I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—
Parallel translations
- WEB Now I beg you, brothers (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints),
- KJV I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
- BSB You 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,
- NASB Now I urge you, brothers and sisters: you know the household of Stephanas, that they are the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to ministry to the saints;
- NLT You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul commends the household of Stephanas, the first converts in Achaia, who devoted themselves to serving fellow believers. It honors faithful, self-giving service.
Overview
As the 'first fruits of Achaia,' this household was among the earliest converts in the region (Paul baptized them, 1 Corinthians 1:16) and a sign of more to come. Notably, they 'set themselves' to serve the saints, taking up ministry voluntarily rather than waiting to be appointed. Their example commends the gospel-shaped pattern of glad, ungrudging service to God's people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- 1 Cor 1:16(I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don’t know whether I baptized any other.)
- Rom 16:5Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.
- Rom 15:25But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints.
- 2 Cor 8:4begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.
- Rom 12:13contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.
- 2 Cor 9:1It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
- 1 Tim 5:10being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.
- 1 Pet 4:10As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.
- Rom 16:2that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.
- 1 Cor 16:17I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.
- Acts 18:12But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,
- 2 Cor 9:12–15For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;
- Heb 6:10For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.
- Acts 9:36–41Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
- Rom 15:31that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;
- Phlm 1:7For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
- Rev 14:4These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 16:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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