1 Corinthians 16
August Memory Verse: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Read: 1 Corinthians 16
I think these two verses are an example of how Paul was often beautifully poetic and clearly God inspired in the way he instructs us how to live. Straightforward and pithy (look it up), verses like this are among the easiest to memorize and often the most helpful when you want to have a quick reference to what God thinks about how you are called to act in any situation. (see also: Romans 12:9-19, 1 Cor. 13:4-8a, Gal. 5:22-23)
Now, to the text:
Be watchful – Be alert. The Greek word used here is often used to exhort someone to stay awake. Know what’s going on around you. Pay attention! Does a brother seem troubled to you? Maybe you should ask. Does a sister seem to be unknowingly going in a dangerous direction? Maybe you should ask to meet for a coffee “to catch up”. Have you started to form a habit that is slowly showing itself as not helpful or sinful (see 1 Cor. 10:23)? Reassess the habit.
Stand firm in the faith- Persevere, persist. Been days since you read Scripture? Days since you prayed? Are you starting to compromise on personal disciplines that help keep you connected to and abiding in Jesus? Being vigilant to stand firm in the faith is critical to running your race well (1 Cor. 9:24)
Act like Men – Laying aside for this discussion the expectations for men in the church and family, I think it’s safe to say that this is also an exhortation to be courageous for either gender. God calling us to be courageous is all throughout the Bible. We are called to not be fearful, but also, we are called to not be anxious, which is closely related.
Be strong – Be strong in your faith and do not be “driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6-8). Be strong in your convictions of right and wrong. This may also be a summary of the prior three exhortations.
Do it all in love – What a beautiful addition to the prior sentence! Like Paul teaches in the first three verses of 1 Cor. 13, it’s all worthless if not done in Biblical love.
We cannot and should not even expect that we will be all this all the time. Praise God for His grace, patience, and forgiveness! But it is what we should work and aspire to.
By: Chuck Vellios
Read: 1 Corinthians 16
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
Now, to the text:
Be watchful – Be alert. The Greek word used here is often used to exhort someone to stay awake. Know what’s going on around you. Pay attention! Does a brother seem troubled to you? Maybe you should ask. Does a sister seem to be unknowingly going in a dangerous direction? Maybe you should ask to meet for a coffee “to catch up”. Have you started to form a habit that is slowly showing itself as not helpful or sinful (see 1 Cor. 10:23)? Reassess the habit.
Stand firm in the faith- Persevere, persist. Been days since you read Scripture? Days since you prayed? Are you starting to compromise on personal disciplines that help keep you connected to and abiding in Jesus? Being vigilant to stand firm in the faith is critical to running your race well (1 Cor. 9:24)
Act like Men – Laying aside for this discussion the expectations for men in the church and family, I think it’s safe to say that this is also an exhortation to be courageous for either gender. God calling us to be courageous is all throughout the Bible. We are called to not be fearful, but also, we are called to not be anxious, which is closely related.
Be strong – Be strong in your faith and do not be “driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6-8). Be strong in your convictions of right and wrong. This may also be a summary of the prior three exhortations.
Do it all in love – What a beautiful addition to the prior sentence! Like Paul teaches in the first three verses of 1 Cor. 13, it’s all worthless if not done in Biblical love.
We cannot and should not even expect that we will be all this all the time. Praise God for His grace, patience, and forgiveness! But it is what we should work and aspire to.
By: Chuck Vellios
2 Comments
Such a comprehensive and encouraging summary of who we are supposed to be in Christ. Thanks Chuck!
Great job Chuck! Hope you feel better soon!!