1 Corinthians 16

The Offering for Fellow-Believers

16^*Now, concerning what you wrote about the money to be raised to help God’s people in Judea. You must do what I told the churches in Galatia to do. ²Every Sunday each of you must put aside some money, in proportion to what you have earned, and save it up, so that there will be no need to collect money when I come. ³After I come, I shall give letters of introduction to those you have approved, and send them to take your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴If it seems worthwhile for me to go, then they can go along with me.

Paul’s Plans

^5*I shall come to you after I have gone through Macedonia—for I have to go through Macedonia. ⁶I shall probably spend some time with you, perhaps the whole winter, and then you can help me to continue my journey, wherever it is I shall go next. ⁷I want to see you more than just briefly in passing; I hope to spend quite a long time with you, if the Lord allows.

^8*I will stay here in Ephesus until the day of Pentecost. ^9*There is a real opportunity here for great and worthwhile work, even though there are many opponents.

^10*If Timothy comes your way, be sure to make him feel welcome among you, because he is working for the Lord, just as I am. ¹¹No one should look down on him, but you must help him to continue his trip in peace, so that he will come back to me; for I am expecting him back with the brothers and sisters.

¹²Now, about brother Apollos. I have often encouraged him to visit you with the other believers, but he is not completely convinced^s that he should go at this time. When he gets the chance, however, he will go.

Final Words

¹³Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. ¹⁴Do all your work in love.

^15*You know about Stephanas and his family; they are the first Christian converts in Achaia and have given themselves to the service of God’s people. I beg you, my brothers and sisters, ¹⁶to follow the leadership of such people as these, and of anyone else who works and serves with them.

¹⁷I am happy about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; they have made up for your absence ¹⁸and have cheered me up, just as they cheered you up. Such men as these deserve notice.

^19*The churches in the province of Asia send you their greetings; Aquila and Priscilla and the church that meets in their house send warm Christian greetings. ²⁰All the believers here send greetings.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹With my own hand I write this: Greetings from Paul. ²²Whoever does not love the Lord—a curse on him! ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. ²⁴My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.