Christian service without love can become a search for recognition.
The final greetings also reveal something important about the early church: Christianity was not simply a collection of isolated individuals.
Believers gathered in homes, traveled between churches, supported missionaries, welcomed visitors, shared resources, and maintained relationships across cities.
Aquila and Priscilla's house church is one example of how Christians gathered before purpose-built church buildings became common.
Finally, Paul's closing words show that correction and love can exist together.
He has confronted the Corinthians about division, sexual immorality, lawsuits, marriage, food offered to idols, worship, spiritual gifts, the Lord's Supper, and resurrection, yet he still describes them as people he loves in Christ.
This gives the chapter and the entire letter an important conclusion: Christian maturity means becoming a community where truth, generosity, courage, service, order, responsibility, and love work together rather than competing with one another.
Paul begins by organizing a collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem, asking each Christian to set aside money regularly according to what they have received, which demonstrates that Christian generosity should be planned, consistent, responsible, and directed toward helping believers in need rather than being treated as an occasional emotional response.
He then explains his travel plans, including his intention to pass through Macedonia and spend meaningful time in Corinth, while remaining in Ephesus because a large opportunity for ministry has opened there even though strong opposition exists, demonstrating that difficult circumstances do not automatically mean that an important opportunity for serving God should be abandoned.
Paul also asks the Corinthians to receive Timothy respectfully and encourages them to cooperate with faithful Christian workers such as Stephanas and his household, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, showing that healthy churches depend not only on gifted teachers but also on people who quietly provide practical service, encouragement, hospitality, and leadership.
His short commands to stay alert, stand firmly in the faith, act courageously, become strong, and do everything in love provide a concise summary of the kind of Christian character he wants the Corinthians to develop after receiving all the correction contained in the letter.
The chapter closes with greetings from Christians in other places, including the church meeting in the home of Aquila and Priscilla, reminding the Corinthians that they belong to a much larger Christian family that stretches across different cities and cultures.
Paul's final words are especially meaningful because, after spending the letter correcting serious problems, he still expresses his love for the Corinthians in Christ, showing that biblical correction is not meant to destroy relationships but to help believers become healthier, more faithful, more mature, and more loving.
The central message of 1 Corinthians 16 is that Christian faith must become practical through generous giving, faithful service, responsible leadership, mutual respect, courage, hospitality, and love, because spiritual maturity is demonstrated not only by what believers believe but also by how they treat people and how they use what God has given them.
Paul's teaching about the collection for Jerusalem shows that generosity should be intentional and organized.
Rather than waiting until he arrives and asking people to give suddenly, Paul wants each believer to prepare regularly according to their ability.
This creates a picture of Christian giving that is thoughtful rather than pressured.
The money was intended to help believers in Jerusalem who were experiencing need, and the collection also had a deeper purpose because it demonstrated unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
Paul's travel plans also show that ministry requires planning and flexibility.
He has plans to visit Corinth, remain in Ephesus, travel through Macedonia, and possibly spend the winter with the Corinthians, but he repeatedly places these plans under God's will.
His statement about the open opportunity in Ephesus is especially important because opportunity and opposition can exist at the same time.
A difficult environment does not necessarily mean that God is not working.
Paul's instructions concerning Timothy and other Christian workers demonstrate the importance of respecting faithful servants.
Timothy was younger and may have lacked Paul's authority and experience, so Paul asks the Corinthians to make sure that he is treated well.
Stephanas and his household are praised because they devoted themselves to serving other believers, showing that Christian leadership is not primarily about status but about service.
Paul's command to "stand firm" and "be strong" does not encourage aggressive behavior or personal pride.
Instead, the Corinthians are called to remain faithful when surrounded by confusion, temptation, disagreement, and opposition.
Yet Paul immediately balances strength with love by saying that everything should be done in love.
This connects chapter 16 directly with chapter 13.
Christian strength without love can become harshness.
Christian knowledge without love can become pride.
Christian leadership without love can become control.
Christian freedom without love can become selfishness.
Christian service without love can become a search for recognition.
The final greetings also reveal something important about the early church: Christianity was not simply a collection of isolated individuals.
Believers gathered in homes, traveled between churches, supported missionaries, welcomed visitors, shared resources, and maintained relationships across cities.
Aquila and Priscilla's house church is one example of how Christians gathered before purpose-built church buildings became common.
Finally, Paul's closing words show that correction and love can exist together.
He has confronted the Corinthians about division, sexual immorality, lawsuits, marriage, food offered to idols, worship, spiritual gifts, the Lord's Supper, and resurrection, yet he still describes them as people he loves in Christ.
This gives the chapter and the entire letter an important conclusion: Christian maturity means becoming a community where truth, generosity, courage, service, order, responsibility, and love work together rather than competing with one another.