City Life Starter

The WORD: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NKJV)

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.”

By Heather Mattingly

These two verses begin the concluding sentences of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, and Paul is direct with his words. Your concluding remarks are like a Farewell address, so why did Paul choose these simple  words to exhort the Corinthian believers? This letter was originally written in the Greek language, so let’s take an in-depth look at his words to our ancient family of believers in Corinth:

“Watch” –  this word in Greek is “gregoreo,” which means “to keep awake, keep watch, give strict attention to, to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one.”  This is the picture of an alert soldier, on the lookout for enemy fighters. This is a constant tenet of our faith; Paul is reminding us that we must never forget that we are at war.

“stand firm” – this word in Greek is “steko” which means “to stand firm, to persevere, to persist, to keep one’s standing, to be stationary.” The Lord does not order us to advance; His orders are to stand. The Lord fights for you! This is counter-intuitive, isn’t it? If you are at war, shouldn’t you be advancing? But the Bible says, “…stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord…” (Exodus 14:13). And in the book of Ephesians, when Paul writes about the full armor of God, our orders are, “…put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13). The culture of this world is like a current in a river. It takes a lot of strength just to stand your ground in the middle of a flowing river.

“in the faith” – the Greek word is “pistis” and means, “conviction of the truth, belief, fidelity, faithfulness, the character of one who can be relied on.” God’s orders through His servant Paul are not only for us to stand firm, but to stand firm in the faith. It sounds too simple, but is it? Every day, there are messages screaming at you to deny the faith and flow with the current culture of the world around you. Yet, “without faith, it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6). Don’t worry, you have as much as you need to get you through. God is faithful!

“be brave” – the Greek word for this is “andrizomai.” This verse is the only time this word is used in the Bible. This word actually means, “to make a man of, to make brave, to show one’s self a man, to act manly.” Paul seems to be specifically exhorting the men to a higher standard than that of the world around them. It takes a different kind of strength to stand firm in the midst of chaos.

“be strong” – the Greek word is “krataioo” and means, “to strengthen, make strong, to be made strong.” This implies being made strong, but how? The answer is a Person – the Holy Spirit. God Himself inside you gives you the strength you need to stand firm in the day of evil. He empowers you with His strength to face your day, no matter what comes, and to be able to stand at the end of it.

“Let all that you do be done in love” There is no substitute or translation for the word “all.” Let all that you do be done with love. Everything. The acts you do that are seen by others and the acts you do in your own room when no one is looking. Let all the things you do be done in love. This word love in Greek is “agape,” which means, “affection or benevolence, specially a love-feast.” A love-feast! Who can love with this kind of abundance at all times in all things? In and of ourselves, we cannot. But the Holy Spirit inside of us can. Oh, let us us ask for His help again as we start this new day.

Prayer:

Father, please help me to “watch and stand firm in the faith” (1 For 16:13) today. Holy Spirit, will you empower me with Your strength to face this day, to do everything in Your love today, to receive whatever You give, and to glorify You in this day? I need You every moment. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”