1 Corinthians 16:15 Meaning and Explanation
“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,)”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul commends the household of Stephanas, among the first converts in Achaia, who have devoted themselves to serving fellow believers.
What Does 1 Corinthians 16:15 Mean?
Paul turns to specific people he wants honored. The household of Stephanas were the 'firstfruits of Achaia' — among the earliest believers in that region of Greece. More than that, they had given themselves wholeheartedly to 'the ministry of the saints,' devoting their lives to serving the church.
To be 'firstfruits' is to be a first sign of a larger harvest, a promise of more to come. Paul lifts up not their status but their service. A household that pours itself out for others becomes a pattern for the whole church. True greatness in God's family is measured by glad, self-forgetful devotion to the good of His people.
1 Corinthians 16:15 in the Original Language
aparche (ἀπαρχή), 'firstfruits' -- the first portion of a harvest, a sign and pledge of more to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 16:15
What does 1 Corinthians 16:15 mean?
Paul commends the household of Stephanas, among the first converts in Achaia, who have devoted themselves to serving fellow believers.