Look at Paul’s four instructions in verse 13, which echo the orders an army commander gave to troops. These remind the Corinthians to guard against fitting into their surrounding culture so well that they forget they are Christians. How might these instructions be important for us today? What are the dangers we need to guard against? Then, Paul returns to his theme of the importance of love (v 14). Think back to what you learned from his letter in chapters 10–14. Why is Paul’s reminder about love so important?

In verses 15–18, Paul looks back over the history of the Corinthian church. Why was the household of Stephanas so important to Paul? He had obviously found the visit of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus really important (v 18). They brought a breath of fresh spiritual air to Paul. Think of people who do that for you.

Paul writes his final greetings in his own hand rather than have his scribe do it (v 21). He finishes with a reminder to stay true to the Lord as they wait for his coming (v 22), and a prayer that they are kept in the grace of the Lord Jesus (v 23). His affection for the Corinthian church is obvious from his final sign-off (v 24).

… give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.’¹

These closing words reinforce some of the great themes of 1 Corinthians and give us something new to reflect on as well. The reinforcement, first of all. We are told to ‘stand firm’ yet again (v 13). When Scripture says something so often we need to take special note. We are reminded about love as well (v 14) and we see practical demonstrations of love in the warm greetings that combine depth of relationship with holiness (JB Phillips’ translation of verse 20, ‘I should like you to shake hands all round as a sign of Christian love’, was not his finest hour!). We see practical, costly love demonstrated by the household of Stephanas (vs 15–18). To live consistently in these ways is hard, but Paul’s closing greeting conveys the grace of Jesus which cleanses, strengthens and equips (v 23). 

The material on Stephanas’ household prompts a further reflection. They have ‘devoted’ themselves to the service of others, specifically to God’s people, and have clearly been doing this for some time since they were first to come to Christ in Achaia. Their help for Paul is just one concrete example of this practical devotion. Now notice a crucial point. It is because of their way of life – their devoted service – that the Corinthians were to ‘submit’ to them. See how Paul explicitly connects the two in verse 16. Here are leaders who can be trusted, for they are people of integrity. If you are a Christian leader (and many of us have at least some leadership responsibilities) your way of life is crucial. People deserve leaders of character, faith and holiness. What are we like in private when no one is watching, or with our families? The psalmist prayed ‘give me an undivided heart’.¹ Here is 360-degree devotion. What better way to close this set of reflections? 

Spend time today praying that the lessons learned over the past few weeks may be firmly embedded in our lives. 

¹ Ps 86:11