For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that.
Parallel translations
- KJV For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
- BSB For they refreshed my spirit and yours as well. Show your appreciation, therefore, to such men.
- NKJV For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
- NASB For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
- NLT They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.
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
These visitors refreshed Paul's spirit and the Corinthians', so Paul tells the church to recognize such people. Encouragers deserve grateful acknowledgment.
Overview
To 'refresh the spirit' describes the genuine emotional and spiritual encouragement that faithful fellow believers provide (compare Philemon 7, 20). Paul instructs the church to give due recognition to those who serve in this quiet but vital way. The verse models the mutual upbuilding that marks the body of Christ, where members strengthen one another in love.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Phlm 1:7For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
- 2 Cor 7:13Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
- Rom 15:32that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest.
- Prov 25:13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
- Prov 25:25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
- 1 Th 5:12But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,
- Col 4:8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
- 1 Th 3:6–7But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;
- Phlm 1:20Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.
- 3 Jn 1:4I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.
- 2 Cor 7:6–7Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
- 3 Jn 1:11–12Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.
- Heb 13:7Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
- Phil 2:28–29I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
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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 16:18 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.