📖WEB · 1 Corinthians 16:15
What does 1 Corinthians 16:15 mean?
"Now 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),"
— 1 Corinthians 16:15 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Now concerning Apollos, the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!
Let all that you do be done in love.
Now 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),
that you also be in subjection to such, and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.
I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.
For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that.
Explanation
1 Corinthians 16:15 comes from the closing section of Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church, where he shifts from doctrinal instruction to practical matters — travel plans, greetings, and personal exhortations. Here Paul begins a request to the believers in Corinth by reminding them of a family they already know well: the household of Stephanas. He notes two things about this household — they were "the first fruits of Achaia," meaning they were among the earliest converts to Christianity in that Roman province (the region surrounding Corinth), and they had devoted themselves to serving fellow believers, whom Paul calls "the saints."
In plain language, Paul is saying: "I have a favor to ask of you, and to make my case, let me remind you who Stephanas and his household are — they were the first to believe here, and they've made it their mission to serve God's people." This sets up the appeal that follows in verses 16-18, where Paul urges the church to submit to and honor people like Stephanas and his co-workers because of their faithful labor.
Theologically, this verse highlights two important themes. First, the phrase "first fruits" carries biblical weight — in the Old Testament, first fruits were the initial and best portion of a harvest, offered to God as a sign that the whole harvest belonged to him. Applying this term to Stephanas's household suggests they were a kind of down payment or preview of the larger harvest of souls that would come from Achaia. Second, and more directly relevant to the verse itself, is the model of service being highlighted. Paul doesn't commend this household for e
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