Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
This verse is often quoted by Christians as a call to action and faithfulness. It is part of Paul’s final greetings and instructions to the church in Corinth, a city in ancient Greece that was known for its wealth, diversity, and immorality. Paul had founded this church during his second missionary journey, but he faced many challenges and oppositions from both inside and outside the church. He wrote this letter to address some of the issues and problems that the Corinthians were facing, such as divisions, lawsuits, sexual immorality, idolatry, spiritual gifts, resurrection, and collection for the poor.
In chapter 16, Paul wraps up his letter with some personal requests, final greetings, and exhortations. He tells them about his plans to visit them after passing through Macedonia (verses 5-9), and he asks them to welcome Timothy and Apollos, his fellow workers in the gospel (verses 10-12). He then gives them four commands in verse 13, followed by a summary command in verse 14:
Do everything in love.
The four commands in verse 13 are:
- Be on your guard: This means to be alert and watchful for any dangers or threats that may come from the enemy, the world, or even from within the church. Paul knew that the Corinthians were surrounded by temptations and false teachings that could lead them astray from the truth and the grace of God. He wanted them to be vigilant and discerning, not complacent or careless.
- Stand firm in the faith: This means to remain steadfast and loyal to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the core of Christian belief and practice. Paul had preached to them the message of salvation by grace through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). He wanted them to hold on to this faith firmly, not wavering or doubting.
- Be courageous: This means to be brave and bold in living out and sharing the gospel with others. Paul knew that the Corinthians faced many pressures and persecutions from their society and culture, which was hostile to Christianity. He wanted them to overcome their fear and timidity, and to speak and act with confidence and conviction.
- Be strong: This means to be empowered and strengthened by God’s Spirit and grace. Paul knew that the Corinthians were weak and frail in themselves, and that they could not fulfill God’s will by their own efforts or abilities. He wanted them to rely on God’s power and provision, not on their own resources or wisdom.
These four commands are not independent or isolated from each other, but rather interrelated and interdependent. They are all aspects of what it means to be faithful followers of Christ in a challenging and changing world. They are also not based on human willpower or performance, but on God’s presence and promise. Paul reminds them in verse 14 that the motivation and manifestation of all these commands is love: love for God and love for others. Love is the essence and evidence of true Christianity (1 Corinthians 13).
Therefore, 1 Corinthians 16:13 is a verse that encourages us to be vigilant, loyal, bold, and empowered as we live for God’s glory and honor in this world. It also challenges us to do everything in love, as we reflect God’s character and compassion to those around us.
