1 CORINTHIANS 12 - The Use of Spiritual Gifts
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking [a]by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is [b]accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except [c]by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith [d]by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of [e]healing [f]by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the [g]effecting of [h]miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the [i]distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
3 gifts of revelation:
The word of wisdom (Matthew 22, Acts 6)
The word of knowledge (John 4, Acts 5)
The distinguishing of spirits (Matthew 16, 1 Kings 22, 1 Corinthians 14, 1 John 4)
3 gifts of inspired speech:
Prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:3, Isaiah 40-44)
Various kinds of tongues (Acts, 1 Corinthians 14, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16)
1. Sign
2. Gift
3. Prayer Language
4. Spiritual song
Interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 14: 13, 27); tongues+interpretation=prophecy
gifts of power:
faith (1 Kings 18, Acts 3)
healings (Mark 16:20, James 5:14)
miracles (1+2 Kings = Elijah, Judges 16= Samson and the temple)
The 5 Es of the Gifts of the Spirit (c/o Your Church Can Grow, Peter Wagner, PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary), 1984
1. Explore the possibilities (see Romans 12 (foundational/motivational) and Ephesians 4 (offices)
2. Experiment with as many as possible.
3. Examine our feelings
4. Explore our effectiveness
5. Expect confirmation from the body of Christ
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For [j]by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [k]any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [l]any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, [m]it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we [n]deem less honorable, [o]on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no [p]division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is [q]honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has [r]appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then [s]miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of [t]miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.
Footnotes
1 Corinthians 12:3 Or in
1 Corinthians 12:3 Gr anathema
1 Corinthians 12:3 Or in
1 Corinthians 12:9 Or in
1 Corinthians 12:9 Lit healings
1 Corinthians 12:9 Or in
1 Corinthians 12:10 Lit effects
1 Corinthians 12:10 Or works of power
1 Corinthians 12:10 Lit distinguishings
1 Corinthians 12:13 Or in
1 Corinthians 12:15 Lit not a part
1 Corinthians 12:16 Lit not a part
1 Corinthians 12:22 Lit to a much greater degree the members
1 Corinthians 12:23 Or think to be
1 Corinthians 12:23 Or these we clothe with
1 Corinthians 12:25 Lit schism
1 Corinthians 12:26 Lit glorified
1 Corinthians 12:28 Lit set some in
1 Corinthians 12:28 Or works of power
1 Corinthians 12:29 Or works of power
1 CORINTHIANS 13
Corinth was destroyed about 146 BC and was rebuilt by Julius Caesar in about 46 BC. They’re a mix of Italians, Jews and Orientals. Latin was the official language, but koine Greek was spoken. It was a maritime city, and was famous for bronze and tile as well. About 600,000 people lived there, which is about the size of Milwaukee or Albuquerque. Statues to 100s of gods lined the streets and there were hundreds of white robed priests. Some of the gods were Zeus, Apollo, Aphrodite and Dionysus. It was one of the most sinful cities. Chapter 5 mentions incest. Chapter 7 is about staying celibate, perhaps because he thought the end was coming soon. Chapter 8 is about food offered to idols. (c/o Corinth: Problems of an Urban Church by Rev. Robert Hetico)
“Paul was addressing the Corinthians corporately, not as individuals.” (Jack Deere, Surprised by the Voice of God, p. 241)
Don’t forget the Old Testament has a lot of major (big books) prophets and minor (small books) prophets. Here are some examples:
Deuteronomy 29:29 - “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.
Job 15:8 - “Do you hear the secret counsel of God, and limit wisdom to yourself?”
Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets.”
Psalm 25: 14 “14 The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him”. Will we keep His secrets?
1 Corinthians 13 Verse 1. If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love (Strong’s #27, whole chapter, 116x in NT, Paul used it 75x), I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. We need a balance of the gifts and fruit in
Galatians 5:22– love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
Verse 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
“Prophecy is declaring the heart throb of God to His Church for the purpose of edification. It is not a skill or aptitude or talent. It is the actual speaking forth of words given by the Spirit in a particular situation and ceases when the words tease (James Dunn, Jesus and the Spirit, p. 229).
Dunn, in his book Jesus and the Spirit (p. 233), suggests that discernings of spirits forms a pair with prophecy and should not be thought of as an independent gift, but rather a test for prophetic utterance and a control against its abuse. It certainly is this, but it appears that it may have a broader application." (c/o John Wimber)
Verse 3 And if I give (like bread crumbs) all my possessions to feed the poor (like asceticism , and if I surrender my body to be burned (like the martyrs in Dan 3, etc.; early manuscripts “that I may boast”) but do not have love, it profits me nothing. There are about 10000 martyrs/ year per the BBC.
Here is a famous marriage passage:
Verse 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag (is humble) and is not arrogant (vs. assertive)
Verse 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
Verse 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
Verse 7 bears (or covers, like a roof) all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures things.
Verse 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there (are words of) knowledge, it will be done away. (There is no need for them in heaven.)
Verse 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part;
Verse 10 but when the perfect (mature) comes, the partial will be done away.
Verse 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I [d]became a man, I did away with childish things. (Have we?)
Verse 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly (like a riddle), but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Grudem, PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School– The Gift of Prophecy notes
There was an Old Testament death penalty “for false prophecies than also included an encouragement to serve other gods.” P. 24
“Prophet does not necessarily imply absolute divine authority” p. 40
“So in 1 Cor 12:28 apostles are first because they are most useful in building up the church. Prophets are second and teachers are third, because they also contribute greatly to the church’s edification.” P. 53
There were 2 small mistakes in the prophecy of Acts 21 and Agabus, so details may be a little off. P. 77.
“I have heard a report of this happening in a clearly non-charismatic Baptist church in the US. A missionary speaker paused in the middle of his message and said something like this. ”I didn’t plan to say this but it seems the Lord is indicating that someone in this church has just walked out on his wife and family. If that is so, let me tell you that God wants you to return to them and learn to follow God’s pattern for family life.” The missionary did not know it, but in the unlit balcony sat a man who had entered the church moments before for the first in his life. The description fit him exactly and he came forward and acknowledged his sin and began to seek God.” P. 153 Spurgeon had a similar story regarding a thief from Voice of God by Deere, p. 59.
Regarding worship: “they participate in the musical aspects of the temple service, probably delivering messages from God in son, or delivering songs which God had revealed for the people to use in worshipping Him . . . prophets are sometimes seen as highly effective intercessors, praying for specific situations. “ p. 281
Deere, Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary, Surprised by the Voice of God
A lady had nightmares. “As I began to pray the name “Don” kept coming to mind . . . later she discovered Don was deeply involved in the occult”. After prayer the nightmares stopped. P. 18
“CS Lewis demonstrated 50+ years ago that when a person’s philosophy or technology excludes the miraculous, no miracle will ever change his or her mind. “ p. 82
“Anyone who wants to hear God’s voice on a regular basis will have to become intimately acquainted with the written Word of God.” P. 112
God chooses to use “interesting” people: They can be depressive (Jeremiah), have bad attitudes (Ezekiel), have a tendency to go naked for (3 years!, Isaiah), marry a prostitute (Hosea), talk to donkeys (Balaam), travel by marine mammal, get mad at God and refuse to answer him (Jonah), lie in order to get out of trouble (Abraham), be a vegetarian (Daniel), wear unusual clothes and have peculiar eating habits (John the Baptist), or argue with God (Habakkuk). P. 180
“I believe the majority of dreams, impressions, and visions we receive are meant to lead us to pray and not to do anything else.” P. 194
Have I prayed and sincerely asked God for this gift?
Am I truly content with the gifts I presently have?
Am I growing towards Christian maturity?
Do I want this gift for the benefit of the church, and not for my own glory or status or prestige?
Am I using the gift I presently have for the greatest benefit of the church? P. 181
1 CORINTHIANS 14 Prophecy, a superior gift (v. 1-19)
4 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one [a]understands, but [b]in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. 6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? 7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8 For if the [c]bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of [d]languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a [e]barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a [f]barbarian [g]to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous of [h]spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Instruction for the church (v. 20-40)
In Orthodox Jewish congregations, men and women are not permitted to sit together during prayer services.
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/mehitzah-separate-seating-in-the-synagogue/
20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, "BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME," says the Lord. 22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. 26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of [m]peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
v. 34-36
34 The women (Greek gyne (can mean wives) are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper (disgraceful) for a woman to speak in church. 36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? They may have yelled across the aisle to ask questions / make comments to their husbands, etc.
See https://www.amazon.com/Why-Not-Women-Biblical-Leadership/dp/1576581837
See https://www.huffpost.com/entry/let-her-lead-creating-a-better-future-for-women-in-the-church_b_3355700
John Wimber’s summary from The Gift of Prophecy
“In 1 Corinthians 14, we have a solid teaching chapter on prophecy. Here is a summary:
a. Prophecy consists of words which upbuild, encourage, and console (14:3, 31). It builds up because it is God's way of speaking to a situation within the body at a specific time. In the illustrations, I will suggest some examples
of this.
b. Prophecy builds up because it serves as a "sign for believers" (14:22). It reveals that God is present in the middle of the gathering, by drawing the attention of the hearer toward God.
c. Prophecy discloses the secrets of the hearts of the unbeliever (14:22 25). It prevents a man from pretending to be something or someone that he is not (Dunn, pp. 229 233, a Holy Spirit scholar
d. Prophecy should be tested (14:29 32). It is here that Paul tells the Corinthian community that they should discern that which is being spoken. As we noted earlier, here we have the verb form: the noun form appears at 12:10, among the list of gracelets (another word for gifts).
e. Prophecy is desirable (14:1, 39 40). It appears that it is so desirable to Paul because it does edify the whole Body listening.
f. There are five ways to test prophecy. I only list them here. They are fully explored in my sermon series "The Gift of Prophecy."
(1) Test the context of the prophecy.
(2) Test whether the prophecy confirms what God is already doing.
(3) Test the prophecy by determining its benefit.
(4) Test the prophet.
(5) Test the accuracy of the prophecy.”
ILLUSTRATIONS
a. Gideon Judges 7:3 "Now therefore come, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, 'Whoever is afraid
and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.'" So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained.
b. Saul's Messengers 1 Samuel 19:20 21
c. Saul 1 Samuel 19:22 24 (foretold by Samuel - 10:6 11)
d. Agabus Acts 11:27 30; 21:9 14
e. Prophecies which build up:
(1) A word of challenge, rebuke I Cor 1:10 10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all [A] agree and that there be no [B] divisions among you, but that you be [C] made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
(2) 2 Cor 10:1-17
(3) Phil 4:2 urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.
(4) A general exhortation Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
(5) Romans 15:30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
(6) A word of comfort I Thessalonians 4:15 18
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he [p]is not recognized. 39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
Footnotes
1 Corinthians 14:2 Lit hears
1 Corinthians 14:2 Or by the Spirit
1 Corinthians 14:8 Lit trumpet
1 Corinthians 14:10 Lit voices
1 Corinthians 14:11 Or foreigner
1 Corinthians 14:11 Or foreigner
1 Corinthians 14:11 Or in my estimation
1 Corinthians 14:12 Lit spirits
1 Corinthians 14:16 Or with the
1 Corinthians 14:16 I.e. unversed in spiritual gifts
1 Corinthians 14:23 V 16, note 2
1 Corinthians 14:24 V 16, note 2
1 Corinthians 14:33 Or peace. As in all...saints, let
1 Corinthians 14:35 Or disgraceful
1 Corinthians 14:36 Lit Or was
1 Corinthians 14:38 Two early mss read is not to be recognized
The Fact of Christ’s Resurrection
15 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast [a]the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you [b]as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to [c]James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as [d]to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, [e]and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. 12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified [f]against God that He raised [g]Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
The Order of Resurrection
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in [h]Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. 29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? 30 Why are we also in danger every hour? 31 I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If [i]from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 34 Become sober-minded [j]as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” 36 You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; 37 and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of [k]something else. 38 But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown [l]a perishable body, it is raised [m]an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47 The first man is from the earth, [n]earthy; the second man is from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, [o]we will also bear the image of the heavenly.
The Mystery of Resurrection
50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does [p]the perishable inherit [q]the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised [r]imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this [s]perishable must put on [t]the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this [u]perishable will have put on [v]the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
Footnotes
a. 1 Corinthians 15:2 Lit to what word I
b. 1 Corinthians 15:3 Lit among the first
c. 1 Corinthians 15:7 Or Jacob
d. 1 Corinthians 15:8 Lit to an untimely birth
e. 1 Corinthians 15:9 Lit who am
f. 1 Corinthians 15:15 Or concerning
g. 1 Corinthians 15:15 I.e. the Messiah
h. 1 Corinthians 15:22 I.e. the Messiah
i. 1 Corinthians 15:32 Lit according to man
j. 1 Corinthians 15:34 Lit righteously
k. 1 Corinthians 15:37 Lit some of the rest
l. 1 Corinthians 15:42 Lit in corruption
m. 1 Corinthians 15:42 Lit in incorruption
n. 1 Corinthians 15:47 Lit made of dust
o. 1 Corinthians 15:49 Two early mss read let us also
p. 1 Corinthians 15:50 Lit corruption
q. 1 Corinthians 15:50 Lit incorruption
r. 1 Corinthians 15:52 Lit incorruptible
s. 1 Corinthians 15:53 Lit corruptible
t. 1 Corinthians 15:53 Lit incorruption
u. 1 Corinthians 15:54 V 53, note 1
v. 1 Corinthians 15:54 V 53, note 2
Instructions and Greetings
16 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to [a]put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. 3 When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; 4 and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me. 5 But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia; 6 and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go. 7 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; 9 for a wide door [b]for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without [c]cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. 11 So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren.
12 But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity. 13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love. 15 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that [d]they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), 16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. 17 I rejoice over the [e]coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have [f]supplied what was lacking on your part. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21 The greeting is in my own hand—[g]Paul. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be [h]accursed. [i]Maranatha. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Footnotes
a. 1 Corinthians 16:2 Lit put by himself
b. 1 Corinthians 16:9 Lit and
c. 1 Corinthians 16:10 Lit fear; for
d. 1 Corinthians 16:15 Lit it was
e. 1 Corinthians 16:17 Or presence
f. 1 Corinthians 16:17 Or made up for your absence
g. 1 Corinthians 16:21 Lit Paul’s
h. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Gr anathema
