1 Corinthians 16:3
New International Version
Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.

New Living Translation
When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.

Berean Standard Bible
Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.

Berean Literal Bible
And when I shall have arrived, whomever you might approve, with letters I will send these to carry your bounty to Jerusalem.

King James Bible
And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

New King James Version
And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.

New American Standard Bible
When I arrive, whomever you approve, I will send them with letters to take your gift to Jerusalem;

NASB 1995
When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;

NASB 1977
And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I shall send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;

Legacy Standard Bible
And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem,

Amplified Bible
When I arrive, I will send whomever you approve with letters [of authorization] to take your gift [of charity and love] to Jerusalem;

Christian Standard Bible
When I arrive, I will send with letters those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When I arrive, I will send with letters those you recommend to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.

American Standard Version
And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem:

Contemporary English Version
Choose some followers to take the money to Jerusalem. I will send them on with the money and with letters which show that you approve of them.

English Revised Version
And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve by letters, them will I send to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When I come, I will give letters of introduction to the people whom you choose. You can send your gift to Jerusalem with them.

Good News Translation
After I come, I shall give letters of introduction to those you have approved, and send them to take your gift to Jerusalem.

International Standard Version
When I arrive, I will send letters along with the men you approve to take your gift to Jerusalem.

Majority Standard Bible
Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.

NET Bible
Then, when I arrive, I will send those whom you approve with letters of explanation to carry your gift to Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality to Jerusalem.

Weymouth New Testament
And when I am with you, whatever brethren you accredit by letter I will send to carry your kind gift to Jerusalem.

World English Bible
When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and whenever I may come, whomsoever you may approve, through letters, these I will send to carry your favor to Jerusalem;

Berean Literal Bible
And when I shall have arrived, whomever you might approve, with letters I will send these to carry your bounty to Jerusalem.

Young's Literal Translation
and whenever I may come, whomsoever ye may approve, through letters, these I will send to carry your favour to Jerusalem;

Smith's Literal Translation
And when I be present, whom ye approve by letters, these will I send to carry your grace to Jerusalem.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when I shall be with you, whomsoever you shall approve by letters, them will I send to carry your grace to Jerusalem.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when I am present, whomever you shall approve through letters, these I shall send to bear your gifts to Jerusalem.

New American Bible
And when I arrive, I shall send those whom you have approved with letters of recommendation to take your gracious gift to Jerusalem.

New Revised Standard Version
And when I arrive, I will send any whom you approve with letters to take your gift to Jerusalem.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when I come, whomsoever you may select, I will send with a letter, to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when I shall come, those whom you elect I shall send with a letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And when I come, whatever persons you approve, I will send with letters to carry your favor to Jerusalem.

Godbey New Testament
But when I may be present, whomsoever you may approve by your letters, these will I send to carry away your benefaction to Jerusalem:

Haweis New Testament
But when I come, whosoever you shall approve by letters, those will I send to carry your charity to Jerusalem.

Mace New Testament
and when I come, I shall send such as you shall approve of, who will convey letters, and your kind present to Jerusalem.

Weymouth New Testament
And when I am with you, whatever brethren you accredit by letter I will send to carry your kind gift to Jerusalem.

Worrell New Testament
And, when I arrive, whomsoever ye may approve, the same will I send with letters to carry your bounty to Jerusalem;

Worsley New Testament
And when I am with you, whomsoever ye shall approve, I will send, with your letters, to carry your bounty to Jerusalem.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Collection for the Saints
2On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed. 3Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4And if it is advisable for me to go also, they can travel with me.…

Cross References
2 Corinthians 8:18-21
Along with Titus we are sending the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in the gospel. / More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the gracious offering we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help. / We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift. ...

2 Corinthians 9:5
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.

Acts 24:17
After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.

Romans 15:25-28
Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there. / For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. / They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings. ...

Galatians 2:10
They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Acts 11:29-30
So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. / This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.

2 Corinthians 8:1-4
Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia. / In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity. / For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord, ...

2 Corinthians 9:1-2
Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you. / For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.

Acts 20:4
Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.

2 Corinthians 8:16-17
But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you. / For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.

2 Corinthians 8:6
So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.

2 Corinthians 8:19
More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the gracious offering we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.

2 Corinthians 8:23
As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

2 Corinthians 9:12-13
For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. / Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.

2 Corinthians 8:24
In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.


Treasury of Scripture

And when I come, whomsoever you shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality to Jerusalem.

when.

1 Corinthians 4:19-21
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power…

1 Corinthians 11:34
And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

whomsoever.

Acts 6:1-6
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration…

2 Corinthians 8:19-24
And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: …

liberality.

2 Corinthians 8:4,6,19
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints…

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Approve Arrive Carry Favour Gift Gracious Introduction Jerusalem Kind Letters Money Selection Together Whatever Whenever Whomever Whomsoever
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Approve Arrive Carry Favour Gift Gracious Introduction Jerusalem Kind Letters Money Selection Together Whatever Whenever Whomever Whomsoever
1 Corinthians 16
1. He exhorts them to a collection for the brothers at Jerusalem.
10. Commends Timothy;
13. and after friendly admonitions,
16. concludes his epistle with various salutations.














Then, on my arrival
The phrase "on my arrival" indicates the Apostle Paul's intention to personally oversee the process of delivering the collection to Jerusalem. The Greek word for "arrival" (παρουσία, parousia) often denotes presence or coming, emphasizing Paul's active role and personal involvement. Historically, this reflects the early church's practice of accountability and transparency in handling financial matters, ensuring that the collection was managed with integrity.

I will send letters
The use of "letters" (ἐπιστολάς, epistolas) here refers to written communications that would authenticate the bearers of the gift. In the ancient world, letters served as official documents that provided authority and legitimacy. This practice underscores the importance of trust and verification in the early Christian community, ensuring that the funds were delivered to the intended recipients.

with those you recommend
The phrase "those you recommend" highlights the communal aspect of decision-making in the early church. The Greek word for "recommend" (δοκιμάζω, dokimazo) means to test or approve. This implies that the Corinthians were to select trustworthy individuals who had been tested and found reliable. It reflects the biblical principle of appointing faithful stewards, as seen in other scriptural contexts where character and reputation are paramount.

to carry your gift
The term "gift" (χάρισμα, charisma) in this context refers to the financial contribution collected for the Jerusalem church. The use of "gift" emphasizes the voluntary and gracious nature of the offering, rooted in the Greek concept of grace (χάρις, charis). This reflects the early Christian understanding of giving as an act of grace and fellowship, supporting the unity and mutual care within the body of Christ.

to Jerusalem
Jerusalem was the center of the early Christian church and held significant spiritual and historical importance. The collection for the Jerusalem church was a tangible expression of solidarity and support from the Gentile believers to their Jewish brethren. This act of generosity served to bridge cultural and ethnic divides, fostering unity within the diverse body of Christ. Historically, it also reflects the socio-economic challenges faced by the Jerusalem church, necessitating support from the wider Christian community.

(3) Whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters.--Better, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send by letters to bring your gifts to Jerusalem. The Apostle had not made up his mind finally whether he would take the gift himself or send it by messengers, whom he would accredit with letters, to the Church at Jerusalem. He would probably be influenced by the amount collected, and by the urgency, or otherwise, of the needs of those at Jerusalem at the time. The Apostle was, in one sense, the humblest of men; but he valued highly the dignity of his apostolic office, and if but a very small sum were ready for the Church at Jerusalem, he would have felt it to be beneath the dignity of his office, though not of himself, to be the bearer of such an offering. The course finally adopted was that the Apostle went himself, and the selected brethren with him (Acts 21:15).

Verse 3. - Whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send. It is difficult to see why the translators rendered the clause thus, unless they disliked to face the certainty that the apostle must have written many letters which are no longer extant. The true rendering is, Whomsoever ye approve, these I will send with letters. The letters would be letters of introduction or commendation (Acts 18:27; Romans 16:1; 2 Corinthians 3:1) to the apostles at Jerusalem. Your liberality; literally, your grace or favour; i.e. the token of your voluntary affection.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then,
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

on my arrival,
παραγένωμαι (paragenōmai)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3854: From para and ginomai; to become near, i.e. Approach; by implication, to appear publicly.

I will send
πέμψω (pempsō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3992: To send, transmit, permit to go, put forth.

letters
ἐπιστολῶν (epistolōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 1992: A letter, dispatch, epistle, message. From epistello; a written message.

with
δι’ (di’)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

those
τούτους (toutous)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

you recommend
δοκιμάσητε (dokimasēte)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1381: From dokimos; to test; by implication, to approve.

to carry
ἀπενεγκεῖν (apenenkein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 667: To carry, bear away (sometimes with violence). From apo and phero; to bear off.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

gift
χάριν (charin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Jerusalem.
Ἰερουσαλήμ (Ierousalēm)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2419: Of Hebrew origin; Hierusalem, the capitol of Palestine.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 16:3 When I arrive I will send whoever (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 16:2
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