1 Corinthians 16

This is the final chapter of 1 Corinthians. Having concluded his discussion of the resurrection in chapter 15, Paul closes the letter with practical requests, news, and greetings.

Outline

• Verses 1–4: Paul instructs the Corinthians to handle the collection for the saints as the churches of Galatia do. On the first day of every week, each person is to set aside an amount in proportion to his income, and the gift is to be sent to Jerusalem by people whom the church approves.
• Verses 5–9: Paul announces his plan to pass through Macedonia and then come to Corinth to spend the winter. He will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door has opened to him and there are many adversaries.
• Verses 10–12: Paul asks the Corinthians not to despise Timothy but to receive him well. He reports that Apollos is not willing to come at present but will come when he has opportunity.
• Verses 13–14: Paul exhorts them to watch, stand fast in the faith, and do everything in love.
• Verses 15–18: Paul commends the household of Stephanas, the firstfruits of Achaia, and urges the church to acknowledge workers such as Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus.
• Verses 19–24: The churches of Asia and the church in the house of Aquila and Prisca send greetings. Paul writes a greeting in his own hand and closes with "Maranatha" and a benediction.

Key Verses

• 1 Corinthians 16:2: "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store" — frequently cited as a basis for linking the Lord's Day with regular giving.
• 1 Corinthians 16:14: "Let all your things be done with charity" — a brief recapitulation of the teaching on love in chapter 13.
• 1 Corinthians 16:22: "Maran-atha" — the Aramaic expression Maranatha, meaning "the Lord is coming," which reflects the early church's faith in the Second Coming.

People and Places

• Paul: The sender of the letter, who writes a greeting in his own hand in verse 21.
• Timothy and Apollos: Paul's coworkers.
• Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus: Members of the Corinthian church who came to Paul in Ephesus.
• Priscilla and Aquila: Priscilla appears in this passage under the name "Prisca." The couple hosted a church gathering in their home.
• Macedonia and Achaia: Regions of northern and southern Greece, respectively. The chief city of Achaia was Corinth.

Points for Reflection

• "The first day of the week" in verse 2: Many denominations read this verse together with Acts 20:7 as evidence that the early church gathered on Sunday. The Seventh-day Adventist Church reads the passage as referring only to individuals setting money aside, not to a worship assembly. This debate is covered in the article Sabbath and Lord's Day.
• "Maranatha" in verse 22: Depending on how the Aramaic original is divided, it can be read either as "O Lord, come!" (a prayer) or as "The Lord is coming" (a declaration). The Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised Version render it as a declaration.
• "A holy kiss" in verse 20: This is generally understood as a greeting custom of the time. Some traditions carry it forward as the "passing of the peace" during worship.
• The collection for Jerusalem: This theme continues in Romans 15:25–26 and 2 Corinthians 8–9.