1 Corinthians 16King James Version
Practical instructions. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity. The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Paul wraps up with practical instructions: directions for the collection for the Jerusalem church (set aside money weekly), his travel plans through Macedonia and Ephesus, commendations for Timothy and Apollos, a word about the household of Stephanas as leaders worth honoring, a report of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus who have refreshed him in person, and a closing with personal greetings. The final lines carry both the letter's sharpest warning and its most tender benediction.
A letter full of confrontation ends in community. Paul is not just correcting an abstract church; he is embedded in a web of names and relationships and shared financial commitments that span the Mediterranean world.
"Let all your things be done with charity." (16:14) After fifteen chapters dealing with division, immorality, lawsuits, gifts, and resurrection, Paul distills his entire appeal into one line, the same word he defined carefully in chapter 13.
Paul is in Ephesus, likely in the spring of 55 AD, waiting to cross to Macedonia after Pentecost. The three men from Corinth who have come to him are not just messengers; they represent the church's better instincts. He honors them publicly in the letter, partly to elevate their standing when they return with the letter that will cost the congregation something to hear.
Timothy is coming and must be welcomed without intimidation. Apollos has been urged to visit but declined for now. Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus are in the room with Paul as he dictates; he credits them with supplying what the congregation's absence could not. Aquila and Priscilla, his tentmaking partners from Corinth now in Ephesus, send greetings from their house-church.
The collection for the Jerusalem church was not a charity sidebar; it was a political and theological act. Paul saw it as a tangible sign that the largely Gentile churches of the Aegean world were bound to the mother church in Jerusalem in a covenant of mutual care. Getting the chaotic Corinthian congregation to participate faithfully was both practical and symbolic: could they hold something for others rather than just fighting over what they had?
The tone shifts in the last verses from warm affection to a startling curse: 'If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema.' It is a flash of the severity underlying the whole letter. Then immediately: 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.' Severity and grace, held together, are Paul's final word to this difficult, beloved church.
1Now 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.
9For 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.
17I 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.