1 Corinthians 16:9
New International Version
because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

New Living Translation
There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.

English Standard Version
for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Berean Standard Bible
because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.

Berean Literal Bible
For a great and productive door has opened to me, and many are opposing.

King James Bible
For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

New King James Version
For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

New American Standard Bible
for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

NASB 1995
for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

NASB 1977
for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Legacy Standard Bible
for a wide and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Amplified Bible
because a wide door for effective service has opened to me [in Ephesus, a very promising opportunity], and there are many adversaries.

Christian Standard Bible
because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me —yet many oppose me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me.

American Standard Version
for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

Contemporary English Version
because there is a wonderful opportunity for me to do some work here. But there are also many people who are against me.

English Revised Version
for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have a great opportunity to do effective work here, although there are many people who oppose me.

Good News Translation
There is a real opportunity here for great and worthwhile work, even though there are many opponents.

International Standard Version
because a door has opened wide for me to do effective work, although many people are opposing me.

Majority Standard Bible
because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.

NET Bible
because a door of great opportunity stands wide open for me, but there are many opponents.

New Heart English Bible
for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Webster's Bible Translation
For a great door and effectual is opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Weymouth New Testament
for a wide door stands open before me which demands great efforts, and we have many opponents.

World English Bible
for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for a door has been opened to me—great and effectual—and withstanders [are] many.

Berean Literal Bible
For a great and productive door has opened to me, and many are opposing.

Young's Literal Translation
for a door to me hath been opened -- great and effectual -- and withstanders are many.

Smith's Literal Translation
For a door has stood open to me, great and effective, and many opposed.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For a great door and evident is opened unto me: and many adversaries.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For a door, great and unavoidable, has opened to me, as well as many adversaries.

New American Bible
because a door has opened for me wide and productive for work, but there are many opponents.

New Revised Standard Version
for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For a great door, full of opportunities, is opened to me, and adversaries are many.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For a great door is opened to me, filled with opportunities and many opponents.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
for a great and effective door is opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Godbey New Testament
for a door is opened unto me great and effectual, and there are many antagonizing.

Haweis New Testament
for there is opened to me a great door, and effectual, and there are many adversaries.

Mace New Testament
for I have a very fair and promising opportunity given me of propagating the gospel, tho' there are many opposers.

Weymouth New Testament
for a wide door stands open before me which demands great efforts, and we have many opponents.

Worrell New Testament
for a door, great and effectual, has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Worsley New Testament
though there are many opposers.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Travel Plans
8But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me. 10If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.…

Cross References
Acts 14:27
When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

2 Corinthians 2:12
Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord,

Colossians 4:3
as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Revelation 3:8
I know your deeds. Behold, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. I know that you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.

Acts 19:8-10
Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. / But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. / This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.

Philippians 1:28
without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.

2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.

Ephesians 6:19-20
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, / for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.

Acts 18:9-10
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”

1 Corinthians 15:32
If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

Acts 20:1
When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Luke 13:24
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.

Acts 16:9-10
During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” / As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


Treasury of Scripture

For a great door and effectual is opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

a great.

Acts 19:8
And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

door.

Acts 14:27
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

2 Corinthians 2:12
Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

Colossians 4:3
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

there.

1 Corinthians 15:32
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

Acts 19:9,10
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus…

2 Corinthians 1:8-10
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: …

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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.














a great door
The phrase "a great door" in the original Greek is "θύρα μεγάλη" (thyra megalē). In ancient times, a door symbolized opportunity and access. The use of "great" emphasizes the magnitude and significance of this opportunity. Historically, doors were not just physical barriers but also represented transitions and new phases. In a spiritual context, Paul is referring to a significant opportunity for ministry and spreading the Gospel. This aligns with the biblical theme of God opening doors for His purposes, as seen in Revelation 3:8, where God opens doors that no one can shut.

for effective work
The Greek term for "effective" is "ἐνεργής" (energēs), which implies active, powerful, and productive work. This suggests that the opportunity Paul is referring to is not just any work, but one that is divinely empowered and fruitful. The historical context of Paul's missionary journeys shows that he was constantly seeking to maximize his impact for the Kingdom of God. The "effective work" indicates that this opportunity is ripe for a significant harvest, aligning with the biblical principle that God equips and empowers His servants for the tasks He sets before them.

has opened to me
The phrase "has opened" comes from the Greek "ἀνέῳγεν" (aneōgen), indicating a completed action with ongoing results. This suggests that God Himself has orchestrated this opportunity, and it remains available for Paul to step into. The passive voice implies divine intervention, consistent with the biblical understanding that God is the one who opens doors of opportunity for His people. This reflects the sovereignty of God in guiding and directing the paths of His servants.

even though many oppose me
The Greek word for "oppose" is "ἀντικείμενοι" (antikeimenoi), meaning to be set against or to resist. This highlights the reality of spiritual warfare and opposition that often accompanies the advancement of God's Kingdom. Historically, Paul faced significant opposition from both Jewish and Gentile communities, as well as from spiritual forces. This phrase serves as a reminder that effective ministry often encounters resistance, yet it is through perseverance and reliance on God's strength that believers can overcome such challenges. The presence of opposition does not negate the opportunity but rather confirms its importance and potential impact.

Verse 9. - A great door and effectual. A wide and promising opportunity for winning souls to God. The metaphor of "a door," perhaps suggested by our Lord himself, was common among Christians (2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3; Acts 14:27; Revelation 3:8). Many adversaries (Acts 19:1, 8, 9, 19, 20).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
because
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

a great
μεγάλη (megalē)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

door
θύρα (thyra)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2374: (a) a door, (b) met: an opportunity. Apparently a primary word; a portal or entrance.

[for]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

effective [work]
ἐνεργής (energēs)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1756: Effective, productive of due result, at work. From en and ergon; active, operative.

has opened
ἀνέῳγεν (aneōgen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 455: To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.

to me,
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

even though
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

many
πολλοί (polloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

oppose [me].
ἀντικείμενοι (antikeimenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 480: To resist, oppose, withstand, lie opposite to. From anti and keimai; to lie opposite, i.e. Be adverse to.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great and effective door has (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 16:8
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