1 Corinthians 16:1-9

A Collection to Aid Jewish Christians

16:1 With regard to the collection for the saints, please follow the directions that I gave to the churches of Galatia: ¹  16:2 On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside some income ²  and save ³  it to the extent that God has blessed you, ⁴  so that a collection will not have to be made ⁵  when I come. 16:3 Then, when I arrive, I will send those whom you approve with letters of explanation to carry your gift to Jerusalem. ⁶  16:4 And if it seems advisable that I should go also, they will go with me.

Paul’s Plans to Visit

16:5 But I will come to you after I have gone through Macedonia – for I will be going through Macedonia – 16:6 and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you can send me on my journey, wherever I go. 16:7 For I do not want to see you now in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows. 16:8 But I will stay in Ephesus ⁷  until Pentecost, 16:9 because a door of great opportunity stands wide open for me, ⁸  but there are many opponents.

[16:1]  ¹ tn Grk “as I directed the churches of Galatia, so also you yourselves do.”

[16:2]  ² tn Grk “set aside, storing whatever he has been blessed with.”

[16:2]  ³ tn Grk “set aside, storing.” The participle θησαυρίζων (qhsaurizwn) indicates the purpose or result of setting aside the extra income.

[16:2]  ⁴ tn “To the extent that God has blessed you” translates an awkward expression, “whatever has been prospered [to you].” This verb has been translated as an active with “God” as subject, taking it as a divine passive.

[16:2]  ⁵ tn Grk “so that collections will not be taking place.”

[16:3]  ⁶ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[16:8]  ⁷ map For location see JP1 D2; JP2 D2; JP3 D2; JP4 D2.

[16:9]  ⁸ tn Grk “for a door has opened wide to me, great and effective.”