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1 Corinthians

Chapter 16

Collection, Companions, and Final Steadiness

Paul closes the letter by giving practical instructions for the collection for the saints, laying out his travel plans, and speaking about Timothy, Apollos, and other co-workers in the churches. The final chapter gathers a series of concise exhortations around courage, love, submission, refreshment, and greeting, and then ends with Paul's own hand, a severe warning for those who do not love the Lord, and a closing word of grace and love.

This final chapter grounds the letter's great themes back in ordinary church life. After dealing with doctrine, disorder, worship, and resurrection, Paul ends with money, travel, companions, discipline, affection, and grace, showing how the gospel takes shape in the church's ongoing common life.

5 sections·431 words·~2 min read

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1 Corinthians 16

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vv. 1-4

The Collection for the Saints

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N1ow about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia: 2On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed. 3Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4And if it is advisable for me to go also, they can travel with me.

vv. 5-9

Paul’s Travel Plans

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A5fter I go through Macedonia, however, I will come to you; for I will be going through Macedonia. 6Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7For I do not want to see you now only in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.

vv. 10-12

Timothy and Apollos

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I10f Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers. 12Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

vv. 13-18

Concluding Exhortations

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B13e on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. 14Do everything in love.

15You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers, 16to submit to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18For they refreshed my spirit and yours as well. Show your appreciation, therefore, to such men.

vv. 19-24

Signature and Final Greetings

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T19he churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. 20All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21This greeting is in my own hand — Paul. 22If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord! 23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.

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Each section keeps the passage focused, adds summaries and cross references, and gives verse-level links.

  1. 01vv. 1-4The Collection for the SaintsPaul begins the closing chapter with practical direction for the collection being gathered for the saints, asking the Corinthians to follow the same pattern he has given elsewhere. The collection is to be orderly, prepared in advance, and entrusted to approved representatives rather than assembled hastily when he arrives.
  2. 02vv. 5-9Paul’s Travel PlansPaul shares his intended route through Macedonia and his hope of staying longer with the Corinthians rather than only passing by. At the same time he remains in Ephesus for now, because there is a wide-open field of effective work there despite strong opposition.
  3. 03vv. 10-12Timothy and ApollosPaul asks the Corinthians to receive Timothy without contempt or fear, since Timothy shares in the same work of the Lord. He also clarifies that Apollos was urged to come but is not coming now, which quietly keeps Corinth from turning apostolic relationships into factional signals once again.
  4. 04vv. 13-18Concluding ExhortationsPaul gathers a final cluster of exhortations around wakefulness, courage, love, and willing submission to those who labor faithfully among the saints. He then names Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus with gratitude because their presence has refreshed both Paul and the church, and he asks the Corinthians to recognize such people properly.
  5. 05vv. 19-24Signature and Final GreetingsThe letter ends with greetings from the churches of Asia and the brothers nearby, and then shifts into Paul's own hand. The closing is warm but not soft: grace and love frame it, yet a curse falls on those who do not love the Lord, and the cry for the Lord to come stands near the end.
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