Sunday, November 17, 2013
pm
STUDIES IN 1 CORINTHIANS
(62)
Final Exhortations
1 Cor. 16:19-24
The past few lessons have examined some of Paul’s final
admonitions. In typical
fashion, he concludes this letter with personal admonitions including
greetings, local business, etc.
As we have noted, sometimes these verses are passed over with
little thought, but as with everything else in God’s word, there are
lessons to glean. In our
last lesson we examined the devotion (i.e. “addiction”) of the household
of Stephanas. Today we
notice his final thoughts in this letter. 1 Cor. 16:19-24
a.
The churches of Asia greet you.
As we have noted, it is believed this letter was written from Ephesus
(which is in Asia). Paul had
great success teaching throughout Asia during his 3 years in Ephesus
(Acts 20:31). We know
there were several churches in Asia, among them the seven church to
which Revelation was written (Rev. 1:4,11)
Demonstrating a mutual concern, the brethren of Asia prayed for Paul
LESSON: While we clearly emphasize our independence and autonomy as
local congregations, there is a sense in which we are bound together in
Christ with others of “like
precious faith” throughout the world. Wherever
there are faithful brethren, we ought to be concerned about them.
In some instances, if we are afforded opportunity, we can help
them with needs (such as Paul’s collection for needy brethren in Judea –
1 Cor. 16:1).
OF course, in this we must be clear that whatever recognition we have of
brethren in other places is based upon adherence to the truth of God’s
word. If a church is
teaching and practicing error, there is to be NO fellowship of such (cf.
2 John 9-11). That is taught
in too many places, including Paul’s call for unity in 1 Corinthians (1
Cor. 1:10, etc.) as well the continuity of his message to various
congregations (cf. Gal. 1:1-1 – to the churches of Galatia and Rev. 2 &3
where 7 messages were delivered to independent congregations, yet the
message applied to all of them.
7 times we read, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches.” [2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22).
b.
Aquila and Priscilla
send their greetings
– this couple is an interesting study.
We first meet them in Corinth (Ac. 18:1-3) where Paul meets them
and works with them because they were of the same trade – tentmakers.
They had been forced to leave Rome because Claudius had expelled
all Jews). They are probably
converted there by Paul and immediately support the gospel in many ways.
They sail with Paul to Ephesus and stay there while he moves on.
(Acts 18:18-19, 24-26)
After Paul left, they were instrumental in correcting Apollos of
the errors he taught.
Interestingly, Apollos then goes to Corinth (Acts 18:27-19:1).
IT is also worthy of note that one way they helped brethren was by
allowing them to assemble in their home – Rom. 16:3 – in Rome and
Ephesus – 1 Cor. 16:19.
c.
All the brethren greet you – see above comment.
d.
Greet one another with a
holy kiss
– not a specific ritual, but a common greeting of endearment.
It is like our handshake or perhaps a hug.
The truth is it our greetings to one another should be more than
a casual acquaintance. We
need to care for one another and rejoice at seeing one another.
Are we the family we ought to be?
in at least 4 other
letters, Paul concludes with similar language (Gl. 6:11, Col. 4:18, 2
Thess. 3:17, Philemon 19).
It is evident that Paul did not actually write his letters.
Romans 16:22 identifies Tertius as having actually written that
letter on Paul’s behalf.
Perhaps he had some type of impediment – either blindness or problems
writing (remember he had a thorn in the flesh and was weak in appearance
– 2 Cor. 10:1, 12:7), but with most of his letters (if not all) he would
sign it and write something at the end with his own hand thus
authenticating that it was his letter.
a.
We are
reminded of our need to love the Lord in many passages
i.
1 John
4:19 says, “We love him because He
first loved us.”
ii.
1 Peter
1:7–8, “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious
than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to
praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having
not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you
rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,”
iii.
John
14:15, “If you love Me, keep My
commandments.”
b.
This
sounds like a typical challenge and it describes a truth worthy of
consideration. But, the word
“love” used here is from the Greek, (φιλέω, phileo) which is not the
typical word for Christian love.
It is a word that means to show tender affection and a closeness of
relation. It is
associated with brotherly love (2 Pet. 1:7, Heb. 13:1)
This demonstrates that our relationship with the Lord Jesus must be
REAL. That does not mean in
the same way we have a physical relationship with our friends and family
that we love, but REAL nonetheless.
We need to have feelings for God and our Lord that are real –
care, humility, gratitude, etc.
c.
Let him be
accursed – the word is ἀνάθεμα “anathema” as some versions transliterate
the word. IT is a word that
means to be placed under a curse or we might say - totally cut off and
rejected. It is found 6
times in the NT including Galatians 1:8-9.
The point is that one who rejects the
Lord WILL face the condemnation of God.
a.
The Greek
word is μαράναθα (Maranatha).
And it means, “O Lord, Come”
b.
Some
attach this word to the previous – anathema.
In so doing they say that Paul is concluding with a strong
warning for those who rejected the Lord, “Let him be accursed at the
coming of the Lord.”
c.
But by
itself, it is a desire that ought to be in the mind of every Christian.
What a fitting ending request for a letter such as this one.
The desire for the Lord to return.
d.
We ought
to desire the Lord to return in many different ways:
i.
Physically
we look for the day of His return – 2 Pet. 3:10-12
ii.
I might
also see in this a simple request that the Lord’s will be done.
Considering all that Paul has addressed, his desire is that the
Lord’s will prevail and they respond properly.
iii.
We ought
to desire that He be with us (as we submit to His will) – in this letter
Paul has addressed many things that need to be corrected.
IF they were corrected, perhaps it would mean the Lord would come
to them (and bless them in accord with Him) – Rev. 3:20, the Lord stood
and knocked. If anyone would
open He said, “I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.
a.
Paul’s
typical ending and benediction.
Even with all the problems Corinth faced, Paul desired the grace
of God to shine upon them.
From this we can glean that no matter how dire the circumstance there is
still hope – IF all will submit to His will.
b.
“My love
be with you all in Christ Jesus.
Amen.” This letter
was written out of love.
Sometimes we need to be tough as we deal with our loved ones who have
strayed. We do what we have
to so that we can “snatch them out of the fire” (Jude 22-23)