1 Corinthians 16:7

For I do not want to see you now only in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church while stationed in Ephesus, revising his travel itinerary after initially suggesting a brief stopover (1 Corinthians 16:6) and before declaring his extended stay until Pentecost (1 Corinthians 16:8).

The words — Paul combines οὐ (ou) and θέλω (thelō) to declare "I do not want," contrasted with παρόδῳ (parodō) meaning "passing," to explicitly reject a hasty visit in favor of an extended stay.

The thread — The text records Paul’s conditional travel intent, which matches his earlier statement in Acts 18:21, his later remark in 1 Corinthians 4:19, and the broader scriptural pattern of submitting human plans to divine permission found in James 4:15.

Why it lands — The text states that the author's plans are contingent on divine allowance, requiring the reader to accept that pastoral commitment and daily intentions operate under God's sovereign permission rather than personal certainty.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

οὐouNot θέλωthelōI want γὰρgarfor ὑμᾶςhumasyou ἄρτιartinow ἐνenin παρόδῳparodōpassing ἰδεῖν·ideinto see;ἐλπίζωelpizōI hope γὰρgarfor χρόνονchronona time τινὰtinacertain ἐπιμεῖναιepimeinaito remain πρὸςproswith ὑμᾶς,humasyou,ἐὰνeanif ὁhothe κύριοςkuriosLord ἐπιτρέψῃ.epitrepsēshall permit.

King James Version

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

Cross-references

Acts 18:21 But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
1 Corinthians 4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.
James 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”
Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.
Romans 1:10 in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you.
Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
2 Corinthians 1:15 Confident of this, I planned to visit you first, so that you might receive a double blessing.