It's Over To You

OPENING PRAYER:

Merciful Lord, you so often give when I ask, reveal when I seek, open when I knock. How great you are.

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13-24

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Final Greetings

19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla[a] greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord[b]!

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.[c]

Footnotes

{a] 1 Corinthians 16:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla

[b} 1 Corinthians 16:22 The Greek for Come, Lord reproduces an Aramaic expression (Marana tha) used by early Christians.

[c] 1 Corinthians 16:24 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.

1 CORINTHIANS 16:13-24

REFLECT:

How do you end an email when you’re writing to people you love? What is your final sign-off?

Look at Paul’s four instructions in verse 13, which echo the orders an army commander gave to troops. These remind the Corinthians to guard against fitting into their surrounding culture so well that they forget they are Christians. How might these instructions be important for us today? What are the dangers we need to guard against? Then, Paul returns to his theme of the importance of love (v 14). Think back to what you learned from his letter in chapters 10-14. Why is Paul’s reminder about love so important?

In verses 15-18, Paul looks back over the history of the Corinthian church. Why was the household of Stephanas so important to Paul? He had obviously found the visit of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus really important (v 18). They brought a breath of fresh spiritual air to Paul. Think of people who do that for you. Paul writes his final greetings in his own hand rather than have his scribe do it (v 21). He finishes with a reminder to stay true to the Lord as they wait for his coming (v 22), and a prayer that they are kept in the grace of the Lord Jesus (v 23). His affection for the Corinthian church is obvious from his final sign-off (v 24).

APPLY:

How can you better apply the instructions in verses 13 and 14 to your life?

CLOSING PRAYER:

Patient Father, I know I am prone to wander. Forgive me for my divided loyalties and dalliances with sin. Guide me in the paths of righteousness.

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