BE MEN OF COURAGE; DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE

Passage: 1 Corinthians 16:10-24

Key verse: 13,14

NIV

10 When Timothy(A) comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord,(B) just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt.(C) Send him on his way(D) in peace(E) so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

12 Now about our brother Apollos:(F) I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

13 Be on your guard; stand firm(G) in the faith; be courageous; be strong.(H) 14 Do everything in love.(I)

15 You know that the household of Stephanas(J) were the first converts(K) in Achaia,(L) and they have devoted themselves to the service(M) of the Lord’s people.(N) I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit(O) 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.(P) 18 For they refreshed(Q) my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.(R)

Final Greetings

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

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

22 If anyone does not love the Lord,(X) let that person be cursed!(Y) Come, Lord[b]!(Z)

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.(AA)

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

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 16:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:22 The Greek for Come, Lord reproduces an Aramaic expression (Marana tha) used by early Christians.
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:24 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

10 (A)When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for (B)he is doing (C)the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So (D)let no one despise him. (E)Help him on his way (F)in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

Final Instructions

12 Now concerning (G)our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will[a] to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

13 (H)Be watchful, (I)stand firm in the faith, (J)act like men, (K)be strong. 14 (L)Let all that you do be done in love.

15 Now I urge you, brothers[b]—you know that (M)the household[c] of Stephanas were (N)the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves (O)to the service of the saints— 16 (P)be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for (Q)your absence, 18 for they (R)refreshed my spirit as well as yours. (S)Give recognition to such people.

Greetings

19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. (T)Aquila and Prisca, together with (U)the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings. (V)Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, write (W)this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be (X)accursed. Our Lord, come![d] 23 (Y)The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 16:12 Or God's will for him
  2. 1 Corinthians 16:15 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 20
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:15 Greek house
  4. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Greek Maranatha (a transliteration of Aramaic)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Do everything in love (1

-18)

Paul had pioneered the church in Corinth and he felt like their father. He was sending Timothy to them, and he himself was planning to spend the winter there. He did not want to make just a superficial visit. Timothy was worried about how he would be received. The Corinthians had wanted Apollos to come, but Paul was sending Timothy. Three men from Corinth had visited Paul in Ephesus, seeking his council. They told him about the church, and were going back with Paul's advice.

2. Final greetings (19-24)

Aquila and Priscilla had helped him pioneer the church in Corinth, and had gone as lay missionaries to Ephesus, where they were living and working. His final words remind us that love is the solution to problems between Christians. If we love Jesus and love each other, the problems disappear.

Prayer: Lord, help me to stand firm in the gospel and do everything in love.

One Word: Stand firm; act in love