1 Corinthians 16:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

NIV: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

NASB: Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

CSB: Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.

NLT: Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

KJV: Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

NKJV: Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

In wrapping up this letter, Paul has been addressing the details of some business matters, as well as the travel plans of himself and others. He turns to sending greetings in a moment, but first he inserts a series of five quick commands. Paul's habit of doing this at the end of letters reminds one of a parent restating quickly all the things their child needs to remember before rushing out the door.

Paul tells them to be watchful or to stay on their guard, along with the command to stand firm in the faith. He may be emphasizing his teaching in the previous chapter about their faith in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and the resurrection of all who follow Him. Some had watered down their belief in the resurrection. Paul reminded them the resurrection was essential to the gospel in which they stood (1 Corinthians 15:1). He urged them to be steadfast and immovable (1 Corinthians 15:58). They must be on the lookout for any kind of false teaching.

Paul also tells them to act like men, or to "be men of courage," and to be strong. He has made clear that their faith in Christ will face opposition from the culture around them. They must be resolved to remain in their faith with strength and courage.

Paul adds one more command in the following verse.

First Corinthians 16:12–18 contains some of Paul's last-minute instructions to the Corinthians at the close of his letter. He tells them Apollos will not be coming to visit them right away. He urges them to be on guard and stand firm in the faith, likely against false teachers. They must be strong but also do everything in love. Finally, Paul tells them to submit and give recognition to people like those of Stephanas's household. These devoted servant-leaders were the first Christians in Corinth and have greatly encouraged him by coming to see him in Ephesus.

Having finished the main teaching parts of his letter, Paul wraps up with some matters of business. He tells the Corinthians how to gather funds for a special contribution. He describes his travel plans, including his plan to arrive there before winter. He warns them to treat Timothy well and commends a delegation from Corinth that have come to see him. He concludes with greetings from other believers, along with a curse and a blessing. He curses those who do not love the Lord—here apparently meaning false teachers—and prays the grace of the Lord on everyone else.

First Corinthians 16 concludes Paul's long letter to the church in Corinth with several business matters. He instructs them on how to prepare a special contribution for needy Christians in Jerusalem. He describes his plan to visit them in person after wrapping up his ministry in Ephesus and stopping by churches in Macedonia. He reveals that Timothy is coming to them more quickly and that Apollos is not. Finally, he commends a delegation from Corinth that has come to see him. His final words in the letter are a declaration of love for all of them.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.