Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 16:9

What does 1 Corinthians 16:9 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 16:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 16:9 means

Paul stays in Ephesus because a substantial and effective opportunity for ministry has opened, even as many opponents resist. Fruitfulness and conflict often run together; doors God opens are not free from challenge. Paul reads both the welcome and the warfare as reasons to remain—there is work to do, and it is worth doing well. This perspective guards him from discouragement and excuses; hardship does not cancel calling. It also reassures the Corinthians that his delay is not disinterest but obedience to a pressing mission that requires his presence a little longer.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For a great and important door there is open to me, and there are a number of people against me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for a door to me hath been opened--great and effectual--and withstanders <FI>are<Fi> many.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For a great door and evident is opened unto me: and many adversaries.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For a great door is opened to me and an effectual [one], and [the] adversaries many.

Context

Having stated his intention to remain in Ephesus until Pentecost (v.8), Paul supplies the rationale: an opened door and many adversaries. This balances opportunity with realism and prepares the Corinthians to receive others in his stead. Accordingly, verses 10–12 address Timothy’s reception and Apollos’s plans. Paul’s strategy is coherent: he stays where the work is urgent, sends trusted coworkers, and intends a fuller visit to Corinth later, aligning love for them with stewardship of current openings.

v.8But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost;

v.9This passage

v.10Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 3:7

    And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:

  • Colossians 4:3

    withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

  • Acts 19:8

    And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:32

    If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.

  • Acts 14:27

    And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:8

    For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

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