Lesson 14: The Apostle’s Farewell

IV. The Apostle’s Farewell 16:5-24

A. His personal requests (vv. 5-18)

1 Cor 16:5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

10 If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11 No one, then, should refuse to accept him. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity. 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, 16 to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

B. His final greetings (vv. 19-24)

1 Cor 16:19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. 20 All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse be on him.¹⁹⁶ Come, O Lord!¹⁹⁷ 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Comment: About “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (v. 20)

Paul closes several of his letters with this same admonition.¹⁹⁸ It may be a carry over from an OT greeting of family and friends,¹⁹⁹ but the use of “holy” may refer to the relationship between a believer and God. “[T]hus a ‘holy’ kiss [was probably] a kiss that belonged to the saints, God’s holy people” (Fee 1987:836). The equivalent today might be a “holy hug” or a “holy handshake.”

Comment: About “…in my own hand” (v. 21)

For the bulk of the letter, Paul has used an amanuensis (stenographer), probably Sosthenes (1:1). The apostle’s poor eyesight made his writing difficult. It is uncertain whether the change here is to make the letter more personal or to validate its authenticity.²⁰⁰ Either way, he has also used this method with other letters.²⁰¹

Transition: Let us look at [Read I and IV, but have them do II and III.]