Christ Gives the New Life
[45-58] And so the Word says, “The first human being, Adam, was given life by the Spirit; the last Adam, the Christ, was given a Spirit that gives life. But what is spiritual didn’t come first, but what is natural came first; and then what is spiritual. The first person was of the earth, and made of earth: the second person is God from heaven. As the earthly one was, so are the ones who are earthly: and as the Heavenly One is, so also will be those who are heavenly. And as we are like the earthly, we will also be like the Heavenly One. Now I say this, Christians, that our human bodies can’t go into the realm of God; nor do evil people get spiritual bodies. I’ll tell you a secret; We won’t all die, but we will all be changed, in a split second, in the blink of an eye, at the last sounding of the trumpet, the dead in Christ will be raised to everlasting life, and we will all be changed. This sinful body must put on sinless one, and this human body must put on a spiritual body. So when this sinful body has put on sinless one, and this human body has put on spiritual one, then this saying that is written will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. Where is the sting of death? Where is the victory of the grave? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the Word of God. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Christ, Yeshua. So, my dear Christians, be firm, unmoved, always doing well in the work Christ gives you, so that you know your work isn’t meaningless in Christ.
Offerings and Support of Ministers and Christians
16[1-9] Now, about the collection for the Christians, as I’ve told the churches of Galatia, do this as well. Every Sunday, let everyone of you bring the money you have to give, as God has given you, so that there won’t have to be a collection when I come. And when I come, whoever you approve by your letters, I will send to bring your kindness to Jerusalem. And if it is right that I go also, they’ll go with me. Now I’ll come to you, whenever I pass through Macedonia, because I will go that way. And it may be that I’ll stay, yes, and even spend the winter with you, so that you can send me on my journey wherever I go next. So I won’t see you now on the way; but I trust to stay with you for a while, if God allows it. But I’ll stay at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great chance for useful ministry has come to me, and there are many enemies.
[10-18] Now if Timothy comes, make sure he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the work of Christ, as I am. So make sure he’s not rejected: and send him away in peace, so that he can come back to me, because I’m waiting for him to come with the other Christians. Now about our coworker Apollos, I really wanted him to come to you with the other Christians: but he didn’t want to come at all right now; but he’ll come when he has the time. So watch, stay in the faith, act like adults, and be strong. And do everything in love. I beg you, Christians, because you know that those of the family of Stephanas are the first Christians of Achaia, and that they’ve completely given themselves to the ministry of the Christians, that you cooperate with people like this, and to everyone else who helps us, and does the work of Christ. I am happy about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they’ve given what you couldn’t. They’ve awakened both my spirit and yours: so accept people like this.
Final Greetings
[19-24] The churches of Asia say hello to you. Aquila and Priscilla say hello to you most lovingly in Christ, along with the church that meets in their house. All the coworkers in Christ say hello to you. Say hello to one another with a kiss of love. This is the greeting of me, Paul, written with my own hand. If anyone doesn’t love Yeshua, the Christ, let them be damned! Come, Christ Yeshua! May the grace of our Christ, Yeshua be with you. I send my love to you all in Christ, Yeshua. So be it!
