1Cor 16 | HCSB | STEP | Now about the collection for the saints : You should do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches .

‏ 1 Corinthians 16

Collection for the Jerusalem Church

1 Now about the collection ^a for the ^{▼▼saint(s)/sanctification/sanctify/sanctified: The work of the Holy Spirit that separates believers in Jesus from the world; at the time of saving faith in Jesus, the believer is made a saint; therefore, all believers are saints. The believer participates with the Spirit in a process of transformation that continues until glorification. The goal of sanctification is progressive conformity to the image of Jesus Christ.}saints: You should do the same as I instructed the Galatian ^c churches. 2 On the first day of the week, ^{▼▼Or Each Sunday
,} ^e each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he prospers, so that no collections will need to be made when I come. ^f 3 When I arrive, I will send with letters ^g those you recommend to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem. ^h 4 If it is suitable for me to go as well, they can travel with me.

Paul’s Travel Plans

5 I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia ⁱ – for I will be traveling through Macedonia – 6 and perhaps I will remain with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go. 7 I don’t want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows. ^j 8 But I will stay in Ephesus ^k until Pentecost, ^l 9 because a wide door ^m for effective ministry has opened for me ^{▼▼Lit for a door has opened to me, great and effective} – yet many oppose me. 10 If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear from you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, ^o just as I am. 11 Therefore, no one should look down ^p on him. Send him on his way in peace so he can come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. ^{▼▼With the brothers may connect with Paul or Timothy.}

12 About our brother Apollos: ^r I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. However, he will come when he has an opportunity.

Final Exhortation

13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, ^s act like a man, be strong. 14 Your every action must be done with love. ^t

15 ^{▼▼brother(s): The Greek word adelphoi can be used as a reference to males only or to groups that include males and females. It is the context of each usage that determines the proper meaning.}Brothers, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the ^{▼▼firstfruits: The agricultural products harvested first and given to God as an offering; also the first of more products to come}firstfruits ^w of Achaia ^x and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you 16 also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. 17 I am pleased to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit ^y and yours. Therefore recognize ^z such people.

Conclusion

19 The churches of ^{▼▼Asia: A Roman province that is now part of modern Turkey; it did not refer to the modern continent of Asia.}Asia ^ab greet you. ^ac Aquila and Priscilla ^ad greet you warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home. ^ae 20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. ^af

21 This greeting is in my own hand ^{▼▼Paul normally dictated his letters to a secretary, but signed the end of each letter himself; Rm 16:22; Gl 6:11; Col 4:18; 2Th 3:17.
,} ^ah – Paul. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Marana tha that is, Lord, come! ^{▼▼Or Maran atha (an Aram expression transliterated into Gk) = Our Lord has come!} 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. ^aj 24 My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.