Chapter
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Verse

1 Corinthians 16:15

ESV Now I urge you, brothers — you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints —
NIV You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters,
NASB Now I urge you, brothers and sisters: you know the household of Stephanas, that they are the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to ministry to the saints;
CSB Brothers and sisters, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the firstfruits of Achaia and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you
NLT You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters,
KJV 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,)
NKJV I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—

What does 1 Corinthians 16:15 mean?

Paul recognizes a man named Stephanas and his family from Corinth. He says they were the first converts to Christianity in Achaia. Corinth was the capital of the Roman province of Achaia, and it's possible the name referred not to the whole province but an area closer to Corinth. Paul mentioned at the start of this letter that he personally had baptized Stephanas and his household.

It's likely that Paul is mentioning Stephanas here at the end of the letter because he is one of the three men who came to visit Paul in Ephesus, perhaps bringing the letter from Corinth that Paul replies to throughout this letter.

After coming to Christ, Stephanas and his household went all in on following Christ. Paul writes that they devoted themselves to the service of the saints, meaning all the others who came to Christ after them. The language suggests that Stephanas and family set themselves aside for this specific service of meeting the needs of God's people.
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