Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Paul is closing out his letter to Corinth by giving them some final instructions.  For example, he had informed them earlier in the letter that he was sending them “Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church” (4:17).  He now mentions Timothy’s imminent arrival at Corinth once more.  Timothy might have been timid (2 Tim. 1:7) and was definitely young, making it easy to dismiss him offhandedly (1 Tim. 4:12).  For these reasons, Paul urges the Corinthians to “put him at ease among you” (16:10a).  Because “he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am” (16:10b), Paul directed the Corinthians to “let no one despise him” (16:11a), literally in the Greek to think nothing of him.  Instead, they were to “help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers” (16:11b).  The apostle then informs the church that he had “strongly urged” Apollos to visit them with other brethren in Christ, but Apollos had chosen instead to come at a later time “when he has opportunity” (16:12).

He then directs Corinth to “be watchful,” using a Greek term (gregoreo) that military commanders gave to sentries which means to stay awake or keep watch (cf. Matt. 24:42).  In order to be constantly on the alert for spiritual dangers, they would first need to be able to recognize those dangers (cf. Heb. 5:11-14).  Therefore, Paul also directs them to “stand firm in the faith,” the faith which is based solely on the Word of God (Rom. 10:17; Jude 3; Gal. 1:6-10).

Choosing to follow Scripture instead of Satan will bring about hardship and persecution (cf. Matt. 5:10-12).  It therefore requires courage, the literal meaning of andrizomai, the Greek term which is translated by the ESV as “act like men” in verse 13.  A common stereotype throughout history is that men should be brave, that one acts like a true man by being brave.  In this context, such bravery is directly connected with “stand(ing) firm in the faith,” i.e., following God’s Word.  As I recently pointed out in a sermon, David made the same connection when he told Solomon to “prove yourself a man” by following God’s Word (1 Kings 2:1-4).  In the sight of God, real masculinity, courage, strength (“be strong” – 16:13), and maturity is shown by obeying God.

Real men also love as God loves.  This is why the apostle, immediately after directing Corinth to act like men by being brave and strong, then commands them, “Let all that you do be done in love” (16:14).  “Love” (agape) refers to a self-sacrificial mindset which puts the interests and needs of others before one’s own as Jesus did in order to save our souls (cf. Phil. 2:1-5ff).  It is shown through patience, kindness, contentment, humility, civility, generosity, being easygoing and forgiving, “rejoic(ing) with the truth,” and being forbearing, willing to give the benefit of the doubt, hopeful, and willing to “endure all things” (13:4-7).

Christians, do we have these traits?  Do these passages describe us?

— Jon