When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.
Parallel translations
- KJV And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
- BSB Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
- NKJV And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
- NASB When I arrive, whomever you approve, I will send them with letters to take your gift to Jerusalem;
- NLT When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.
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 will send approved messengers with letters to carry the gift to Jerusalem. It matters because it shows careful integrity in handling the church's money.
Overview
Paul arranges for the Corinthians themselves to choose trusted men to deliver their gift. His concern for accountability guards the offering's integrity and the reputation of the gospel. This care models transparency and honesty in handling resources given to the Lord's work.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 2 Cor 8:18–24We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known through all the assemblies.
- 2 Cor 8:4begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.
- 2 Cor 8:6So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.
- Acts 6:1–6Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
- 1 Cor 4:19–21But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.
- 1 Cor 11:34But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest your coming together be for judgment. The rest I will set in order whenever I come.
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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 16:3 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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