Time to say Good Bye

Time to say Good Bye. 1 Corinthians 16.10-24

We’ve been reading someone else’s mail. If the Corinthians know, they might even feel embarrassed that we know so much of their dirty
laundry! I mean, think of it—they fought over their
teachers, took one another to court, involved themselves in some
practices that would have made pagans blush! They turned
the Lord’s Supper into an excuse to party, they abused their spiritual gifts, using
them for their own glory, and turned God’s house into a freak show. Embarrassing.

Paul had no idea that people like us would be reading this letter 2,000 years later, in a much different time and place, but because his writing was
inspired by the Holy Spirit,
it survived the centuries. More than that, our
understanding of the gifts, and doctrine of the Resurrection would be
incomplete without this first letter of Paul’s to the Corinthian
believers. (What would wedding ceremonies be without “love
is patient, love is kind…” from chapter 13??)

Foremost among the teachings from this letter is Paul’s succinct delivery of the gospel in chapter 15—that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised from the dead
according to the Scriptures, and he appeared alive again to hundreds of
witnesses. That’s it, Friends—Jesus did what was
prophesied 700 years earlier of him, he did what he told his disciples
he would do—we serve a risen Lord!

Perhaps of secondary importance would be the message of chapter 13—without love, we are nothing. ‘Doesn’t matter if you are an
eloquent speaker with an Ivy-league degree, rich pedigree, and filled
with spiritual gifts—if you do not have and live in love, none of the
rest counts.

Paul closes out his letter to the Corinthian believers, making sure that they would love and accept one another well. He both endorses and commends those who have been faithful and worked hard
in the service of God. Once
again, we see Paul mentioning fellow believers in different towns so
that they would know they were part of a larger movement—Christianity
was on the rise!

If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should refuse to
accept him. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I
am expecting him along with the brothers. Now about our brother
Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was
quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Do everything in love.

You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, to submit to
such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and
Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and
yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one
another with a holy kiss.

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse be on him. (he will be accursed) Come, O Lord!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen. 1 Corinthians 16.10-24

What a brilliant charge Paul gives those he loves!

Be on your guard. Stand firm in the faith.

Be men of courage. Be strong.

Do everything in love. v. 13-14

If I was being shipped off to Siberia today and could write Bible study no longer, that would be a great closing statement. Five things—be
aware, Christian—there’s
a battle going on around you; stand firm, and be strong in your faith. Be
men of courage—I especially like this charge because we have become so
weak as individuals, it seems like courage has long ago been abandoned. And
then, the standard—do everything in love.

Grace to you,

Christine