Final Exhortations
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Personal relationships and their communication are important for an effective gospel ministry, this is what the church is called to, and in that ministry we are to recognize that every home, every person is a gospel ministry resource and therefore constitutes a responsibility for those resources to be used for the glory of God.
Paul's final exhortations are to identify and nourish the relational harmony and unity that was missing in the church and dulling the effective ministry God had called and gifted them for. The Word of God here and in many other places calls us and challenges us to take firm action to put right what has gone wrong.
so here they are 7 imperatives from the scripture
16:13 Paul exhorts them to be watchful, strong, and mature. The Corinthians are markedly emotional, erratic, and immature, so this parting exhortation makes sense in its context.
Stay alert-Watch ye”: for ye are slumbering.
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Stand Firm in the Faith-for ye are like men tottering. , Ep 6,
Act like men!!! This is under intense scrutiny in our day with all of this gender confusion the enemies of the cross are spreading....and may I dare to say spreading faster than Christians are sowing the seed of the Word of God out of fear......might hurt feelings, might offend, might go to jail!! Show yourself spiritually courageous-be brave-“Quit you like men; be strong”: for ye are effeminate
Stay Strong in the Lord === Joshua 1:6-7-
Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
Saturate everything you do with love--16:14 The Corinthians were failing to put the principle of love first, and so Paul in ch13 gives an extended exhortation on the subject , so once again this last words of a reminder
Submit to leaders and workers who have devoted themselves to the ministry Greek military word meaning to arrange in a military fashion under the command of a leader, in non military it is used as a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility and carrying a burden.
Show honor to those who encourage and meet needs
this is a ministry-presence and refreshing
16:15–16 The Corinthians are unruly and have problems submitting to spiritual authority; their difficulty with submission to proper authority is likely the context for this parting exhortation.
16:17–18 Paul mentions his own personal joy at seeing some of the members of the Corinthian church. It is likely these were the ones who brought Paul the Corinthians’ letter (7:1), and they will bring this letter back with them to the church.
