2. Pattern for a prosperous church ~ cont.
l. Closing instructions and greetings - 1 Corinthians 16:1-24
K. Paul travels from Ephesus to Macedonia, leaves Timothy - 1 Timothy 1:3; Acts 20:1
L. Book of 2 Corinthians (from Macedonia)
1. Motive for Paul's ministry
a. Paul's comfort - 2 Corinthians 1:1-24
b. Discipline recommended - 2 Corinthians 2:1-13
c. Triumphant ministry declared - 2 Corinthians 2:14-17; 3:1-18
I have ALWAYS enjoyed this verse - I know, I know, I have so many, but this one, well, raising sons, I never raised them to be boys, but rather men. This verse seemed to reflect what I was trying to instill in them.
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Gill's commentary is VERY good - however, lengthy - great exhortation. Really, worth the time and effort to read.
watch - G1127 - From G1453; to keep awake, that is, watch (literally or figuratively).
stand fast - G4739 - From the perfect tense of G2476; to be stationary, that is, (figuratively) to persevere.
faith - G4102 - From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself.
quit you like men - G407 - Middle voice from G435; to act manly.
strong - G2901 - From G2900; to empower, that is, (passively) increase in vigor.
Poole's commentary - Watch ye: watching, in its usual acceptation signifieth a forbearing of sleep; and that in order to some end. Sin is set out under the notion of sleep, Ephesians 5:14; so that spiritual watching signifies a diligent abstaining from sin, and from whatsoever may be to us a temptation to sin against God in order to the perfecting of holiness, and the obtaining of life and immortality. Stand fast in the faith: be steady in the profession of the truth and holding close to the doctrine of faith. Quit you like men, be strong: you are as soldiers fighting against the world, the flesh, and the devil; do not behave yourselves like children, whom the least opposition will terrify and throw down; but like men, with a spiritual courage and fortitude, becoming such who have so good a Captain, and so good a cause.
All of which made me think of this: '...having done all to stand(2476), stand (2476) therefore...' (Ephesians 6:13b, 14a)
And because we can all use the exhortation:
Ephesians 6:12-18 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Have you put your armor on today? Are you prepared for the battle? Are you giving any place to the enemy?
For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savor of death ; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:15-16)
Poole's commentary (v16): As sweet smells, which are to some pleasant and comfortable, are to others pernicious and deadly; so it is with the sweet savor of the gospel. The report which we in all places make of Christ, to some, through their unbelief and hardness of heart, and fondness of their lusts, proveth but the savor of death unto death, hardening their hearts to their eternal ruin and destruction; but to such who, being ordained to eternal life, believe our reports, and embrace the gospel, and live up to the precepts and rule of it, our preaching proves a cause of spiritual and of eternal life, to which that leadeth.
How do you smell Bride? Is
there any distinguishing scent? Father when You dispatch Your son to claim His bride, what will He find? O Father you state in Your word, that she is to be presented to Him having no spot or wrinkle, holy without blemish. Lord, she is not ready, she is too conformed to this world. Father Your word states that judgment must begin at Your house. Father, as painful and heart rending as it may be, let the cleansing begin.
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