1 Corinthians 16 19

1 Corinthians 16:19 kjv

The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

1 Corinthians 16:19 nkjv

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

1 Corinthians 16:19 niv

The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.

1 Corinthians 16:19 esv

The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 16:19 nlt

The churches here in the province of Asia send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings.

1 Corinthians 16 verses

1 Corinthians 16 19 meaning

The verse conveys greetings from the Christian communities in the Roman province of Asia, specifically highlighting the prominent couple Aquila and Prisca (Priscilla). It indicates their significant involvement in the Christian mission, their deep spiritual fellowship expressed as "in the Lord," and notably, that their home served as a meeting place for a "church," illustrating the common practice of house churches in early Christianity. It underscores the interconnectedness and mutual care among the scattered Christian assemblies.

1 Corinthians 16 19 Context

First Corinthians chapter 16 concludes Paul’s extensive letter addressing various issues within the Corinthian church. Following discussions on resurrection, the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, and his travel plans, Paul extends personal greetings and exhortations. This verse, along with others in the concluding remarks (1 Cor 16:15-24), transitions from theological arguments and ethical instructions to expressions of Christian fellowship and personal connections, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the early church network. Historically, "Asia" here refers to the Roman province of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), of which Ephesus was the capital and a major center for Paul's ministry (Acts 19). During this period, dedicated church buildings were uncommon, and Christian communities typically gathered in private homes, making "the church that is in their house" a standard feature of early Christian life.

1 Corinthians 16 19 Word analysis

• The churches (`hai ekklēsiai`, αἱ ἐκκλησίαι): From `ekklēsia` (assembly, congregation), plural form. This denotes organized communities of believers, not simply individuals. It highlights the widespread and institutional (though nascent) nature of Christianity even at this early stage. This also underscores a sense of shared identity and mutual recognition across geographical boundaries.
• of Asia (`tēs Asias`, τῆς Ἀσίας): Refers to the Roman province of Asia, located in western Asia Minor. This region was a hotbed of early Christian missionary activity, especially centered around Ephesus where Paul spent significant time. The churches mentioned were distinct from Corinth yet connected by shared faith and apostolic ministry.
• greet (`aspazontai`, ἀσπάζονται): A standard Hellenistic greeting, implying warmth, respect, and fellowship. In a Christian context, it carries the nuance of mutual love and recognition of shared spiritual kinship in Christ, transcending social distinctions.
• you (`hymas`, ὑμᾶς): The direct address to the Corinthians. This reinforces the idea of interconnectedness, as greetings passed between distant communities.
• Aquila (`Akylas`, Ἀκύλας): A Jewish Christian, a tentmaker by trade, who along with his wife Prisca, was a devoted co-worker with Paul. They were significant figures in the early church. Paul likely met them in Corinth (Acts 18:2-3).
• and Prisca (`kai Priska`, καὶ Πρίσκα): Often called Priscilla (a diminutive form) elsewhere in Acts and Paul's letters (e.g., Acts 18:2, 18:26; Rom 16:3; 2 Tim 4:19). Her name is sometimes mentioned before Aquila's, possibly indicating her prominence or particular gifting in ministry (as seen in Acts 18:26, where they both instructed Apollos). The couple exemplify husband-and-wife ministry teams.
• greet (`aspazontai`, ἀσπάζονται): Repeated, emphasizing their specific, personal greeting in addition to the collective greeting from the churches.
• you much in the Lord (`hymas polla en Kyriō`, ὑμᾶς πολλὰ ἐν Κυρίῳ): The "much" (`polla`) intensifies the greeting, conveying abundant or hearty well-wishes. The phrase "in the Lord" (`en Kyriō`) is profoundly significant. It specifies the spiritual nature and source of their relationship and greeting. It means their connection is rooted in their shared faith in Jesus Christ, guiding their actions and affections. This isn't merely a secular greeting but one charged with divine meaning and belonging within the body of Christ, reinforcing the spiritual unity that binds believers together.
• with the church that is in their house (`syn tē kat’ oikon autōn ekklēsia`, σὺν τῇ κατ’ οἶκον αὐτῶν ἐκκλησίᾳ): This phrase refers to a `house church`. `kat' oikon` means "according to house" or "at the house." It was common for early Christian gatherings to occur in homes due to lack of dedicated public buildings, the intimate nature of fellowship, and at times, to avoid persecution. This demonstrates Aquila and Prisca's hospitality, leadership, and central role in their local Christian community. It signifies a locus of worship, teaching, fellowship, and mission. This also illustrates the organic, decentralized growth of early Christianity, dependent on believers opening their homes for ministry.

• The churches of Asia greet you: This group of words points to the expanding geographical reach of the Christian faith beyond its Jewish origins. It implies a network of established communities with shared doctrinal and relational ties, sending a collective message of fellowship. This counters any sense of isolation for the Corinthian church.
• Aquila and Prisca greet you much in the Lord: This highlights individuals recognized for their dedicated service within this network. Their intensified greeting ("much") and its specific qualification ("in the Lord") underscore a deep, Spirit-filled connection based on shared faith, reflecting sincere Christian affection and partnership in the gospel. It personalizes the larger collective greeting.
• with the church that is in their house: This phrase powerfully demonstrates the practical outworking of Christian community at the grassroots level. It reveals the `oikos` (household) as a fundamental unit for church assembly and activity. It emphasizes their spiritual leadership and generous hospitality, crucial for nurturing early Christian life. The presence of a "church" in their "house" shows a blending of domestic space with sacred community life, foundational to early Christianity.

1 Corinthians 16 19 Bonus section

• The Prominence of Prisca: It is notable that Prisca's name (or Priscilla) is mentioned before her husband Aquila's in five of the seven biblical references to them. This inversion from the traditional order often signifies her perhaps more prominent role, stronger leadership gifts, or more significant involvement in teaching (as seen with Apollos in Acts 18:26) or ministry alongside Paul.
• Significance of "in the Lord": This phrase frequently appears in Paul's letters (e.g., Eph 6:10, Col 4:7) and implies that Christian actions, relationships, and identities are transformed and defined by one's relationship with Christ. It is a powerful theological marker, indicating a fellowship not merely based on human affection but rooted in a divine reality.
• Implications of House Churches: The prevalence of house churches implies several aspects of early Christian life: intimacy, inclusivity (compared to pagan temples with their restrictions), resourcefulness (using existing structures), and a dynamic, organic growth unburdened by fixed temple architecture. They were crucial centers for discipleship, communal meals, worship, and missional outreach within a given locality.
• Polemics against Paganism (indirect): While not direct polemic, the "church in their house" indirectly contrasted with pagan worship in grand temples. It suggested a more personal, accessible, and community-focused faith rather than institutional and ritualistic devotion often associated with state-sponsored paganism. The unity implied by "churches of Asia" also contrasted with the fragmented, often rivalrous cults of the pagan world.

1 Corinthians 16 19 Commentary

This verse serves as a window into the interconnected and familial nature of the early Christian movement. It signifies not merely social etiquette but spiritual solidarity, with geographically dispersed churches and dedicated individuals like Aquila and Prisca extending warm, Christ-centered greetings to the Corinthian believers. The mention of "the church that is in their house" highlights the foundational role of house churches, demonstrating that Christian assembly and ministry were deeply rooted in private dwellings, often led by faithful lay people and reflecting profound hospitality. This structure allowed for intimate fellowship and facilitated rapid dissemination of the Gospel. It underscores that Christian unity and mutual edification were practical realities, sustained through personal connections and shared ministry in common spaces.