Concluding topics
16
About a special collection
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, you must do just as I instructed the congregations in Galatia. 2 On the first day of the week, each of you should set something aside, saving up as he is being prospered, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send whomever you approve by letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 But should it be fitting that I go as well, they will go with me.*
Personal plans
5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am coming through Macedonia). 6 And perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even winter, that you may send me on my way, wherever I go. 7 I do not wish to see you now just in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 So I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
This and that
10 Now if Timothy should come, see to it that he may be with you without fear,† because he does the Lord's work just as I do. 11 Therefore no one should despise him;‡ but send him on his way in peace, that he may come to me; I am expecting him along with the brothers.§
12 Now about brother Apollos: I repeatedly urged him to go to you with the brothers, but he just did not want to go at this time; he will go whenever he has an opportunity.
13 Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong! 14 Do all you do in love.
15 Now brothers, you know that the household of Stephanas is the firstfruits of Achaia and that they have really devoted themselves to ministering to the saints, 16 so I urge you to submit to such people, to all the fellow-workers and laborers. 17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they have supplied; 18 for they refreshed my spirit and yours; so give recognition to such men.
Final greetings
19 The congregations of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla, with the congregation in their house, greet you warmly in the Lord. 20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, personally sign this greeting.* 22 If anyone does not love† our Lord Jesus Christ,‡ let him be accursed. The Lord is coming!§
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love is with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
* 16:4 Paul clearly considers that he is in charge. † 16:10 Presumably about having his physical needs supplied. ‡ 16:11 I suppose it could be because he was young. § 16:11 In passing we may note that there was evidently quite a bit of traffic between the congregations in different places. * 16:21 The letter was dictated to a scribe or secretary, but Paul wrote the last bit himself; this was his signature, authenticating the letter. † 16:22 The verb here is φιλεω, not αγαπαω. We must be fond of the Lord, or be ‘accursed’. How many sermons have you heard on that subject? (People who think of God as an angry old ‘man’ are not going to be fond of Him, but if they think in such terms, they do not really know Him.) ‡ 16:22 The eclectic Greek text currently in vogue omits ‘Jesus Christ’ (following some 2% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality); and so NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc. do the same—ho hum. I have supplied ‘our’ on the basis of 58% of the manuscripts, including the best line of transmission. § 16:22 All commentators appear to be in agreement that Maranatha is a transliteration of an Aramaic expression [although I would have expected Paul to use Hebrew] made up of two words, but there is disagreement over how to make the division. It could be ‘maran atha’, meaning ‘the Lord has come’, or ‘marana tha’, meaning either ‘the Lord is coming’ or ‘O Lord, come’. All three make good sense, so take your pick.