1 Corinthians 16:9 kjv
For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
1 Corinthians 16:9 nkjv
For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
1 Corinthians 16:9 niv
because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
1 Corinthians 16:9 esv
for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
1 Corinthians 16:9 nlt
There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.
1 Corinthians 16 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 16:9 | For a great door and an effective one has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. | Present Verse |
| Acts 14:27 | And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done through them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. | Highlights the "door of faith" opened |
| Acts 18:9-11 | The Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not fear, but speak, and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people." | Assures Paul of God's presence amid opposition |
| 2 Cor 2:12 | Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened to me in the Lord, | Mentions another "door" opened in the Lord |
| Col 4:3 | Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. | Prayer as essential for effective ministry |
| Rom 16:25-26 | Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but now has been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— | The mystery of the gospel preached to all nations |
| 2 Tim 4:5 | As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. | Charge to evangelize and fulfill ministry |
| Acts 19:8-10 | And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and persuading about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, lecturing daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. | Effective ministry in Ephesus with opposition |
| 1 Thess 2:18 | For we wanted to come to you even I, Paul, more than once—but Satan hindered us. | Satan hindering ministry |
| Eph 6:10-12 | Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. | Spiritual warfare against adversaries |
| Matt 10:16 | "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be watchful as serpents and innocent as doves. | Jesus warns of opposition to disciples |
| John 10:9 | I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. | Jesus as the door to salvation |
| John 14:6 | Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." | Jesus as the unique way to God |
| Phil 1:12 | I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, | Opposition advancing the gospel |
| 2 Tim 2:9 | but the word of God is not chained. | The Word of God is not bound |
| Gal 5:7 | You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? | Hindrances to obeying the truth |
| Rom 15:18-19 | For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit. So I completed my preaching of the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum. | Paul's commission and reach |
| Rev 3:7-8 | "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one will open. I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut.'" | God setting open doors |
| Ps 2:1-4 | Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed... | Nations opposing God and His Anointed |
| Luke 21:12-15 | "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Set your hearts therefore not to prepare beforehand how to defend yourselves, for I will give you such words and such wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to contradict or oppose you." | Opposition as an opportunity for witness |
1 Corinthians 16 verses
1 Corinthians 16 9 Meaning
For a great door and an effective one has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. This verse encapsulates the Apostle Paul's awareness of significant opportunities for ministry coupled with substantial opposition. He acknowledges a door for proclaiming the gospel that is not only large in scope but also fruitful in its impact. Simultaneously, he recognizes the presence of numerous opponents who are actively seeking to hinder this work.
1 Corinthians 16 9 Context
First Corinthians 16 focuses on concluding matters for the Corinthian church. Paul addresses the collection for the Jerusalem saints, gives instructions about his own future travel plans, and offers personal greetings. Within this closing chapter, verse 9 stands out as a declaration of Paul's apostolic determination and discernment amidst the realities of ministry. The specific context in Corinth was marked by factions, spiritual gifts misused, and theological disputes, all of which created fertile ground for opposition to the gospel message and apostolic authority. Paul's statement here reflects his ongoing missionary strategy, where perceived opportunities for effective evangelism were often accompanied by significant resistance.
1 Corinthians 16 9 Word Analysis
- For (γάρ - gar): A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation. It explains why Paul will remain longer in Ephesus or expresses his present circumstances and outlook.
- a great (μεγάλη - megalē): Adjective meaning large, wide, extensive, important, or significant. Refers to the considerable scope and potential impact of the opportunity.
- door (θύρα - thyra): Noun, a portal, gate, entrance. Metaphorically, it represents an opportunity, access, or a way to enter or proceed. This "door" is not a physical one but a divine opening for ministry.
- and (καί - kai): A conjunction connecting phrases or clauses, signifying addition.
- an effective (καί - kai): This repetition of "kai" links "great door" with "effective." The intended meaning leans towards "and moreover an effective one."
- and (εἰς - eis): In some manuscript traditions, another "kai" appears here, or the phrase is structured differently. If "kai" again, it signifies the effectiveness is an additional quality.
- effective (ἐνεργής - energēs): Adjective meaning active, operative, energetic, producing results. It signifies that the opportunity is not just open, but is also conducive to producing fruit and impact for the gospel.
- one (εἴσοδος - eisodos): Noun, an entrance, a way in. Often translated as "door" or "entry." When linked with "great," it emphasizes the breadth of the opening.
- has opened (ἀνέῳξεν - anēixen): Verb, aorist tense of ἀνοίγω (anoigō), meaning to open, unfold, reveal. This indicates a past action with present results; the door has been opened and remains so. It implies divine initiative.
- to me (μοί - moi): Dative pronoun, indicating the recipient or beneficiary of the opened door. Paul is the one granted this ministry opportunity.
- and (καί - kai): Conjunction connecting the two parts of the statement: the opportunity and the opposition.
- there are (εἰσιν - eisin): Verb, present tense of εἰμί (eimi), meaning "to be." Indicates the existence or presence of something.
- many (πολλοί - polloi): Adjective, plural form of πολύς (polys), meaning numerous, abundant. Signifies a large quantity.
- adversaries (ἀντικείμενοι - antikeimenoi): Present participle from ἀντίκειμαι (antikeimai), meaning to oppose, to set oneself against, to be hostile. It describes those who actively stand against Paul and his ministry, including people, spiritual forces, or difficult circumstances.
Word Group Analysis
- "a great door and an effective one": This phrase signifies a ministry opportunity that is both broad in its reach (great) and highly productive (effective). It suggests a specific place or circumstance where the gospel can be preached with significant results. The "door" metaphor, used throughout Scripture, points to God's provision of access for His work.
- "and there are many adversaries": This highlights the consequential nature of such a significant and effective opening. Greater opportunities often attract greater opposition. The adversaries could represent a range of individuals or forces determined to thwart the spread of the gospel, reflecting the reality of spiritual conflict in ministry.
1 Corinthians 16 9 Bonus Section
The metaphor of a "door" is rich in biblical usage. In the Old Testament, doors often represented access to places of worship or communion with God (e.g., Psalm 24:7). In the New Testament, Jesus identifies Himself as "the door" for salvation (John 10:9). Paul's use here adapts this concept to the opening of ministry opportunities, indicating a divinely granted access point for proclaiming God's message. The "adversaries" he mentions align with the spiritual warfare described in Ephesians 6, where believers are called to stand firm against the devil's schemes and spiritual forces of evil. Paul's awareness of both the potential and the perils of ministry underscores the practical, ongoing nature of apostolic labor, driven by faith in the One who opens doors that no one can shut (Revelation 3:8).
1 Corinthians 16 9 Commentary
Paul's declaration in 1 Corinthians 16:9 reveals a keen spiritual perception. He understood that a significant "door" for proclaiming the gospel had been opened in Ephesus, his current base of operations. This door was "great," suggesting an extensive sphere of influence, and "effective," implying that through it, the Word of God was bearing much fruit. However, such openings are never without their challenges. Paul candidly acknowledges the presence of "many adversaries." These were not merely physical opponents, but likely included those who actively opposed the truth of the gospel, spiritual forces seeking to hinder the work (as referenced in Eph 6:12), and the general difficulties inherent in extensive evangelism. Paul's balanced view—recognizing both divine opportunity and human/spiritual opposition—is characteristic of his resilient ministry. His focus remained on God's power to open doors and God's provision to overcome the adversaries.
Practical Usage
- Discernment in Ministry: Believers today can learn from Paul's balanced perspective. When a ministry opportunity seems unusually open and fruitful, it's wise to be spiritually prepared for increased opposition.
- Perseverance: Knowing that opposition is a sign that significant work is happening can be a motivator to persevere rather than retreat when faced with challenges.
- Dependence on God: Paul's strength came from recognizing the Lord's provision and presence amidst adversaries. Similarly, believers should rely on God for wisdom and strength when facing difficulties in serving Him.