August
9th
13:
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14:
Let all your things be done with charity. 15: I beseech you,
brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits
of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of
the saints,) 16: That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every
one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. 17: I am glad of the coming
of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking
on your part they have supplied. 18: For they have refreshed my
spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. 19:
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much
in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20: All the
brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. 21: The
salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. 22: If any man love not the
Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. 23: The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24: My love be with you all in
Christ Jesus. Amen.
And
so Paul brings this letter to the Corinthian church to an end. He
says lookout! And stand firm in the faith. (‘The Faith’ is the
whole doctrine of the gospel) He says be men and be strong in Christ.
Paul says let everything you do be done in love. Then he says, I
plead with you that you submit yourselves to the household of
Stephanus. They were the first converts to Christ in Greece. And they
are totally obsessed with serving the believers in the ministry of
the Word. Submit to them and to all of my helpers in this great work
for Christ. I am really pleased for you that Stephanus, Fortunatus
and Achaicus have come to you because they will be able to make up
what was lacking. They are like a breath of fresh air to me and to
you all, so receive them with due respect. The churches of Asia where
l am now, send their greetings. Aquila and Priscilla send their
greetings with the church who meet in their house. All the brethren
here send their greetings. Greet each other with a reverent kiss in
Christ. This final best wishes is written with my own hand. If anyone
does not love the Lord Jesus Christ then let the judgment of God come
upon him and may the Lord soon come. May the unmerited kindness of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And my love be with you all in
Christ Jesus. So may God do this.
- What sort of character and attitudes does Paul encourage?
- What sort of Spirit do you find in Pauls greatings?
- How does Paul close his letter?
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