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1 Corinthians 16:18

For they refreshed my spirit and yours as well. Show your appreciation, therefore, to such men.
1 Corinthians 16:18 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that.
  • KJV For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
  • 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 1:7I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
  • 2 Cor 7:13On account of this, we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were even more delighted by the joy of Titus. For his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.
  • Rom 15:32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
  • Prov 25:13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
  • Prov 25:25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
  • 1 Th 5:12But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction.
  • Col 4:8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
  • 1 Th 3:6–7But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
  • Phlm 1:20Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
  • 3 Jn 1:4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
  • 2 Cor 7:6–7But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
  • 3 Jn 1:11–12Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
  • Heb 13:7Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
  • Phil 2:28–29Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (2)

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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.