1 Corinthians 16:3 Meaning: Whose Approval?
When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.
And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem:
and whenever I may come, whomsoever ye may approve, through letters, these I will send to carry your favour to Jerusalem;
And when I am arrived, whomsoever ye shall approve, these I will send with letters to carry your bounty to Jerusalem:
Meaning in one sentence
Does Paul ask the Corinthians to approve delegates by letter, or does he promise to send them with his own letters?
Context
Paul is finishing his first letter to the Corinthians. One of his final subjects is the collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem. He has already told the church to set aside money each week. Now he explains what happens next. When he arrives in Corinth, he will not handle the money himself. Instead, the Corinthians are to choose trustworthy people to carry their gift to Jerusalem. Paul will then send them, either with letters from the congregation or with his own letters of recommendation. Either way, Paul makes it clear: the choice belongs to the church, not to him. He wants to avoid any hint of mishandling funds, and he trusts the Corinthians to select faithful messengers for this act of generosity.
Key Words
Three Greek words shape this verse. First, dokimazō, the verb behind “approve.” It means to test something the way a metalsmith tests gold to see if it is genuine. Paul trusts the Corinthians to examine potential messengers not by appearance but by proven character. Second, the gift itself is charis, “grace” or “gracious gift.” Paul could have called it alms or a collection. By choosing charis he reminds them that their giving is a free response to God’s own grace, not a duty. Third, the preposition dia with epistolōn, “by letters”, is the knot commentators have wrestled with. Does dia go with “approve” (so the Corinthians write letters of approval before Paul comes) or with “I will send” (so Paul provides letters vouching for the delegates)? The Greek allows either. What matters is that Paul keeps the process transparent. Whoever the Corinthians pick, their gift will travel with both human trust and written accountability.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse in two main ways. The King James Version follows Tyndale and the Vulgate, taking “by your letters” with “approve.” In that reading, the Corinthians send letters ahead to Paul naming their chosen delegates. Many older commentators lean this way. Other interpreters, Chrysostom, Grotius, and most modern translations, connect “by letters” with “I will send.” Here, Paul himself writes letters of commendation for the messengers. The Cambridge Bible notes that on lesser matters Paul preferred the church to govern itself. Chrysostom observed that Paul was especially careful not to take charge of the money, lest anyone accuse him of using it for himself. Both readings honor Paul’s wisdom and the church’s role. The central point stays the same: the Corinthians choose, and Paul supports their choice.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume Paul is telling the Corinthians to write letters of approval before he arrives, as if they need his permission. In fact, the grammar is ambiguous. Many commentators connect “by letters” with “I will send,” meaning Paul himself provides letters of commendation for the delegates. Either way, Paul does not control the process. He leaves the selection to the church and offers to facilitate. The common mistake is to see Paul as micromanaging; instead, he models trust in the congregation’s judgment.
Living This Out
This verse can shape how you give this week. When you offer money, time, or help, think about who handles it. Paul wanted the Corinthians to choose their own representatives. That is a good pattern: know the people you trust with your gift. At the same time, Paul offered his own support, letters, presence, or whatever was needed. You might look for a way to give that lets the receiver or the community share in the decision. Maybe you contribute to a fund where local leaders decide how to use it. Maybe you help a friend who is struggling, without telling them exactly how to spend what you give. Trust and partnership are part of generosity.
Main takeaway: Paul entrusted the Corinthians with choosing the bearers of their gift, showing that generosity involves trust and partnership, not control.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Paul told the church to pick people to carry their money to help others. He trusted them to choose well. You can trust others too when you share.
For ages 9, 12
Paul gave the Corinthians a simple job: choose the people who would carry their gift to Jerusalem. He did not take over or tell them who to pick. He trusted their judgment and offered to help. When you share something, whether it is snacks or school supplies, you can do it the same way. Listen to others, let them have a say, and offer to help them carry it through. That is partnership.
Questions People Ask
What does 'approve by your letters' mean in 1 Corinthians 16:3?
There are two main interpretations. One reading says the Corinthians should write letters to Paul naming the delegates they approve before he arrives. Another reading (followed by many modern translations) says Paul will send the delegates with letters of recommendation from him. Both readings agree that the Corinthians choose the messengers, and Paul helps send them.
Why did Paul not want to handle the money himself?
Paul was careful about appearance. As Chrysostom noted, he did not want anyone to accuse him of using the collection for his own benefit. By letting the Corinthians choose their own messengers and by sending letters with them, Paul kept the process transparent and beyond reproach.
What is the 'gracious gift' Paul refers to?
The Greek word is charis, which usually means 'grace.' Paul calls the collection a gracious gift because it flows from God’s grace and is given freely. It is not just money; it is an act of grace by the Corinthian believers toward the poor saints in Jerusalem.
Is Paul telling the Corinthians to write letters of recommendation?
That is one possible reading. If you connect 'by letters' with 'approve,' then the Corinthians send letters to Paul approving their delegates. Many early translations take this view. But a strong case can be made for the alternative, where Paul writes the letters. The main point is that the Corinthians approve the people, and Paul sends them with proper documentation.
How does this verse apply to church giving today?
Paul shows that generosity should be handled with integrity and shared responsibility. The givers have a voice in how their gift is delivered. Leaders like Paul support the process without controlling it. This can encourage churches today to involve the congregation in decisions about charitable giving and to maintain transparency.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study