1 Corinthians 16:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

NIV: because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

NASB: for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

CSB: because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me--yet many oppose me.

NLT: There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.

KJV: For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

NKJV: For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Paul has been describing his travel plans to the Corinthians, including his plan to come and spend some time with them within the year before winter sets in. He does not plan to leave Ephesus, however, until Pentecost—either the literal date or the season. Now he explains why.

"A wide door for effective work has opened to [Paul]" in Ephesus. He often uses the analogy of a door when describing the openness of a region to hearing the gospel and trusting in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3; Acts 14:27). However, there are also many enemies opposed to the gospel at the same time. In fact, throughout Paul's ministry, great opposition to the gospel flared up in response to great interest in the gospel, often placing him in danger as more and more people came to faith in Christ.

Once again, Paul demonstrates in this statement that he views opposition to the gospel as part of the evidence that it is being effective. His instinct is not to run but to double down on his ministry when things begin to get heated.

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.

Accessed 5/5/2024 4:07:49 AM