1 Corinthians 16:13 - Meaning and Application

In this passage, the apostle gives some general advice.

First, he tells them to watch (1 Corinthians 16:13), that is, to stay awake and keep their guard up. A Christian is always in some danger, so he should always be watchful. But danger is greater at some times than others, and the Corinthians were in clear danger in several ways. They had serious quarrels, many wrong practices among them, and false teachers who were trying to corrupt their faith in the most important truths, the truths without which true goodness and godliness cannot last.

In such a situation, they needed to be alert. If a Christian wants to be safe, he must stay on guard. The greater the danger, the more watchfulness he needs for his protection.

Second, Paul tells them to stand firm in the faith, to hold their ground, cling to God’s revelation, and not hand it over to the wisdom of the world. They were to defend the faith of the gospel, even if it cost them their lives, and also to remain in it, living under its truth and power. A Christian should be settled in the gospel and never abandon or deny it.

This faith is what helps a believer hold steady in times of temptation. It is by faith that we stand (2 Corinthians 1:24), and by faith that we overcome the world, whether the world flatters us or threatens us, tempts us or frightens us (1 John 5:4). If we want to keep our integrity, we must stand firm in the faith of the gospel.

Third, he tells them to act like men and be strong. He means, act with courage, steadiness, and resolve. They were to stand against the bad men who wanted to divide them, split them into groups, or lead them away from the faith. They were not to be afraid of them or taken in by them, but to show themselves strong in Christ by sound judgment and firm purpose.

Christians should be strong and steady in all their struggles with enemies, especially when defending the truths that are at the foundation of true and practical religion, like the truths being attacked among the Corinthians. These must be held with clear judgment and firm resolve.

Fourth, he tells them to do everything in love, (1 Corinthians 16:14). Their zeal and their firmness had to go together with charity, that is, loving concern for others. When the apostle calls us to be bold for our faith or religion, he also warns us not to act like the devil in defending it. We may defend the faith, but we must still keep our innocence. We must not rage and destroy, as if human anger could produce God’s righteousness (James 1:20).

Christians should make sure that love rules their hearts and also shows in their lives, even in their strongest defense of the gospel. There is a big difference between steady faithfulness and harsh cruelty, between Christian strength and hot, sinful anger. Christianity shines brightest when Christian love is most visible, when believers bear with mistaken brothers and oppose open enemies of the faith in love, and when everything they do is marked by meekness and goodwill.

Then Paul gives some specific directions about people who had served the cause of Christ well among them.

He first describes their character. The household of Stephanas is mentioned, and they are called the first-fruits of Achaia, meaning they were among the first people in that part of Greece, where Corinth was, to become Christians. It is an honor for anyone to be an early Christian, to belong to Christ from the beginning.

They had also devoted themselves to serving the saints, to helping other believers. The word means they set themselves to this work and gave themselves to it. This was not the work of preaching in the strict sense, but of practical service, meeting needs, helping, and supporting believers in both their ordinary and spiritual concerns. The family of Stephanas seems to have been a family of rank and importance, yet they willingly gave themselves to this service. It is an honor for people of the highest rank to devote themselves to serving the saints.

I do not mean they must give up their station and become regular servants of those below them. I mean they should freely and gladly help them and do them good in all their needs.

Paul also mentions Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who had come to him from the church in Corinth. He says they supplied what the church lacked toward him, and in doing so they refreshed his spirit and theirs (1 Corinthians 16:17-18). They gave him a fuller report of the church’s condition than he could get from their letter, and that helped calm his mind. When they went back, they would also calm the minds of the Corinthians.

Rumors had made their situation seem much worse than it really was, and the letters he had received had not explained things well enough to satisfy him. But talking with these men made him more at ease. They did a very good service by speaking honestly, clearing up false impressions, and correcting the bad report Paul had heard from common talk.

They came with a truly Christian purpose, to set the apostle right and give him as favorable a view of the church as they could, acting as peacemakers. It is a great comfort to a faithful minister to hear better news about a people from wise and good men of their own body than from public rumor. It is painful for him to hear evil of those he loves, and it gladdens him when the report proves false. The more he trusts those who bring him the truth, the greater his joy.

On this basis, Paul tells the Corinthians how to treat these men. He wants them to acknowledge them, meaning to recognize and respect them (1 Corinthians 16:18). They deserved this for their good service. Those who serve the saints, who care for the honor and good name of the churches, and who work to remove false shame and bad reports from them, should be valued, honored, and loved. People with such a good spirit cannot be too highly regarded.

He also tells them to submit themselves to such men, and to everyone who helps with the apostles and labors (1 Corinthians 16:16). This does not mean giving them authority as if they were higher officers. It means freely recognizing their worth. They were men to whom the Corinthians owed special respect, and they should hold them in honor.

Note, those who serve the saints and work hard to help the spread of the gospel bear an honorable name. The same is true of those who support and encourage faithful ministers of Christ and try to help their ministry succeed. People like this should be held in high respect.