13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.
15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household 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. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Be watchful: live in anticipation of Christ’s return.
Stand firm in the faith: be rooted in God’s truth.
Be brave “act like men”: Be ready for persecution and opposition.
Be strong: Live in the strength of the Holy Spirit (Eph 3:16).
Let all that you do be done in love: accomplish all these things with an attitude of love.
The household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, the region of which Corinth was the capital. They had devoted themselves to ministering to the church. Paul asked the Corinthians to submit to them as well as everyone else who worked to serve the church along with Paul. We need to submit to those God has placed over His church to serve and lead us. Stephanus and others had ministered directly to Paul and he asks that they be given recognition for doing what the entire church could not do. We cannot all be missionaries or directly support others but we should give recognition to those who go out and minister on our behalf.
Paul would use a scribe for his letters but often ended the letters by writing the final greeting himself. In this greeting, he reminds us that we must live in love for the Lord. This is a reminder for believers not to live causing dissension and division within the church but to live with Christ-centred love for one another.