1 Corinthians 16:10-18

Here are some practical thoughts from this ‘wrapping up’ section of 1 Corinthians 16:

Make life as easy as you can for church leaders (10, 11). You don’t know the burdens they carry, the troubles that weigh on their hearts, and the sacrifices they make. Pray for them and support them as best you can. By all means tell them when you think they’re in the wrong. Good leaders will value this and listen carefully. But don’t make their ministry any harder than it needs to be. They are carrying on the work of the Lord, just as Paul did. We need to honour that fact, and seek to be those who ‘refresh’ our leaders (17, 18). If Timothy shows up, take good care of him. Make him feel completely at home among you. He works so hard for the Master, just as I do. Don’t let anyone disparage him. The Message.

We can encourage people to do what we believe is the right thing for them, but we cannot coerce them (12). We who exercise leadership in the churches are shepherds of the flock, not dictators. We exhort but we do not use force. There is a place for willing submission (16) but no authentic Christian leader wields a battering ram.

There will be a right time to do the right thing (12b). If we keep in step with the Lord He will reveal it to us.

All Christians have to be on guard (13) because there is an enemy who wants to steal the faith from us. We are soldiers in a fierce battle, and the Christian life demands courage and strength. But let us also remember that without love we are nothing (14; cf. 1 Cor.13). There are those in the church who love the truth very much and will fight like terriers on its behalf. That is all very commendable. But sometimes they don’t seem to love people all that much. Mister Valiant for truth must also be Mister Great-heart! Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping. The Message

How wonderful it is when you see people come to Christ, and then watch ‘fruit’ grow liberally and abundantly on the branches of their lives. It was like this with the household of Stephanas (15). What a blessing these exemplary converts were to Paul and the whole church (15, 16). You know, they were among the first converts in Greece, and they’ve put themselves out, serving Christians ever since then. I want you to honor and look up to people like that: companions and workers who show us how to do it, giving us something to aspire to. The Message.