1 Corinthians 16 · Verse 15

1 Corinthians 16:15

I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
1 Corinthians 16:15, King James Version

1 Corinthians 16:15 in other translations

BSBYou know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers,
WEBNow I beg you, brothers—you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints—
ASVNow I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister unto the saints),
YLTAnd I entreat you, brethren, ye have known the household of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruit of Achaia, and to the ministration to the saints they did set themselves--
DARBYBut I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruits of Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the saints for service,)
BBENow I make my request to you, my brothers, for you have knowledge that the house of Stephanas is the first-fruits of Achaia, and that they have made themselves the servants of the saints,
WebsterI beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

What does 1 Corinthians 16:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
15. first-fruits of Achaia--the first Achæan converts (compare Ro 16:5). The image is from the first-fruits offered to the Lord (Le 23:10; compare 1Co 15:20). The members of this family had been baptized by Paul himself (1Co 1:16). addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints--Translate, "Set themselves, (that is, voluntarily) to minister unto the saints" (compare 2Co 8:4).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 15. I beseech you, brethren. The construction here is somewhat involved, but the sense is plain. The words, "I beseech you," in this verse, are evidently to be taken in connexion with 1Cor 16:16. "I beseech you that ye submit yourselves unto such," etc. The design is, to exhort them to pay proper deference to Stephanas, and to all who sustained the same rank and character; and the remainder of 1Cor 16:15 is designed to state the reason why they should show respect and kindness to the household of Stephanas.

Ye know the house. You are acquainted with the household, or family Probably a considerable portion, or all, of the family of Stephanas had been converted to the christian faith.

Of Stephanas. 1Cor 1:16. Paul there says, that he had baptized his family.

That it is the first fruits of Achaia. They were the first converted to the Christian religion in Achaia. Rom 16:5. Respecting Achaia, Acts 18:12.

That they have addicted themselves, etc. That they have devoted themselves to the service of Christians. That is, by aiding the ministry; by showing hospitality; by providing for their wants; by attending and aiding the apostles in their journeys, etc.

(f) "first fruits of Achaia" Rom 16:5 (+) "ministry" "service"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 Ye know the house of Stephanas - Ye know that Stephanas and his family have addicted them to the help of the followers of Christ; they have been the chief instruments of supporting the work of God in Achaia, of which work they themselves have been the first fruits. See the note on Rom 16:5.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 16:13-18

A Christian is always in danger, therefore should ever be on the watch. He should be fixed in the faith of the gospel, and never desert or give it up. By this faith alone he will be able to keep his ground in an hour of temptation. Christians should be careful that charity not only reigns in their hearts, but shines in their lives. There is a great difference between Christian firmness and feverish warmth and…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 16:13-18 →

1 Corinthians 16:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠαρακαλῶParakalōI exhortG3870
δὲdenowG1161
ὑμᾶς,humasyou,G4771
ἀδελφοί·adelphoibrothers;G80
οἴδατεoidateyou know
τὴνtēntheG3588
οἰκίανoikianhouseG3614
ΣτεφανᾶStephanaof StephanasG4734
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἐστὶνestinit isG1510
ἀπαρχὴaparchēfirstfruitG536
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
ἈχαΐαςAchaiasof AchaiaG882
καὶkaiandG2532
εἰςeistoG1519
διακονίανdiakonianserviceG1248
τοῖςtoisto theG3588
ἁγίοιςhagioissaintsG40
ἔταξανetaxanthey have devotedG5021
ἑαυτούς·he'autousthemselves;G1438

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 16:15

  • 1 Corinthians 1:16

    And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

  • Romans 16:5

    Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

  • Romans 15:25

    But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:1

    For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

  • 2 Corinthians 8:4

    Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

  • 1 Peter 4:10

    As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

  • Romans 16:2

    That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

  • Romans 12:13

    Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

  • 1 Timothy 5:10

    Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

  • Acts 18:12

    And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

  • Revelation 14:4

    These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:12-15

    For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the house.
17; 1:16
the first-fruits.
Ro 16:5; Re 14:4
to the.
Ac 9:36-41; Ro 12:13; 15:25; 16:2; 2Co 8:4; 9:1,12-15; 1Ti 5:10
Phm 1:7; Heb 6:10; 1Pe 4:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 16:14

    Let all your things be done with charity.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:15

    I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

  • 1 Corinthians 16:16

    That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y os ruego, hermanos, (ya sabéis que la casa de Estéfanas es las primicias de Acaya, y que se han dedicado al ministerio de los santos,)
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or je vous exhorte, frères – (vous connaissez la maison de Stéphanas, qu’elle est les prémices de l’Achaïe, et qu’ils se sont voués au service des saints,) –
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich ermahne euch aber, Brüder: Ihr kennet das Haus des Stephanas, daß es der Erstling von Achaja ist, und daß sie sich selbst den Heiligen zum Dienst verordnet haben;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Obsecro autem vos fratres, nostis domum Stephanæ, et Fortunati, et Achaici: quoniam sunt primitiæ Achaiæ, et in ministerium sanctorum ordinaverunt seipsos: