Skip to main content
Psalmlog Logo

1 Corinthians 16

Paul brings the letter to a close by joining practical care for believers with steadfast faith and love for Christ.

Paul closes his letter to the Corinthians with instructions for a collection to help believers in Jerusalem. He plans to remain in Ephesus before traveling through Macedonia, hoping for a longer visit to Corinth if the Lord permits. He asks the church to receive Timothy without contempt and honor those who serve. Commands to stand firm and act in love lead into greetings, a warning about failing to love Christ, and a prayer for the Lord’s coming.

serving and tiredleadership weightsermon or Bible study notes
Read
1Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise.
2On the first day of every week, let each one of you save as he may prosper, that no collections are made when I come.
3When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.
4If it is appropriate for me to go also, they will go with me.
5I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia, for I am passing through Macedonia.
6But with you it may be that I will stay with you, or even winter with you, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go.
7For I do not wish to see you now in passing, but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.
8But I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost,
9for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
10Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.
11Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.
12Now concerning Apollos the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
13Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!
14Let all that you do be done in love.
15Now I beg you, brothers—you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints—
16that you also be in subjection to such, and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.
17I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.
18For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that.
19The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house.
20All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand.
22If any man doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be cursed. Come, Lord!
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
1 Corinthians 16:13The commands to watch and stand firm gather Paul’s closing instructions around courage rooted in the faith.
1 Corinthians 16:22The closing warning makes love for the Lord Jesus Christ decisive, alongside Paul’s urgent prayer for his coming.
1 Corinthians 16:14Love governs every instruction here, including the collection, the welcome for Timothy, and the recognition of those who serve.
Where this chapter reaches

Acts shares the people and places of Paul’s work, including Timothy, Aquila and Priscilla, and his ministry in Ephesus amid opposition. 2 Corinthians develops the same collection for believers in Jerusalem, with attention to generosity and the trusted people entrusted with the gift.

1 Corinthians 16's chapter linksAll strongest linksHover or tap a book
Notice

After reading the whole chapter

How does the command to do everything in love shape your reading of Paul’s call to courage?

Write on this

Whose service refreshes your church, and what might acknowledging that service look like?

Write on this

Questions people ask about 1 Corinthians 16

Does 1 Corinthians 16:2 require a church offering every Sunday?

Paul tells each person to save on the first day of every week, in keeping with what they have received, for the gift to Jerusalem. His stated aim is to avoid collecting when he arrives. The verse does not specify whether the money is kept at home or gathered together.

What does the curse in 1 Corinthians 16:22 mean?

Paul pronounces a curse on anyone who does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, expressing the gravity of rejecting him. He then prays, “Come, Lord!” The verse places judgment beside longing for Christ’s coming. It names no individual and gives no instructions for carrying out a punishment.

Why does Paul stay in Ephesus despite opposition?

Paul says that “a great and effective door has opened to me,” while also reporting many adversaries. He regards Ephesus as a place of opportunity for his work despite the resistance. He plans to stay until Pentecost, then travel through Macedonia before spending more time with the Corinthians.

Read it. Now write it.

Start an entry on 1 Corinthians 16. Your words go beside the text, and you get one next step for the week.

1 Corinthians · 16 chapters
12345678910111213141516

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).