The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 16:7 Explained

1 Corinthians 16:7

KJV: For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

YLT: for I do not wish to see you now in the passing, but I hope to remain a certain time with you, if the Lord may permit;

Darby: For I will not see you now in passing, for I hope to remain a certain time with you, if the Lord permit.

ASV: For I do not wish to see you now by the way; for I hope to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  I will  not  see  you  now  by  the way;  but  I trust  to tarry  a while  with  you,  if  the Lord  permit. 

What does 1 Corinthians 16:7 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 16:1-12 - Systematic Beneficence
It is remarkable that the Apostle can turn from one of his sublimest flights of sacred eloquence to deal with so ordinary a matter as the collection. But, after all, there is no incongruity. The thoughts to which he has given expression should surely lead to some tangible response of Christian duty and activity, or they would injure rather than help. Nothing is more injurious to the Christian conscience than trumpet-sounding which leads to no response in action. If the foregoing chapter does not stimulate Christian generosity, nothing will.
Note the time-the first day of the week, indicating the reverence with which the early Christians regarded that day. The method-the definite appropriation for God's work of a certain proportion of income, as it accrues. The proportion-as the giver may be prospered. Paul disliked vehement collection appeals, and advised that we should give according to a system, and not merely by impulse.
Remember it is God who opens great and effectual doors before His servants. It is of no use to force them. Let us wait for the Lord Jesus, who has the key of David, to open them, for then none can shut. Our duty is to be prepared to enter when the moment comes and the door swings wide. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 16

1  He exhorts them to a collection for the brothers at Jerusalem
10  Commends Timothy;
13  and after friendly admonitions,
16  concludes his epistle with various salutations

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 16:7

Now by the way [αρτι εν παροδωι]
Like our “by the way” (παροδος — parodos), incidentally. [source]
If the Lord permit [εαν ο Κυριος επιτρεπσηι]
Condition of the third class. Paul did everything εν Κυριωι — en Kuriōi (Cf. Acts 18:21). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 16:7

Acts 18:21 If God will [του τεου τελοντος]
Genitive absolute of present active participle. This expression (εαν — ean with subjunctive) occurs also in 1 Corinthians 4:19; 1 Corinthians 16:7; James 4:15. Such phrases were common among Jews, Greeks, and Romans, and are today. It is simply a recognition that we are in God‘s hands. The Textus Receptus has here a sentence not in the best MSS.: “I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem.” This addition by D and other documents may have been due to a desire to give a reason for the language in Acts 18:22 about “going up” to Jerusalem. Whether Paul said it or not, it was in the spring when he made this journey with a company of pilgrims probably going to the feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem. We know that later Paul did try to reach Jerusalem for Pentecost (Acts 20:16) and succeeded. As the ship was leaving, Paul had to go, but with the hope of returning soon to Ephesus as he did. [source]
1 Corinthians 4:19 If the Lord will [εαν ο κυριος τελησηι]
Third-class condition. See James 4:15; Acts 18:21; 1 Corinthians 16:7 for the use of this phrase. It should represent one‘s constant attitude, though not always to be spoken aloud. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:12 Our care for you [τὴν σπουδὴν ἡμῶν τὴν ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν]
The correct text reverses the pronouns and reads your care for us. This difficult passage means that while Paul did desire the punishment and reformation of the offender, and the vindication of the wronged party, his main object was that the fidelity and zeal of the Church toward God should be manifested, as it was (2 Corinthians 7:11). This would appear in the manifestation of their zealous interest for him as God's minister. He states this as if it were his only object. Manifest unto you is rather among you ( πρός ), as in 2 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 16:7. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:6 The lowly [τους ταπεινους]
See note on Matthew 11:29. Literally, low on the ground in old sense (Ezekiel 17:24). Low in condition as here; James 1:9. In 2 Corinthians 10:1 regarded as abject. In this sense in papyri. “Humility as a sovereign grace is the creation of Christianity” (Gladstone, Life, iii, p. 466). By the coming (en tēi parousiāi). Same use of parousia as in 1 Corinthians 16:7 which see. See also 2 Corinthians 7:7; 2 Corinthians 10:10. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:6 By the coming [en tēi parousiāi)]
Same use of parousia as in 1 Corinthians 16:7 which see. See also 2 Corinthians 7:7; 2 Corinthians 10:10. [source]
1 Timothy 2:12 I permit not [ουκ επιτρεπω]
Old word επιτρεπω — epitrepō to permit, to allow (1 Corinthians 16:7). Paul speaks authoritatively. [source]
Hebrews 6:3 If God permit [ἐάνπερ ἐπιτρέπῃ ὁ θεός]
The exact formula N.T.oComp. 1 Corinthians 16:7; Acts 18:21. Pagan parallels are τῶν θεῶν θελόντων ifthe gods will; θεῶν ἐπιτρεπόντων thegods permitting, and θεῶν βουλομένων ifthe gods desire. An ominous hint is conveyed that the spiritual dullness of the readers may prevent the writer from developing his theme and them from receiving his higher instruction. The issue is dependent on the power which God may impart to his teaching, but his efforts may be thwarted by the impossibility of repentance on their part. No such impossibility is imposed by God, but it may reside in a moral condition which precludes the efficient action of the agencies which work for repentance, so that God cannot permit the desired consequence to follow the word of teaching. [source]
Hebrews 6:3 If God permit [εανπερ επιτρεπηι ο τεος]
Condition of the third class with εανπερ — eanper (note περ — per indeed). See 1 Corinthians 16:7 It is not an idle form with the author. He means that he will go on with the argument and not attempt to lay again the foundation (the elements). Moffatt takes him to mean that he will teach them the elements at a later time (Hebrews 13:23) if the way opens, a less probable interpretation. [source]
James 4:15 If the Lord will [εαν ο κυριος τεληι]
Condition of the third class with εαν — ean and the present active subjunctive (or first aorist active τελεσηι — thelesēi in some MSS). The proper attitude of mind (Acts 18:21; 1 Corinthians 4:19; 1 Corinthians 16:7; Romans 1:19; Philemon 2:19, Philemon 2:24; Hebrews 6:3), not to be uttered always in words like a charm. This Hellenistic formula was common among the ancient heathen, as today among modern Arabs like the Latin deo volente.This or that (τουτο η εκεινο — touto ē ekeino). Applicable to every act. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 16:7 mean?

Not I want for you now in passing to see I hope indeed a time certain to remain with if the Lord permits
οὐ θέλω γὰρ ὑμᾶς ἄρτι ἐν παρόδῳ ἰδεῖν ἐλπίζω γὰρ χρόνον τινὰ ἐπιμεῖναι πρὸς ἐὰν Κύριος ἐπιτρέψῃ

θέλω  I  want 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: θέλω  
Sense: to will, have in mind, intend.
ἄρτι  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἄρτι  
Sense: just now, this moment.
παρόδῳ  passing 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πάροδος  
Sense: a passing by or passage.
ἰδεῖν  to  see 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
ἐλπίζω  I  hope 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐλπίζω  
Sense: to hope.
γὰρ  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: γάρ  
Sense: for.
χρόνον  a  time 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: χρόνος  
Sense: time either long or short.
τινὰ  certain 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
ἐπιμεῖναι  to  remain 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ἐπιμένω  
Sense: to stay at or with, to tarry still, still to abide, to continue, remain.
Κύριος  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
ἐπιτρέψῃ  permits 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐπιτρέπω 
Sense: to turn to, transfer, commit, instruct.