WOULD GOD CONSIDER YOU?

The First & Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (King James Version) B. Some Personal Concerns of Paul, 16:5–24

(16:5–24) Introduction:

Paul’s fourth concern was to exhort immature believers. There are five charges in this exhortation,

and all five are in the present tense; that is,

this is the way believers are to live.

These things are to be continually done.

Watch (gregoreite): to be awake, alert, and constantly on guard; never to be sleepy-eyed or sluggish; never to let one’s guard down.

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt. 26:41). “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night nor of darkness. therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” (1 Th. 5:5–6).

b. Stand fast in the faith: do not listen or give heed to false teachers and false doctrine; do not question the word and truth of Christ. Stand against those who mishandle and abuse the Word of God.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Co. 15:58). “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Ph. 1:27).

“Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Re. 3:11).

c. Quit you like men means either to be courageous as real men or to quit living like immature men. It means to live as courageous men of God.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Co. 6:17–18).

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 Jn. 2:15–16). d. Be strong: to grow in strength; to be men of real strength; to stand against the world and its enticements.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ep. 6:10).

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Ti. 2:1).

e. Do all in love: the word “with” should be translated “in.” The believer is to live “in” love and to do all “in” love.

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (1 Pe. 4:8).

“And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also” (1 Jn. 4:21).

5 (16:15–18) Paul, Ministry: Paul’s fifth concern was to set forth shining examples for the church to follow.

a. There was the example of Stephanas and his household. WILL GOD CONSIDER YOU????

Note what is said about this lay servant and his household.

→ They were the first converts of Achaia,

which was the large province of which Corinth was a part.

Imagine the courage it took to be the first to step forward for Christ,

especially in a society that had become a cesspool of immorality, injustice, and worldliness. → They not only ministered to others,

they were addicted[DEVOTED] to meeting the needs of believers.

The word addicted (etaxan) means they devoted themselves, appointed themselves, diligently gave themselves to meeting the dayto-day needs of the believers.

Paul says that such a dynamic example is to be followed.

In fact, any person who is so devoted to the ministry of the Lord is to be followed.

Thought 1. Those who devote their lives to serve the Lord and are faithful in their ministry are to be highly esteemed and followed as leaders.

“That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth” (1 Co. 16:16).

b. There was the example of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus.

Two men are now mentioned with Stephanas.

These three men were the messengers sent by the Corinthian church to Paul.

Paul says three simple things about them: → They had been faithful in their duty as appointed by the church, and had actually gone beyond, sharing even more.

→ They had refreshed his spirit just as they would refresh the spirit of the Corinthians by being faithful to their charge.

→ They serve as shining examples of what believers should be. Such faithful believers are to be acknowledged.

6 (16:19–24) Paul, Ministry: Paul’s sixth concern was to stress love and not division.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ep. 2:19). IN CLOSING

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (2 Co. 13:11).

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (1 Pe. 3:8).

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Ph. 1:27).

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ep. 4:3). 4) There was the greeting of Paul. Paul’s signature was the sign of the authenticity of his letters (Col. 4:18; 2 Th. 3:17). b. There was the staggering importance of love for Christ. The word anathema means accursed; under the ban; cast away. It is something doomed to utter destruction. Paul uses the word four times (Ro. 9:3; 1 Co. 12:3; 16:22; Ga. 1:8; see Ac. 23:14).

The word maranatha means the Lord comes!

A WATCH WORD

The idea is that any man who does not love the Lord Jesus Christ will be accursed. And the Lord is coming: they will be accursed.

c. There was the love of Paul for all. This is clearly seen in his benediction of grace and expression of love for the believers and their church.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love” (Ga. 5:22).

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness” (Col. 3:14).

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 Jn. 4:16).