1 Corinthians 16:13-14
In my devotions this week there was one verse that stood out more than others. It has made me ask why Paul wrote it right there. The verse is 1 Corinthians 16:13b.
A very simple line, but it has me thinking. It reads, “act like men, be strong.” In my younger years I would taken this out of context and championed it about. Imagine the t-shirts that I could sell, the books I could write. A campaign of people spreading throughout the world shouting, “Be Strong, Act like Men!”
Yet now, instead of taking it out of context, I place it within its context. The immediate context of this verse goes into 13-14, “13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.14 Let all that you do be done in love.” The context reveals a little more of Paul’s intention, He desires for us to be aware of our faith in relation to God, taking accountability for the strengthening of our faith by being obedient to God.
The wider context of 1 Corinthians challenges us to examine our relationship to Christ, to one another as believers and to those who are outsiders. The wider context of 1 Corinthians shows immature believers being selfish and not understanding the will of God. Paul sought to correct, encourage and challenge growth in the church in Corinth and now at the end of His letter He summarizes His thoughts.
Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 is a culminating statement that took a shot at those who were acting like children. He told them to grow up. Grow in faith, grow in knowledge, grow in compassion and grow in love. He called for the church to be mature in every way possible as followers of Christ.
Sometimes I need to slow down and think about what God is teaching me. That is what God is teaching me this week, to slow down and think. It is interesting to me that Paul’s words to act like a man and be strong has me pausing and reflecting.
The definition of a man from scripture is very different than what society has sought to define. A man of faith is concerned for God’s will, invested in study, fervently prays, passionately worships his Savior, serves the needs of the church, reaches out to the community by sharing faith and desires to grow more faithful followers of Christ. Act like a man of God, be strong in your faith.
One verse that caught my eye, has challenged me this week. To be more like Christ, to demonstrate His character and allow love to be the motivating factor of all my actions. A love for God, for my brothers and sisters in Christ, and for those that need to know the love of Christ. Two verses that I carry with me into my daily life, “13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.14 Let all that you do be done in love.”