1 Corinthians 16:12-18

 1 Corinthians 16:12-18

Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.  Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.  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—be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.  I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.

We often forget that these books of the Bible are letters from Paul to a church.  There are personal comments that appear in these letters that provided information.  There are also key exhortations that help us understand the relationship Paul had with this church.  In both cases there are lessons we can learn from these communications.

 

THE RETURN OF APOLLOS:  It is interesting to see the relationship between Paul and Apollos.  The church might have seen these two men in competition with one another because they compared them against one another.  However, Paul does not see any competition, only cooperation.  He urges Apollos to go visit the church, but that was not in his plans at this time.  If Paul was worried about a popularity contest, he would have never made this kind of recommendation.  As members of the same body, we can never be in competition with one another, we must always be cooperative with one another.

 

THE REGARD FOR MEN:  Paul urges the leaders of the church to be alert, faithful, strong, and loving.  These are the qualities that every man should strive to emulate.  Too often, men are irresponsible and passive.  We are called to be leaders who fulfill their responsibilities in a loving way.  We are not to be harsh in our leadership, but we are called to lead.  Loving leadership is the benchmark that every mas should strive to attain.

 

THE RESPECT FOR STEPHANAS:  Paul recognized Stephanas as the first believer in the region and appreciates the help that he has his companions where to them in Asia.  Apparently, the church sent this group of men to be of help to Paul in Ephesus.  This is the kind of cooperation for which the body of Christ should strive.  We are members of one another even when residing in different parts of the world.  These men were a blessing to Paul and the entire church in Asia.  Men of this caliber should be honored.

 

APPLICATION:  Men have an important role to fulfill in the church.  We are to serve one another in cooperation as Apollos and Stephanas did.  We are also to be loving leaders who faithfully and intentionally serve the people God has entrusted to us with faithfulness.

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