First Corinthians 16: The Support and Fellowship Enjoyed by Believers Who are to Stand Fast in Faith Like Men and in Love:

In the 16th chapter, Paul provides insight into his fellow workers in the Gospel and practical admonitions for the believer’s conduct. He orders the Corinthians to take up offerings when they meet each Sunday for delivery to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, noting that he asked the churches in Galatia to do the same. 1 Corinthians 16:1 - 41 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

. The Jews in Jerusalem believed Jesus was their Messiah and waited in Jerusalem for the prophesied Tribulation and Christ’s return to establish His Kingdom on earth, Acts 1:6 - 116 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

. They had received a taste of that Kingdom when the Holy Spirit filled all of them, Acts 2:1 - 131 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

. The Apostle Peter proclaimed that this was in fulfillment of Old Testament (OT) prophecies, Acts 2:14 - 2114 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

and they must repent from their sins and for crucifying their Messiah (though it was done by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God) and many did, Acts 2:22 - 4122 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

. They sold all of their personal property and placed their proceeds in common for the support of all and continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine (that of Peter and the 11) and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, Acts 2:42 - 4742 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

. They obeyed Peter’s doctrine (teaching), which was God’s will for them. However, the rulers of Israel and most Jews did not believe Jesus was their Messiah, thus rejecting the Kingdom message, and as a result, the Jerusalem church of Jewish believers ran out of funds, in spite of the fact they were doing exactly what they were supposed to do.

Saul, who became the Apostle Paul, was one of the chief persecutors of the Jewish believers, Acts 8:1 - 31 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

until The Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him from Heaven. He became the Apostle Paul sent to preach the Gospel of the Grace of God, Acts 20:2424 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

, a secret never revealed before, Romans 16:2525 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

- 26, to Gentiles (unheard of before), to Kings and to the Children for Israel, Acts 9:1515 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

; Acts 22:7 - 167 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

10 And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

; Acts 26:12 - 1912 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

. Thus, the Church, the Body of Christ began, Romans 12:55 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

; 1 Corinthians 12:2727 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

; Ephesians 1:15 - 2315 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

; Ephesians 3:1 - 131 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

. Even though the Kingdom church in Jerusalem was placed in a hiatus, so to speak, Paul exhorts the Body of Christ churches in Galatia and Corinth to contribute money for their support, 1 Corinthians 16:1 - 4. The Kingdom Church in Jerusalem went out of existence when the members thereof were either killed or fled at the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman Titus in 70 AD. But the promises of God are sure, and they will be resurrected from the dead at the end of the 7-year Tribulation when their Messiah returns to establish His Kingdom on earth and breaths His Spirit into Israel (at which time they will be guided by His Spirit in total fulfillment of what was only manifest at Pentecost), Ezekiel 37:1 - 141 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.

9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

. Israel will enjoy the fellowship of perfect communal living and will be a Nation of Priests, ministering to all the world as promised, Exodus 19:66 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

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Paul goes on to advise the Corinthians that he plans to visit them again, but he will stay in Ephesus until the Day of Pentecost, 1 Corinthians 16:5 - 85 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

, where many have accepted/believed the Gospel, however, there were many adversaries, 1 Corinthians 16:99 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

. This experience of Paul has been repeated in the lives of ministers of his Gospel throughout the past almost 2,000 years; that is, when many come to believe Paul’s Gospel of Grace, Satan raises many adversaries who add to, contradict or belittle it. The account in Acts 20:1 - 21 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

indicates that Paul did winter with the Corinthians as he expressed his desire to do so in 1 Corinthians 16:5 - 75 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

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The following verses name 7 of Paul’s fellow laborers in the Gospel; Timothy, Apollos, Stephanas (Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:1616 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

that Stephanas and his household was one of the very few he had baptized), Fortunatus, Achaicus, Aquila  and  Priscilla  (a married Jewish couple who worked with Paul making tents and are mentioned by Paul a number of times). These 6 men and 1 woman were fellow laborlores with Paul and were important to Paul and The Church, The Body of Christ. The mention of them reminds us that we will meet them and all believers since then when the Lord takes us to Heaven with Him at the Rapture. Just as these 7 people were important to Paul, we should recognize the importance of our fellowship with believers who God has placed in our lives.Paul advises the Corinthians that if Timothy visits them, they should welcome him in peace, without fear, and not despise him (to make him of no account) because he does the work of the Lord, just like Paul, and Paul was waiting for him to come to him with the brethren, 1 Corinthians 16:10 - 1110 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

. This brings to remembrance the time when Paul first came to Corinth and met resistance but the Lord appeared to him, advising him not to fear as no one was going to set upon him as the Lord had many people there who were going to believe, Acts 18:1 - 101 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

. (Note that the Lord knew of many people who were going to believe prior to hearing Paul’s message, when they did come to believe.) Corinth was a tough, worldly city with people from throughout the then known world and Timothy was apparently a rather timid young man, thus Paul’s exhortation that they welcome him warmly, to ease his fears. Timothy had already left Paul in Ephesus to go to Corinth, 1 Corinthians 4:1717 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

, and was traveling through Macedonia (northern Greece), Acts 19:2222 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

to get to them, 1 Corinthians 16:10 - 11. It appears that Paul was looking for Timothy to return to him with Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus by comparing 1 Corinthians 16:1111 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

b and 1 Corinthians 16:17 - 1817 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

18 For they have refreshed my spirit and your's: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

18 For they have refreshed my spirit and your's: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

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Paul mentions that he greatly wished Apollos would visit Corinth again, but Apollos’ will was not to do so at this time, but he would come to them when convenient (have leisure or an opportunity), 1 Corinthians 16:1212 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

. Apollos’ name is mentioned 7 times in 1 Corinthians, the first being that some Corinthians said they followed Paul, some Apollos, some Peter and some Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:1212 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

. Two chapters later, Paul points out contentions that had developed in the church because of the carnal (worldly) nature of the Corinthians where some followed Paul and others Apollos. Paul points out he planted, Apollos watered but God gave the increase, so Paul and Apollos were fellow labors together and the Corinthian believers were God’s building, 1 Corinthians 3:1 - 91 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

. The point here is that Paul expressed absolutely no animosity or superior attitude toward Apollos, he matter-of-factly writes that he wishes Apollos would visit them, but Apollos would have to make that decision and attend to them when convenient for him, 1 Corinthians 16:12, which is a lesson that pastors and believers in general should recognize in dealing with fellow pastors and believers.

The word faith occurs 7 times in 1 Corinthians and the last occurrence is here in the 16th chapter: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 - 1413 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

14 Let all your things be done with charity.

. This exhortation is not only part and parcel of what Paul just wrote about Apollos, but also something all believers must constantly take to heart. That is; to watch (be constantly alert), stand fast (stand firm, persevere, persist) in the faith (the body of belief that comes from hearing the Word of God, Romans 10:1717 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

, which is the substance or ground of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

); quit you like men (these 4 English word are from one Greek word “andrizomai” [G407] meaning to show one’s self as a man, be brave); be strong (to be made strong, to increase in strength, to grow strong). Following immediately is Paul’s exhortation that all believers let everything be done with love, 1 Corinthians 16:1414 Let all your things be done with charity.

. He described the attributes, or the way of love in the 13th chapter and following his exhortation to stand fast in strength like a man, he emphasizes that believers must do so in love.

Paul then exhorts the Corinthians to submit/subject themselves to Paul’s fellow-workers in the Gospel, naming Stephanus in particular who was one of the first saved in Achaia (what is now southern Greece), 1 Corinthians 16:15 - 1615 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

. Paul rejoices at the arrival of Stephanus, Fortunatus and Achaicus because they greatly refreshed him as they did the Corinthians and thus, they should acknowledge them for this, 1 Corinthians 16:17 - 18. Paul sends greetings from the churches in Asia and from Aquila and Pricilla and the group of believers that met in their house (in Ephesus), 1 Corinthians 16:1919 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

. (Most of the churches founded by Paul met in houses; there is no record of edifices being built for their meetings.) “All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.” 1 Corinthians 16:2020 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

. It was a custom at that time, and is still in some cultures, to greet each other with a kiss on the check. The fact that Paul calls it a “holy” kiss indicates it was not with sensual unchaste motives, but with pure love.

Between the salutation by Paul with his own hand, 1 Corinthians 16:2121 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

(indicating he probably dictated the epistle) and his wishing the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ upon them along with his own love to be with them all in Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 16:23 - 2423 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

, he issues a rather bone rattling pronouncement: “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” 1 Corinthians 16:2222 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

. Thus exclaiming that no matter how moral, religious and upstanding a person is in this life, they are accursed and will spend eternity in hell if they do not love The Lord Jesus Christ.