1 Korintus 16:5-18

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 ¹  until Pentecost, 16:9 because a door of great opportunity stands wide open for me, ²  but there are many opponents.

16:10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I am too. 16:11 So then, let no one treat him with contempt. But send him on his way in peace so that he may come to me. For I am expecting him with the brothers. ³ 

16:12 With regard to our brother Apollos: I strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers, ⁴  but it was simply not his intention to come now. ⁵  He will come when he has the opportunity.

Final Challenge and Blessing

16:13 Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong. 16:14 Everything you do should be done in love.

16:15 Now, brothers and sisters, ⁶  you know about the household of Stephanus, that as the first converts ⁷  of Achaia, they devoted themselves to ministry for the saints. I urge you 16:16 also to submit to people like this, and to everyone who cooperates in the work and labors hard. 16:17 I was glad about the arrival of Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus because they have supplied the fellowship with you that I lacked. ⁸  16:18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. So then, recognize people like this.

[16:8]  ¹ map For location see JP1 D2; JP2 D2; JP3 D2; JP4 D2.

[16:9]  ² tn Grk “for a door has opened wide to me, great and effective.”

[16:11]  ³ tn Since Paul appears to expect specific delegates here and they were most likely men, the Greek word ἀδελφοί (adelfoi) here has not been not translated as “brothers and sisters.”

[16:12]  ⁴ tn Grk “with the brothers.”

[16:12]  ⁵ tn Grk “it was simply not the will that he come now.”

[16:15]  ⁶ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:10.

[16:15]  ⁷ tn Grk “firstfruits.”

[16:17]  ⁸ tn Or “they have made up for your absence” (BDAG 70 s.v. ἀναπληρόω 3).