The Collection for the Saints 1Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia: 2On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed. 3Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4And if it is advisable for me to go also, they can travel with me. Paul’s Travel Plans 5After I go through Macedonia, however, I will come to you; for I will be going through Macedonia. 6Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7For I do not want to see you now only in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,a 9because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me. Timothy and Apollos 10If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers. 12Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity. Concluding Exhortations 13Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. 14Do everything in love. 15You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers, 16to submit to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18For they refreshed my spirit and yours as well. Show your appreciation, therefore, to such men. Signature and Final Greetings 19The churches in the province of Asiab send you greetings. Aquila and Priscac greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. 20All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. 22If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord!d 23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.e Footnotes: 8 a That is, Shavuot, the late spring feast of pilgrimage to Jerusalem; it is also known as the Feast of Harvest (see Exodus 23:16) or the Feast of Weeks (see Exodus 34:22). 19 b Literally in Asia ; Asia was a Roman province in what is now western Turkey. 19 c Prisca is a variant of Priscilla ; see Acts 18:2. 22 d Greek Marana Tha! from a transliteration of the Aramaic, an exclamation of approaching divine judgment 24 e SBL, WH, and NA do not include Amen. |