CHAPTER 16

(A.D. 59)

FINANCIAL HELP

¹Now concerning the collection (offering) for the Saints (refers specifically to Jerusalem), as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia, even so do you (refers to this matter being the responsibility of all the Churches).

²Upon the first day of the week (Sunday, which replaced the Jewish Sabbath of Saturday) let every one of you (no exceptions) lay by him in store, as God has prospered him (give to the Work of the Lord on this day), that there be no gatherings when I come (refers to their systematic giving).

³And when I come (to the Church at Corinth), whomsoever you shall approve by your letters (means that the congregation at Corinth was to select one or more persons to take these funds to Jerusalem), them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem (those chosen by the Churches).

⁴And if it be meet (necessary) that I go also, they shall go with me. (At this time, it seems Paul is uncertain as to whether he will also go to Jerusalem with this Gift. However, by the time he wrote II Corinthians, he had decided to go and, as stated, have these men accompany him [II Cor. 1:16; Rom. 15:25].)

PAULS FUTURE PLANS

⁵Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia (presents the Apostle visiting the Churches in this area): for I do pass through Macedonia (not to linger, to spend only a little time at each of the Churches).

⁶And it may be that I will abide, yes, and winter with you (he felt he needed to spend more time at Corinth than elsewhere, at least at this time), that you may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. (The Corinthians would help him with finances, etc.)

⁷For I will not see you now by the way (refers to him not being able to come to them immediately); but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit (but when he does come, he hopes to stay a while).

⁸But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. (Paul is writing a short time before the Jewish Passover, and intends to leave Ephesus after the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, a period of about two months.)

⁹For a great door and effectual is opened unto me (refers to spreading the Gospel), and there are many adversaries (those who opposed his Ministry, there seemed to have been many).

TIMOTHY AND APOLLOS

¹⁰Now if Timothy come, see that he may be with you without fear (because of his youth, let no one intimidate him): for he works the Work of the Lord, as I also do.(Inasmuch as Timothy is with Paul, he is to be treated accordingly.)

¹¹Let no man therefore despise him (refers to his youth and inexperience): but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me (I dont want him to come to me with a bad report): for I look for him with the Brethren. (This pertains to those who accompanied Timothy, whomever they may have been.)

¹²As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the Brethren (a previous visit): but his will was not at all to come at this time (for whatever reason); but he will come when he shall have convenient time (when a good opportunity offers itself to him; the Church at Corinth greatly respected Apollos).

EXHORTATIONS

¹³Watch ye (a military command, be vigilant), stand fast in the Faith (dont let the devil move your Faith from the Cross to other things), quit you like men (act like mature men), be strong (strong in the Faith, which makes one strong against the Devil).

¹⁴Let all your things be done with charity (love).

¹⁵I beseech you, Brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the Firstfruits of Achaia (in all of Greece, the family of Stephanas was the first to come to Christ as a consequence of Pauls Ministry), and that they have addicted themselves to the Ministry of the Saints,) (used of the Lord, and greatly so!)

¹⁶That you submit yourselves unto such (let Stephanas and those like him be the ones you follow, instead of these false teachers), and to every one who helps with us, and labors (because they Preach the same Gospel as Paul, the Gospel of the Cross and the Resurrection).

¹⁷I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus (refers to them coming from Corinth to Paul at Ephesus): for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. (This probably means he wished he could have spoken to the entire Church at Corinth, but these Brethren who represented that Church would be sufficient for the present.)

¹⁸For they have refreshed my spirit and yours (eased my spirit, and as your representatives, eased your spirits as well): therefore acknowledge ye them who are such. (This refers to these three men, and that what they will say to the Church at Corinth will be correct and right.)

¹⁹The Churches of Asia salute you (speaking of the Churches in that area). Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the Church that is in their house (a husband and wife, with one of the meeting places for worship in Ephesus being in their house; there were no Church buildings as such, at that time, as Rome was not allowing such).

²⁰All the Brethren greet you. (Paul is speaking not only of those at Ephesus, but all the Churches of Asia, etc., as well.) Greet you one another with an holy kiss (culture for that day and time, but which now is a handshake or embrace).

SALUTATION AND BENEDICTION

²¹The salutation of me Paul with my own hand. (Paul had dictated the letter up to this point, with a Scribe doing the writing. However, the Apostle now takes the pen and, as we may say, signs the letter.)

²²If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema (accursed) Maranatha (the Lord comes).

²³The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (Refers to the favor of the Lord, which comes in an uninterrupted flow to all who have Christ and the Cross as the object of their Faith.)

²⁴My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Paul includes this last statement because he has had to write some very strong things in the body of this Letter. He is saying that it was love for them, which occasioned the necessity.)