I Corinthians 16:17,18

I Corinthians 16:17,18 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. Paul wrote the book of I Corinthians while he was in Ephesus for three years. And while he was in Ephesus, the church in Corinth sent money by the hands of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus. Evidently everyone in Corinth would have liked to have been the ones to bring the gift to their dear friend, Paul, but only these three were able to make the trip to Ephesus. We already know that the house of Stephanas was known for their hospitality, and I am sure Fortunatus and Achaicus were just as giving as Stephanas. Although everyone in Corinth couldn’t be there in Ephesus encouraging Paul, they were all a blessing to him through the gift that Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus brought. So Paul returned the favor. He wrote the letter of I Corinthians and gave it to Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus to take home with them when they left. So the book of I Corinthians was partly Paul’s thank you note to the church in Corinth for their generous gift to help him in his missionary work in Ephesus. Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus had refreshed Paul’s spirit, and with the letter in hand, they refreshed the spirits of the good folk at the church in Corinth. And what a blessing the letter was to them! And what a blessing the letter is to us some 2,000 years later!