1 Corinthians 16:4
in 1 Corinthians 16And if it is advisable for me to go also, they can travel with me.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
and if it be meet for me to go also, they shall go with me.
KJV
And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
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This verse in 1 Corinthians 16
Commentary
11 notes on this versePaul is saying that if the collection is generous, he can go too. For if a bishop is going, he ought to take a large amount with him.
This site's exposition
the collection for the saints
on 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The collection is the fund for Jerusalem's poor, Gentile churches repaying in material aid the spiritual things they received (Romans 15:27). Setting it aside on the first day of every week makes giving weekly, private and proportionate.
This site's exposition
they can travel with me
Paul leaves his own going open, to be settled by what the need required. Acts 20:4 lists the delegates from several churches who travelled with him, and Romans 15:25 shows him setting out for Jerusalem with the gift. The plan was kept.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
"And if it be meet for me to go also, they shall go with me." Here again he exhorts them to liberality. As thus: "if it be so much," saith he, "as to require my presence also, neither will I decline this." But he did not in the first instance promise this, nor say, "When I am come I will carry it." For he would not have made so much of it, if he had so set it down from the first. Afterwards however he adds it well and seasonably. Here then you have the reason why he did not immediately promise, nor yet altogether hold his peace concerning it: but having said, "I will send," then at length he adds himself also. And here too again he leaves it to their own decision; in saying, "If it be meet for me to go also:" whereas this rested with them, namely, to make their collection large; so large even, as to affect his plans and cause him in person to make the journey.
The Medieval Church2 voices
And not only will I send those whom you accredit, but if it will be advisable, i.e., if there will be a great quantity, they will accompany me, by which he leads them to contribute well and liberally: "At present, however, I am going to …
If, he says, the collection is such that my service is also required, then I too will go. By this he also disposes them to generosity. He also wants to have witnesses that he will take nothing for himself. Therefore he says: they will go …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Note, Ministers are doing their proper business when they are promoting or helping in works of charity. Paul stirs up the Corinthians to gather for the relief of the churches in Judea, and he is ready to go with their messengers, to convey what is gathered; and he is still in the way of his duty, in the business of his office. Paul Promises to Visit Corinth.
), both when it fawns and when it frowns, when it tempts and when it terrifies. We must stand therefore in the faith of the gospel, if we would maintain our integrity.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens
3 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
And if it be meet that I go also,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
And if it be meet, etc. - If it be a business that requires my attendance, and it be judged proper for me to go to Jerusalem, I will take those persons for my companions. On the delicacy with which St. Paul managed the business of a collection for the poor, Archdeacon Paley makes the following appropriate remarks: - “The following observations will satisfy us concerning the purity of our apostle’s conduct in the suspicious business of a pecuniary contribution. “1st.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
And if it be meet ... - If it be judged desirable and best. If my presence can further the object; or will satisfy you better; or will be deemed necessary to guide and aid those who may be sent, I will be willing to go also. For some appropriate and valuable remarks in regard to the apostle Paul’s management of pecuniary matters, so as not to excite suspicion, and to preserve a blameless reputation, see Paley’s Horae Paulinae, chapter iv. No. 1, 3. Note.
The words behind it
10 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἐὰν | ean | If | G1437 → | 352 times |
| δὲ | de | then | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| ἄξιον | axion | suitable | G514 → | |
| ᾖ | e | it shall be | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| τοῦ | tou | for | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| κἀμὲ | kame | me also | G1473 →G2532 → | 839 times |
| πορεύεσθαι, | poreuesthai | to go, | G4198 → | 147 times |
| σὺν | sun | with | G4862 → | 128 times |
| ἐμοὶ | emoi | me myself | G1473 → | 839 times |
| πορεύσονται. | poreusontai | they will go. | G4198 → | 147 times |
ἐὰνIf
eanG1437 →352 times
δὲthen
deG1161 →2765 times
ἄξιονsuitable
axionG514 →
ᾖit shall be
eG1510 →2333 times
τοῦfor
touG3588 →19766 times
κἀμὲme also
πορεύεσθαι,to go,
poreuesthaiG4198 →147 times
σὺνwith
sunG4862 →128 times
ἐμοὶme myself
emoiG1473 →839 times
πορεύσονται.they will go.
poreusontaiG4198 →147 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Romans 15:25Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there.
it leads to
- Acts 24:17
After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Acts 19:21
After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as…
- Acts 20:22
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
- Acts 20:16
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
- Acts 24:17
Through
2 Corinthians 8:19More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering—the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help.
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 16:3–4
Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 1 Corinthians 16:3–4
Through
2 Corinthians 8:4they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
it leads to
- Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
- Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- 2 Corinthians 9:1
Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
- Galatians 6:10
Where this verse is studied
About 1 Corinthians
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the First Epistle to the Corinthians; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Corinthians 43; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Corinthians.