1 Corinthians 16

General context

The last section opens "Now concerning the collection for the saints", with the same order already given "to the churches of Galatia": each is to "lay by him in store" on the first day of the week, "as God hath prospered him", so that nothing needs gathering when the writer arrives. Those the Corinthians approve "by your letters" will be sent "to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem", and he will travel with them if it is fitting. He will come after passing through Macedonia, may "winter with you", and hopes "to tarry a while with you", but "I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost", because "a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries". If Timotheus comes they are to see that he is "with you without fear" and that no one despises him, and to send him on. About Apollos, he says "I greatly desired him to come unto you", but "his will was not at all to come at this time". Four short commands follow, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong", with "Let all your things be done with charity." The house of Stephanas is named as "the firstfruits of Achaia", who "have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints", and the readers are told to submit to such people. He is glad of the coming of "Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus", who "have refreshed my spirit and yours". Greetings come from "The churches of Asia", from Aquila and Priscilla with "the church that is in their house", and from all the brethren. The last lines are a salutation written by hand, a curse on anyone who does not love the Lord, and a blessing.

Cited passages: 1 Corinthians 16:1, 1 Corinthians 16:2, 1 Corinthians 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:4, 1 Corinthians 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:6, 1 Corinthians 16:7, 1 Corinthians 16:8, 1 Corinthians 16:9, 1 Corinthians 16:10, 1 Corinthians 16:11, 1 Corinthians 16:12, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 1 Corinthians 16:14, 1 Corinthians 16:15, 1 Corinthians 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:17, 1 Corinthians 16:18, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 1 Corinthians 16:21, 1 Corinthians 16:22, 1 Corinthians 16:23

1 Corinthians 16 (KJV)

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Historical context

This chapter carries most of the letter's names and geography: Galatia, Macedonia, Ephesus, Jerusalem, Achaia and Asia, with Timotheus, Apollos, Stephanas, Fortunatus, Achaicus, Aquila and Priscilla. The schedule is given by a festival rather than a date, "until Pentecost", and the winter stay is stated as a possibility, "it may be that I will abide". The collection method is described in full: weekly, proportionate, and carried by people the Corinthians themselves approve and accredit by letter. Apollos is reported to have declined, and the reason given is his own will, with no criticism attached. Verse 21 marks a change of hand, "The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand." In this source verse 24 also prints a closing line saying the letter "was written from Philippi by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timotheus", which does not agree with the chapter's own statement that the writer is staying at Ephesus.

Cited passages: 1 Corinthians 16:1, 1 Corinthians 16:2, 1 Corinthians 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:6, 1 Corinthians 16:8, 1 Corinthians 16:12, 1 Corinthians 16:15, 1 Corinthians 16:17, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 1 Corinthians 16:21, 1 Corinthians 16:24

Literary context

The chapter is a run of short sections, each opened by its own marker: "Now concerning the collection", "Now I will come unto you", "Now if Timotheus come", "As touching our brother Apollos", "I beseech you, brethren". Nothing is argued; everything is arranged. Verse 13 breaks the pattern with four commands in a single line, and verse 14 immediately places them under charity, the word chapter 13 was given over to. The greetings widen outward, from whole churches, to one couple and the church in their house, to all the brethren, to the readers greeting each other. The final three lines change hand and tone in turn, a personal signature, a curse, and a blessing.

Cited passages: 1 Corinthians 16:1, 1 Corinthians 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:10, 1 Corinthians 16:12, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 1 Corinthians 16:14, 1 Corinthians 16:15, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 1 Corinthians 16:21, 1 Corinthians 16:22, 1 Corinthians 16:23, 1 Corinthians 13:13

Key moments

1. The collection for the saints (1 Corinthians 16:1). The same order given to Galatia is applied to Corinth.
2. Lay by him in store (1 Corinthians 16:2). Giving is set weekly and proportionate to what each has.
3. Tarrying at Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8). The writer states where he is staying and until when.
4. A great door and many adversaries (1 Corinthians 16:9). Opportunity and opposition are named together.
5. Apollos would not come (1 Corinthians 16:12). A request is reported along with its refusal.
6. The house of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 16:15). A household is named for its service to the saints.
7. Written with his own hand (1 Corinthians 16:21). The closing salutation is marked as written personally.

For reflection

The chapter records that Apollos was asked to visit and would not come, and passes it on without complaint. What does that tell you about how the writer handled people he could not direct?

People in this chapter

• Jesus Christ
• Timothy
• Apollos
• Aquila
• Paul
• Priscilla

Also indexed here:

• Stephanas
• Achaicus
• Fortunatus