16:1 {Now concerning the collection for the saints} (peri de tes logias tes eis tous hagious). Paul has discussed all the problems raised by the Corinthians. Now he has on his own heart the collection for the saints in Jerusalem (see chapters #2Co 8; 9). this word logia (or -eia) is now known to be derived from a late verb logeuw, to collect, recently found in papyri and inscriptions (Deissmann, _Bible Studies_, p. 143). The word logia is chiefly found in papyri, ostraca, and inscriptions that tell of religious collections for a god or a temple (Deissmann, _Light from the Ancient East_, p. 105). The introduction of this topic may seem sudden, but the Corinthians were behind with their part of it. They may even have asked further about it. Paul feels no conflict between discussion of the resurrection and the collection. {So also do ye} (houtws kai humas poiesate). Paul had given orders (dietaxa) to the churches of Galatia and now gives them like commands. As a matter of fact, they had promised a long time before this (#2Co 8:10; 9:1-5). Now do what you pledged.

16:2 {Upon the first day of the week} (kata mian sabbatou). For the singular sabbatou (sabbath) for week see #Lu 18:12; Mr 16:9. For the use of the cardinal mian in sense of ordinal prwten after Hebrew fashion in LXX (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 672) as in #Mr 16:2; Lu 24:1; Ac 20:7. Distributive use of kata also. {Lay by him in store} (par' heautwi tiqetw qesaurizwn). By himself, in his home. Treasuring it (cf. #Mt 6:19f. for qesaurizw). Have the habit of doing it, tiqetw (present imperative). {As he may prosper} (hoti ean euodwtai). Old verb from eu, well, and hodos, way or journey, to have a good journey, to prosper in general, common in LXX. In N.T. only here and #Ro 1:10; 3Jo 1:2. It is uncertain what form euodwtai is, present passive subjunctive, perfect passive indicative, or even perfect passive subjunctive (Moulton, _Prolegomena_, p. 54). The old MSS. had no accents. Some MSS. even have euodwqei (first aorist passive subjunctive). But the sense is not altered. hoti is accusative of general reference and ean can occur either with the subjunctive or indicative. this rule for giving occurs also in #2Co 8:12. Paul wishes the collections to be made before he comes.

16:3 {When I arrive} (hotan paragenwmai). Whenever I arrive, indefinite temporal conjunction hotan and second aorist middle subjunctive. {Whomsoever ye shall approve by letters} (hous ean dokimasete di' epistolwn). Indefinite relative with ean and aorist subjunctive of dokimazw (to test and so approve as in #Php 1:10). "By letters" to make it formal and regular and Paul would approve their choice of messengers to go with him to Jerusalem (#2Co 8:20ff.). Curiously enough no names from Corinth occur in the list in #Ac 20:4. {To carry} (apenegkein). Second aorist active infinitive of apoferw, to bear away. {Bounty} (carin). Gift, grace, as in #2Co 8:4-7. As a matter of fact, the messengers of the churches (apostoloi ekklesiwn #2Co 8:23) went along with Paul to Jerusalem (#Ac 20:4f.).

16:4 {And if it be meet for me to go also} (ean de axion ei tou kame poreuesqai). "If the collection be worthy of the going as to me also." Condition of third class (ean--ei) and the articular infinitive in the genitive (tou) after axion. The accusative of general reference (kame, me also) with the infinitive. So the awkward phrase clears up.

16:5 {When I shall have passed through Macedonia} (hotan makedonian dielqw). "Whenever I pass through (second aorist active subjunctive of diercomai) Macedonia" (see construction in verse #3). {I do pass through} (diercomai). I plan to pass through, futuristic use of present indicative.

16:6 {It may be} (tucon). Neuter accusative of second aorist active participle of tugcanw used as an adverb (in Plato and Xenophon, but nowhere else in N.T.). {Or even winter} (e kai paraceimasw). Future active of late verb paraceimazw (ceimwn, winter). See on ¯Ac 27:12; 28:11; Tit 3:12. He did stay in Corinth for three months (#Ac 20:3), probably the coming winter. {Where ever I go} (hou ean poreuwmai). Indefinite local clause with subjunctive. As a matter of fact, Paul had to flee from a conspiracy in Corinth (#Ac 20:3).

16:7 {Now by the way} (arti en parodwi). Like our "by the way" (parodos), incidentally. {If the Lord permit} (ean ho kurios epitreyei). Condition of the third class. Paul did everything en kuriwi (Cf. #Ac 18:21).

16:8 {Until Pentecost} (hews tes pentekostes). He writes them in the spring before pentecost. Apparently the uproar by Demetrius hurried Paul away from Ephesus (#Ac 20:1).

16:9 {For a great and effectual door is opened unto me} (qura gar moi anewigen megale kai energes). Second perfect active indicative of anoigw, to open. Intransitive, stands wide open at last after his years there (#Ac 20:31). A wide open door. What does he mean by energes? It is a late word in the _Koin‚_. In the papyri a medical receipt has it for "tolerably strong." The form energos in the papyri is used of a mill "in working order," of "tilled land," and of "wrought iron." In the N.T. it occurs in #Phm 1:6; Heb 4:12 of "the word of God" as "energes" (powerful). Paul means that he has at least a great opportunity for work in Ephesus. {And there are many adversaries} (kai antikeimenoi polloi). "And many are lying opposed to me," lined up against me. These Paul mentions as a reason for staying in, not for leaving, Ephesus. Read #Ac 19 and see the opposition from Jews and Gentiles with the explosion under the lead of Demetrius. And yet Paul suddenly leaves. He hints of much of which we should like to know more (#1Co 15:32; 2Co 1:8f.).

16:10 {That he be without fear} (hina afobws genetai). Evidently he had reason to fear the treatment that Timothy might receive in Corinth as shown in #4:17-21.

16:11 {For I expect him} (ekdecomai gar auton). Apparently later Timothy had to return to Ephesus without much success before Paul left and was sent on to Macedonia with Erastus (#Ac 19:22) and Titus sent to Corinth whom Paul qen arranged to meet in Troas (#2Co 2:12).

16:12 {And it was not at all his will to come now} (kai pantws ouk en qelema hina nun elqei). Adversative use of kai = "but." Apollos had left Corinth in disgust over the strife there which involved him and Paul (#1Co 1-4). He had had enough of partisan strife over preachers.

16:13 {Watch ye} (gregoreite). Stay awake. Late present from egregora second perfect of egeirw, to awake. {Quit you like men} (andrizesqe). Play the man. Middle voice, show yourselves men. From aner, a man.

16:15 {Ye know} (oidate). _Koin‚_ form for second perfect indicative used as present of horaw. Parenthetic clause through rest of the verse. Stephanas is mentioned also in #1:16 and in #16:17. For aparce see on ¯15:20,23. {They have set themselves} (etaxan heautous). Remarkable statement worthy of attention today. this noble family appointed themselves to be ministers to the saints that needed it (the poor and needy). Personal work for Christ is still the only way to win the world for Christ, voluntary personal work. If all Christians did it!

16:16 {That ye also be in subjection unto such} (hina kai humeis hupotassesqe tois toioutois). this is the exhortation begun in verse #15. The family of Stephanas took the lead in good works. Do ye also follow such leaders. this is our great problem today, to find great leaders and many loyal followers. this would solve all church problems, great leadership and great following. Lend a hand.

16:17 {At the coming} (epi tei parousiai). At the coming here of Stephanas, etc., the very word used of the parousia of Christ (#15:23). {That which was lacking on your part they supplied} (to humeteron husterema houtoi aneplerwsan). Either "these filled up my lack of you" or "these filled up your lack of me." Either makes perfectly good sense and both were true. Which Paul meant we cannot tell.

16:18 {For they refreshed my spirit and yours} (anepausan gar to emon pneuma kai to humwn). They did both. The very verb used by Jesus in #Mt 11:28 for the refreshment offered by him to those who come to him, fellowship with Jesus, and here fellowship with each other.

16:19 {The churches of Asia} (hai ekklesiai tes asias). True of the Roman province (#Ac 10:10,26; Col 1:6; 2:1; 4:13,16). The gospel spread rapidly from Ephesus. {With the church that is in their house} (sun tei kat' oikon autwn ekklesiai). Paul had long ago left the synagogue for the school house of Tyrannus (#Ac 19:9). But Aquila and Prisca opened their house here for the services. The churches had to meet where they could. Paul had labored and lived with this family in Corinth (#Ac 18:2) and now again in Ephesus (#Ac 18:19; 20:34). It was their habit wherever they lived (#Ro 16:5).

16:20 {With a holy kiss} (en filemati hagiwi). In the synagogue men kissed men and women kissed women. this was the Christian custom at a later date and apparently so here. See #1Th 5:26; 2Co 13:12; Ro 3:8; 1Pe 5:14. It seems never to have been promiscuous between the sexes.

16:21 {Of me Paul with mine own hand} (tei emei ceiri paulou). Literally, "With the hand of me Paul." The genitive paulou is in apposition with the possessive pronoun emei which is in the instrumental case just as in #2Th 3:17, the sign in every epistle. He dictated, but signed at the end. If we only had that signature on that scrap of paper.