Sunday, October 27, 2013
pm
Studies in 1 Corinthians
(61)
The Household of Stephanas
1 Cor. 16:15-18
In the final verses of this book, in typical Pauline fashion,
he sends personal greetings and plans.
We have noted some of these over the past few lessons.
Today we will examine his message about the household of
Stephanas.
a.
We know little about
Stephanas. Mentioned only in
1 Corinthians – in 1:16 where we find that Paul baptized him and twice
here (vs. 15 & 17).
b.
He is here described as,
“The firstfruits of Achaia.”
Achaia is the region in which Corinth is found.
It was actually the southern half of Greece.
Some of its major cities included Athens, Corinth (the
administrative center) and Sparta (not mentioned in the Bible).
The idea of “firstfruits” is some of the original or the very first of a
group. We sometimes speak of
“charter members” which means they were there when an organization was
formed.
Paul preached in Athens before he went to Corinth.
So if Stephanas was the “firstfruits of Achaia” either he was
converted there and went to Corinth, OR it could mean he was one of the
first in Corinth to obey the gospel, which seems to be the case (see 1
Cor. 1:16). So he was one of
the first in that PART of Achaia. This
also seems to be supported by Romans 16:5 where Epaenetus is also
described as “the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.”
a.
The word “devoted”
means, to do something with great devotion to the cause, to give of
oneself (L&N, 68.69). The
actual one is one that deals with placing things in order or arranging.
(Vine’s) The idea of this word in our text is that they were dedicated
wholly to the “ministry of the saints”.
Some have also attached the idea that it was voluntary, and thus above
and beyond the minimum expected.
b.
“Addicted” - the word in
the KJV is “addicted.”
While our usage of that word today is not the intended meaning of
this text, it drives home the point of how dedicated these brethren
were.
THINK of what is involved in that word as it relates to being devoted.
In our language, it has a negative connotation, describing one
who is consumed by some substance or activity and cannot seem to
overcome it. Usually when
one is addicted:
i.
It becomes something
that they are dependent upon.
In other words, it is something they have to have.
They cannot live without it.
ii.
It becomes a priority or
an obsession in their lives.
When given a choice of feeding their addiction or doing something else,
they will always choose their addiction.
iii.
Everything is affected
by it – relationships, work, hobbies, what they think about, etc.
iv.
They devote considerable
resources to it – their money, energy, time, etc.
v.
Often they will seek out
others who will join them in their behavior
vi.
It becomes something
that is almost impossible to overcome.
c.
BUT, what if one were
“addicted” to serving God and his brethren. Apply that to our service to
God! Something to think
about!
i.
Are we dependent upon
God and Jesus? Is our lives such that we cannot live without Him?
Psa. 62“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from
Him.”
Prov. 3:5 - trust in Him and lean not on your own understanding.
John 15:5 of Jesus, He said, “Without me you can do nothing.”
ii.
It serving Him a real
priority in our lives? Maybe
obsession is not a good word for this, but he ought to be on our mind
continually and serving Him ought to be our pleasure.
Matt. 6:33 – seek first the kingdom of God;
Exodus 20:3 – no other gods before Me
Matt. 6:24 - you cannot
serve 2 masters - God and mammon
Gal. 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ…
iii.
Does our service to Him
affect everything that we do and every relationship we are a part of?
Colossians 3:17 – do all in the name of the Lord
Luke 2:49 – Jesus as a youth, “I must be about my Father’s business”
Matt. 8:18-22 – Lord I will follow you wherever You go.
Jesus, - “Will you…?”
Matt. 19:21 – to the rich young ruler, “IF you want to be perfect, go
sell what you have…”
Luke 14:25-27 – whoever
does not hate all and take up his cross, “cannot be My disciple?”
When faced with a choice of doing something for God or something else –
which usually wins out?
iv.
What resources do we
devote to serving Him –
Do we give as we ought to? 1
Cor. 16:1-2, 2 Cor. 9:6-7
Do we give of our time? Do we give of our abilities? Matt. 25:15
Do we give UP things that hinder our minds and heart?
Matt. 6:19-21, Phil. 3:7-8
Are we a living sacrifice for Him? Rom. 12:1
v.
Do we prefer to be
around others of “like precious faith”?
1 Cor. 15:33, 1 Pet. 2:17 – love the brotherhood, Heb. 10:24
Phil. 2:3, esteem others better than yourself
vi.
Are we so firmly rooted
in Him that Satan cannot defeat us?
Not saying to arrogantly boast like Peter that we cannot fall,
(Matt. 26:30-35, 1 Cor. 10:12), but
just such a firm conviction that nothing in this life will draw us away
from Him (Eph. 4:14, Rom. 8:35-39).
1 John 4:4 – he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
a.
Praise for their coming
to him and their help. In
vs. 17 Paul mentions Fortunatus and Achaicus (mentioned only here),
along with Stephanas.
It is believed that these men are the messengers FROM Corinth who
delivered the letter and/or information to Paul that prompted him to
write this letter.
They supplied what was lacking (probably not financial support since he
mentions refusing that in the second letter – 2 Cor. 11:8), so it was
the report Paul was waiting for.
IN it, while there were problems (many), they were still standing
fast for Christ. And as
such, they refreshed Paul’s spirit and ultimately theirs as well.
b.
Here is a challenge to
SUPPORT those who are actively doing the work of the Lord, whether it be
helping the saints or reaching the lost.
The word, “labors” (κοπιάω, kopiao) is an intense word describing one
engages in hard work, toiling.
c.
LESSON: Let us not
forget that we are a team, a body with many parts, etc.
And sometimes the parts are not as noticeable (see 1 Cor.
12:12-27). They gave Paul
what he needed – information!
d.
As a result, Paul called
for them to be acknowledged.
One of the challenges of the godly who are busily working for Him is
that they don’t think about being praised.
It is not their purpose.
But recognizing good work is a good thing and needed from time to
time. When one continues to
do something and is never recognized there is the tendency to become
discouraged and frustrated, especially when the task is difficult,
unpleasant and exhausting.
They need a little praise.
We are told to recognize our elders (Heb. 13:7, 17).
We are to note those who are laboring for His cause (Phil. 3:17,
1 Thess. 5:12, etc.).
e.
THOUGHT: What would be
said about you if Paul were writing about the congregation here?