1 Corinthians 16

1 Now about [concerning, regarding] the collection [gathering, contribution] for the saints [holy ones, set apart], you are to do [make, carry out] as I directed [gave order, commanded] the churches [assemblies, communities] of Galatia [a region in Asia] [just as, exactly like]: word study 2 On the first day [every Sunday] of every week, each [every individual] of you should set aside [lay by, put apart] a portion [as God hath prospered him] of his income [earnings, prosperity], saving [storing up, treasuring] it up, so that when I come [arrive, visit] no collections [gatherings, contributions] will be needed [necessary, required]. word study 3 Then [at that time, when I arrive], on my arrival [when I come, whenever I may come], I will send [dispatch, send on their way] letters [epistles, written messages] with those [whomsoever, whoever] you recommend [approve, choose] to carry [bring, transport] your gift [liberality, gracious offering] to Jerusalem [the city of God’s people, the holy city]. word study 4 And if [it is fitting, if it seems right] it is advisable [worthy, suitable] for me [I, myself] to go also [too, as well], they can travel [journey, go with me] with [together, in company] me. word study 5 After I go through [traverse, pass through] Macedonia, however, I will come [to arrive] to you; for [as a reason] I will be going [passing through] through Macedonia [a region in Greece]. word study 6 Perhaps [it may be, possibly] I will stay [remain, continue] with you [in your company, as a guest] awhile [for a time, a short while], or [possibly] even spend [pass, winter] the winter [the cold or rainy season], so that [in order that, to] you [yourselves, personally] can help [assist, send] me on my journey [travel, go], wherever [to whatever place, whither] I go [travel, proceed]. word study 7 For I do not want [to merely pass by] to see you now [at this moment, in this present time] only in passing [by the way, briefly]; I hope [to trust and expect] to spend some time [a certain period, a while] with you, if [it is permitted, allowed] the Lord [God, the Master] permits [allows, gives permission]. word study 8 But I will stay [tarry, remain] in Ephesus [a city in Asia Minor] until [as far as, up to] Pentecost [the festival of weeks, 50 days after Passover], word study 9 because a great [tremendous, large] door [an opportunity] for effective [active, powerful] work [ministry, service] has opened [been made accessible] to me, even though many [a number of, plenty of] oppose [are against, withstand] me. word study 10 If [in the event that, possibly] Timothy [dear to God, a faithful companion] comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear [is without anxiety, lives fearlessly] while he is with you, for he is doing [laboring, serving] the work [ministry, task] of the Lord [God, the Master], just as [in the same manner, similarly] I am [also serving, working]. word study 11 No one [not a single person], then, should treat him with contempt [reject or despise him]. Send him on his way [conduct him forth, help him on his journey] in peace [harmony, prosperity, freedom from war] so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him [waiting for, looking for] along with the brothers [fellow Christians, male siblings]. word study 12 Now about [concerning, regarding] our brother Apollos [a Jewish Christian leader]: I strongly [greatly, with much urgency] urged him to go to you with the brothers [fellow believers, companions in faith]. He was not at all [by no means, in no way] inclined [willing, desirous] to go now [at this time, presently], but he will go when he has [finds, obtains] the opportunity [a good time, a chance]. word study 13 Be on the alert [watchful, vigilant]. Stand firm [unshakeable, steadfast] in the faith [trust, confidence in God]. Be men [brave, courageous] of courage [strength, valor]. Be strong [empowered, strengthened]. word study 14 Do [let it be, allow] everything [all your actions, every matter] in [with, motivated by] love [unconditional, divine affection, charity] [with selfless concern for others]. word study 15 You know [are aware of, perceive] that Stephanas [a faithful follower] and his household [family, those belonging to him] were the first converts [firstfruits, initial harvest] in Achaia [a region in ancient Greece], and they have devoted [dedicated, set themselves] themselves to the service [ministry, helping others] of the saints [holy ones, set apart]. Now I urge [beseech, plead with] you, brothers [fellow believers, brethren], word study 16 to submit [be obedient, put under authority] to such as these [people of this kind, with these qualities], and to every fellow worker [co-laborer, one who helps with the work] and laborer [one who works hard, toils with effort]. word study 17 I am glad [rejoice, feel happy] that Stephanas, Fortunatus [fortunate, lucky], and Achaicus [from the Achaia region] have arrived [come, been present], because they have supplied [filled up, completed] what was lacking [deficient, missing] from you [on your part, in your place]. word study 18 For [because of this reason] they refreshed [gave comfort to, rejuvenated] my spirit [the vital principle] and yours [your inner being] as well [also, in the same way]. Show [demonstrate, express] your appreciation [gratitude, recognition], therefore [as a result, then], to such men [those who are like this]. word study 19 The churches [assemblies, gatherings of believers] in the province [region, geographical area] of Asia [Asia Minor, the Roman province] send you greetings [salute you, pay respects to you]. Aquila and Prisca [Priscilla, little Prisca] greet you warmly [much, with affection] in the Lord [in the authority and love of God], and so does the church [assembly, community of faith] that meets at their house [home, dwelling place]. word study 20 All the brothers [fellow believers, brethren] here send you greetings. Greet [salute, pay respects to] one another [each other, mutually] with a holy [set apart] kiss [a symbol of love and respect]. word study 21 This greeting [salutation, a personal expression of love] is in my own [mine, belonging to me] hand [a symbol of personal involvement]—Paul [the apostle, originally named Saul]. word study 22 If [in the event that, if indeed] anyone [a person, someone] does not [completely rejects] love [have strong affection for] the Lord [God, Master], let him be [exist as] under [a state of] a curse [anathema, devoted to destruction]. Come [maran], O Lord [God, Master]! word study 23 The [divine, gracious] grace [unmerited favor, loving-kindness] of the [supreme] Lord [Master, God] Jesus [God is salvation, the Messiah] [Christ, the anointed One] be with [accompany, remain among] you. word study 24 My [unconditional, divine] love [agape, affection] be with [accompanied by, among] all [every one, the whole] of you [as individuals, collectively] in [within, united with] Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] Jesus [God’s salvation, the Savior]. Amen [so be it, trustworthy]. word study