1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16:1

Now concerning the contribution for the supply of the wants of the poor Christians in Judæa, exhausted partly by their former Christian liberality, Acts ii. 45, making sale of their goods, and communicating their stock to the Christians, and partly being spoiled of their goods by the persecuting Jews, 1 Thess. ii. 14, the same order that I gave to the churches of Galatia, I now give to you.

1 Corinthians 16:2

On the day of the Christian assembly it is not reasonable for any to come to the Lord empty, (see Exod. xxiii. 15. Deut. xvi. 16,) and therefore at such a time, upon such a special occasion as this, let every one lay aside whatsoever by God’s blessing comes in to him by way of increase, so that there may be a full collection made, without any more gatherings when I come among you.

1 Corinthians 16:3

And then ye shall have the choice of the messengers who shall carry it, that ye may be confident of the due disposing of it, according to your intentions; and whom ye choose, I will in my letters recommend them, and send them to Jerusalem.

1 Corinthians 16:4

And if the collection be such an one as may make it fit for me to be the bearer of it, I will go myself, and they along with me.

1 Corinthians 16:5

And my coming to you I design as soon as I have spent some time in the several parts of Macedonia: for I shortly intend to remove from hence, and in my way to Jerusalem to pass through that region.

1 Corinthians 16:6

And perhaps when I come, I will stay the whole winter with you, which being done I will go further, and I suppose some of you will go some part of my way with me.

1 Corinthians 16:7

For I mean not now to come to you, because if I did I should not be able to stay, or to do any more than take you in passing; but my purpose is, by God’s leave, to spend some time with you when I next come:

1 Corinthians 16:8

At the present purposing to stay at Ephesus till it be fit for me to set forward toward Jerusalem, where I mean to be at Pentecost.

1 Corinthians 16:9

And I have great reason to do so; for as I have a great deal of hope that I may be able to do much good, to propagate the gospel in those parts, so there are many that oppose the truth, which makes it more necessary for me to stay there some time, for the quelling of them.

1 Corinthians 16:10

When Timothy comes to you with this epistle, be careful that the schismatics among you give him no disturbance, and do ye look upon him as ye would upon me.

1 Corinthians 16:11

Take heed to all he saith; let him have an authority among you; and when he returns bring him on his way, and provide him with necessaries when ye take your leave of him, that he may return to me, for I and the brethren expect him.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Be careful and vigilant, that ye be not seduced; continue constant in the truth; and whatsoever temptations ye have to solicit you, shew yourselves courageous, and well armed against all assaults.

1 Corinthians 16:14

Away with all divisions and schisms from among you.

received the gospel at the first preaching of it in Achaia, and have ever since been very bountiful to all the poor Christians (see note [a] Luke viii.);

1 Corinthians 16:16

That you honour and reverence them, and such as they, and all that join with them in the propagation of the gospel and faith of Christ.

1 Corinthians 16:17

I was very glad at the coming of Stephanas, &c. (probably the sons of Chloe,) who have told me of the schisms among you, ch. i. 11, and of all other matters of importance, and so supplied your place, done that which you ought to have done; see note [b] Mark xii.

1 Corinthians 16:18

For they came very much desired, and very welcome to me, and will so, I presume, to you at their return: such men as they deserve all reverence from you.

b all the Christians in their family. c See note [c] Rom. xvi.

1 Corinthians 16:22

If any man love not Christ so well as to confess him, but renounceth him in time of temptation, as the Gnostics affirm it lawful to do, let him fall under the heaviest censures of the church.