1 Corinthians 16:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.

NIV: Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.

NASB: and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go.

CSB: and perhaps I will remain with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go.

NLT: Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination.

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

NKJV: And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go.

This section of 1 Corinthians details Paul's plans to come and spend time with the church in person once again. He said in the previous verse that he planned to travel from Ephesus to the region of Macedonia to visit the churches there before arriving in Corinth.

The Macedonian churches included Thessalonica, Philippi, and Berea. Paul likely intended to stop at each in order to visit them and pick up their contribution to the collection for the suffering Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. The following verses show that Paul planned to travel during the summer and arrive in Corinth in time to spend the winter with them. This would allow him to renew his relationship with them and address the issues of this letter in person.

Second Corinthians, however, tells us these plans did not come together as Paul had hoped. He did eventually travel both to Macedonia and Corinth, but not on this anticipated timeline.

Paul has emphasized that he refused to take any financial support from the Corinthians for his own needs while he was working among them (1 Corinthians 9). Now, though, he states he will accept help when he departs again, likely meaning financial support for the journey, as well as traveling companions, especially if he accompanies a delegation to Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:3–4). The difference here is that this would be financially supporting ministry to others, and not themselves, something Paul felt could cloud the integrity of his ministry to those he served.

First Corinthians 16:5–11 describes Paul's plans to come and see the Corinthians in person within the year. First, he will stay in Ephesus to take advantage of an open door to the gospel, intending to leave at Pentecost to visit churches in Macedonia. He hopes to arrive in Corinth in time to spend the winter months with them. In the meantime, Timothy will arrive to represent him and the Lord to them. Paul warns them to put Timothy at ease and to send Timothy and his party back to Paul in peace.

Having finished the main teaching parts of his letter, Paul wraps up with some matters of business. He tells the Corinthians how to gather funds for a special contribution. He describes his travel plans, including his plan to arrive there before winter. He warns them to treat Timothy well and commends a delegation from Corinth that have come to see him. He concludes with greetings from other believers, along with a curse and a blessing. He curses those who do not love the Lord—here apparently meaning false teachers—and prays the grace of the Lord on everyone else.

First Corinthians 16 concludes Paul's long letter to the church in Corinth with several business matters. He instructs them on how to prepare a special contribution for needy Christians in Jerusalem. He describes his plan to visit them in person after wrapping up his ministry in Ephesus and stopping by churches in Macedonia. He reveals that Timothy is coming to them more quickly and that Apollos is not. Finally, he commends a delegation from Corinth that has come to see him. His final words in the letter are a declaration of love for all of them.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.