1 Corinthians chapter 16

vs 13

Sounds like the sort of thing you would say to a bunch of young men about to go to war. The Christian life isn't as easy as we sometimes make it out to be, is it? Courage, strength, and sticktoitiveness, they are important to the Christian life.

vs 14

But so is love. That is something you wouldn't hear being barked on the battlefield. And it's that false dichotomy that we struggle with - that we must stand firm in strength and courage, and love. They seem so opposed, the language seems all wrong, but that's what we are to do.

vs 15-16

VITMOI man strikes again with the verse numbering.

This is a strong command from Paul here. He is talking about the first converts to Christianity in the region, and tells the Corinthians how this household devoted their lives to serving God through serving the church (it's worth pointing out how much the Corinthian church lacks this). But Paul's command is not to emulate them, or help them out - it is to subjugate themselves to such people! I don't think we'd take too kindly to someone telling us to subject ourselves to someone else because they are doing better work in the Lord than us, but that's what Paul says - to anyone who joins the work and labours in it, you should be a subject.

vs 17

Reading this verse, though, it is hard to say if this is a once-for-all command, or specific to the Corinthians. After all, the men from Achaia are specifically filling a gap that the Corinthian church has. Not that I think we should submit to people who fill lacks in the church, but such a major one, like the serving of the church, is what church leadership is all about, and so such people should be respected.

vs 18

They have been a refreshment to Paul and to the church at Corinth, and hence they should have recognition. And the suggested recognition by Paul seems to be that of a leadership position.

vs 19

Priscilla and Aquilla sure do get around. The rest of the greetings are pretty vague here - the churches in Asia.

vs 20

Obviously, the church knew where Paul was writing from, because he doesn't have to say - only that the brothers where they are send greetings.

It seems odd to put the command to greet one another with a holy kiss at the end of the book like this, but Paul does it more than once.

vs 21

Of course you do. Typical Paul. And typical of a person using an amenuensis.

vs 22

This little curse here has sparked a lot of interesting ideas about why it is written where it is and how it is. Most likely I think is the explanation which says that because there is a bit of tension between the church and Paul during this time, Paul is making it clear to those in the church that if they don't believe and love God, they're in trouble, and that those who do shouldn't follow their lead.

Come O Lord is written Maranatha in some Bibles, which means in Aramaic "Come O Lord". What is interesting is that Paul writes this to a greek church. Obviously it had some currency in Christian circles.

vs 23-24

A lovely way to end a letter - with a blessing of Christ, and a greeting of love.