By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher
Text: 1
Corinthians 16
1
Corinthians 16:15-16
Now
I urge you, brothers[c]—you
know that the household[d] of
Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted
themselves to the service of the saints— 16 be
subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.
(ESV)
As the book of 1
Corinthians ends, Paul offers his plans to visit them, gives them some final
instructions and encouragement, and gives them greetings from other Churches
and Church leaders. While these instructions from Paul apply to the Church in
Corinth, they have practical application to the Church of today. This is
especially important to today’s Church living in the digital age with increased
temptation and persecution. In this text, Paul provides his,
1)
Plans for receiving a collection for the
Church in Jerusalem and travel (1
Corinthians 16:1-11) – Paul plans to come to Corinth to collect an offering
for the Church in Jerusalem. He wants the Corinthians to collect the offering before
he comes to them and when he arrives send men with the gift to Jerusalem and if
it is advisable to have Paul go with them. Paul also plans to visit the Church
at Corinth after passing through Macedonia. Even though Paul stated he could
accompany the men with the offering to Jerusalem, he planned to stay in Corinth
for a while. However, he has a wide-open door to minister in Ephesus and will
remain there till Pentecost. He instructs them to put Timothy at ease when he
comes and not to despise him.
2)
Final instructions (1
Corinthians 16:12-18) – Even though strongly urged by Paul, Apollos does
not intend to come to Corinth but will come when he has an opportunity. Paul’s
final instructions to the Corinthians in this letter include being watchful,
firm in their faith, to act like men, to be strong, and to do all with love. Paul
urges them to be subject to men such as Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus who
have been of immense help to Paul.
3)
Greetings (1
Corinthians 16:19-24) – The Corinthians receive greetings from the churches
in Asia, Aquila and Prisca along with the Church in their house, and all the
brothers. Paul personally wrote this greeting in his own hand and told them that
anyone without love for the Lord is accursed. He concludes by asking that the
grace of the Lord and his love be with them.
In this letter to the
Corinthians, Paul has addressed many problems in the Church. In these final
instructions we see Paul instructing them to be watchful against false teaching
and deception (1
Corinthians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:33). They are to stand strong in the
faith and not fall into immorality or compromise with the world (1
Corinthians 5, 6:12-20). They are to act like men and not have childish
divisions among them like which minister they prefer and instead be men of God,
following Christ (1
Corinthians 5:11-13). Finally, they are to be strong against any
persecution that will come (Romans
8:35-39). Paul urged the Corinthians to subject themselves to leaders
devoted to serving the Lord like Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and
teachers of the word of God like Timothy. Paul sends them his love and God’s
grace until he can visit them (1
Corinthians 16:23-24).
I have heard it said that
if we find the perfect Church, leave it before we mess it up. There is no
perfect church for the Church consists of fallen people, redeemed by the blood
of Christ. while these redeemed people have a right standing with God, they are
not perfect and need to confess their sins to God and receive forgiveness (1
John 1:9). Therefore, every Church has aspects of the problems found in the
Church in Corinth and must follow the final instructions of Paul,
1)
We must be watchful and stand against
false and deceptive teaching because, with the invention of digital media,
deception spreads quickly. Therefore, the Church must also use digital media to
quickly reveal deception when it becomes aware of it.
2)
We must be strong in faith and not give in
to the temptation of immorality. The prevalence of pornography readily
available on digital devices like computers, tablets, and phones means one
needs to be diligent in his or her faith to remain strong.
3)
Have spiritual maturity through diligent
study of Scripture. It is also crucial for unity in the body of Christ to hold
each other accountable and help in the development of spiritual maturity for
our brothers and sisters in Christ.
4)
Remain strong when facing tribulation,
something Jesus said would come, remembering Jesus has overcome the world (John
16:33).
If anyone is reading this
and has not prayed to receive Jesus as their savior, I invite you to do so now
by praying with me,
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans
3:23)
and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans
6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse
me as you promise in your Word (1
John 1:9). I believe
you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now
declare you Lord of my life.
May God challenge,
convict, and bless everyone reading this post.
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