Signs of Love in the Fellowship
16: 15-24
Signs of love in the fellowship DIG: What are the seven signs of love? What should the Corinthians imitate regarding Stephanas and the others mentioned here? Why should believers be submitted to godly leadership? Why should believers show hospitality?
REFLECT: Given all the hard things Paul wrote to this church, how do you account for the warmth in these verses? How addicted are you to minister to others for love’s sake? What will you take away from this study of First Corinthians? Who can you help this week?
Let everything you do be done in love.
In many ways these verses flow out of, and illustrate, the command of 16:14, “Let everything you do be done in love.” Paul’s closing words are not simply polite words that he threw in at the end of his letter as a matter of custom or courtesy. As much as any part of Scripture, they are part of God’s Word and are given to us for a divine purpose. In these ten verses, either directly or indirectly, Paul is talking about love in the fellowship of the Church. Because the Corinthians’ greatest need was for unconditional love, that was Paul’s last appeal to them. Under the surface of Paul’s closing remarks, we see seven signs of love in the fellowship. These apparently “loose ends” have a harmonious theme, as Paul demonstrates the attitude of love he desired them to have.
1. Evangelism: Now, brothers, you know that the household of Stephanas were the firstfruits (see the commentary on Leviticus, to see link click Ea – Resheet), the first people in Achaia to put their trust in the Messiah (16:15a). You might remember that in 1:16 Paul wrote: Oh yes, I did also immerse Stephanas and his household. We know nothing specific about Stephana’s family. But we do know that at the time Paul wrote First Corinthians, Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus were visiting with Paul (16:17). It is quite possible that they were the ones who delivered the letter from Corinth to Paul in which they asked him the questions that Paul answered in Chapters 7-16.536
Someone has said, “Evangelism is the weeping of God.” Evangelism is the anguished cry of Messiah over a doomed Jerusalem (John 11:35). Evangelism is the call of Moshe to ADONAI, “Please! These people have committed a terrible sin! But if you won’t [atone for their sin], then, I beg you, blot me out of your book which you have written” (Exodus 32:31)! Evangelism is the heartbroken cry of Paul, “My grief is so great, the pain in my heart so constant, that I could wish myself actually under God’s curse and separated from Messiah, if it would help my brothers, my own flesh and blood, the people of Isra’el (Romans 9:2-4a)! Evangelism is the cry of John Knox, “Give me Scotland for Christ or I die.” Evangelism is the weeping in the night of parents of an unsaved child. We need to ask God for that kind of love. We often give up too easily when those to whom we witness resist the gospel, and in doing so we betray the thinness of our love.
Dear Great and Awesome Eternal Father God, Praise You for giving Your children the opportunity to work alongside Your mighty power in evangelism. It is such a joy to tell others about You! Yes, sometimes when we share about how great and loving You are, we are laughed at or mocked; but sometimes the seed of Your love takes root and a new believer is born who will spend all eternity with You. Please help us to remember that when the prospect of being laughed at is making us quiet about You, the consequence of rejecting You is eternity in hell, so we must pray and keep lovingly sharing about Your greatness and love!
Prayer is so important to do before opening our mouths to share about you, so that you may prepare the soil of the person’s heart (Matthew 13:1-7). Prayer is crucial for You to do a mighty work in opening up their heart to want to hear and receive the truth of Your love. It is not our words that are so important. Your mighty power and strength is needed to work in the person’s mind and heart to see the truth of our words about You. Prayer continues to be important as we pray for You to bring circumstances and people into the life of our family and friends that they might be saved.
Our hearts are so burdened for our family members and friends who know about You – but have no relationship with You. I am thinking of family members whose names are . . . and friends whose names are . . . Please do whatever it takes to bring them to bend the knee in love and worship of You. May You bring events and people into their lives that take them from “knowing about You” to “loving and following You” as their Lord and Savior. May You continue to pursue them. Thank You! In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen.
2. Service: Another sign of love can be seen in the deep concern Stephanas and his household had for fellow believers. And they have devoted (Greek: tasso, meaning appointed or determined, even addicted) themselves to serving (Greek: diakonia, from which we get the English word deacon) God’s people (16:15b). Stephanas and his household did not wait to be appointed. They appointed themselves to serve fellow believers. They spontaneously assigned themselves to help meet any need they saw among God’s people. Their service was self-motivated, self-appointed, and self-sacrificing. Though it was sometimes necessary for the early Messianic Community to assign tasks, as with the appointment of deacons, most ministry was done, and still is done, by those who simply see a need and meet it.
Because of its association with drug abuse, the term addiction today has an unfavorable connotation. But it is appropriate to the type of service Paul is talking about here. The apostle himself was addicted to the Lord’s work and strongly encouraged all believers to be like him. Paul did the Lord’s work habitually, out of a powerful, driving compulsion. The more he ministered the more he felt compelled to minister. His tolerance for godly work caused him never to be satisfied with what he was doing, much less with what he had done. He became dependent on the Lord’s work in order to function. He could not live normally if he were not engaged in some needed service for His Lord, for the Lord’s people, or for the unsaved. I am sure that, had he tried to “take it easy” and relax for any length of time, he would have had severe “withdrawal symptoms.” He was not a workaholic, compelled to work for work’s sake. He was addicted to ministry for love’s sake.
3. Submission: We are to submit ourselves not only to appointed leaders in the local congregation but to all those who faithfully do the Lord’s work. In fact, proper submission is the key to Spirit-filled living. All believers are to submit to one another in fear of Messiah. Wives are to submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:21-22). Children are to submit to their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3). Believers are to submit to governing authorities and ordinances (Romans 13:1; First Peter 2:13). Younger men are to submit to older men (First Peter 5:5a). Every believer is to be submissive in the ways ADONAI has ordained. Humility will prevent the submitting person from becoming burdened, and the person submitted to from becoming overbearing. All of you should clothe yourselves in humility toward one another, because God opposes the arrogant, but to the humble He gives grace (First Peter 5:5b). When we are humble, God’s grace gives us graciousness in our leading and graciousness in our following.
Paul wanted the selfish, unsubmissive Corinthians to submit to his model, just as he continually submitted himself to Messiah’s model. We are called to submit ourselves to those who have proved their own submission to Messiah. Who is that person to whom we should submit? It is anyone who faithfully portrays and proclaims the Word of God or serves in His ministry. I urge you to submit yourselves to people like these and to everyone who works and toils with them (16:16). Messiah’s people are not to fight for their own rights, privileges, and respect, but are to seek out and follow those to whom they can submit in Messiah, who can be their teachers and examples. True love brings true submission.537
4. Companionship: Another wonderful sign of loving fellowship is companionship. It is not something we directly do or give; it’s a by-product of other things. Things as simple as standing with a friend who is in trouble or sitting with someone who is sick, or as complex as mutual ministry. The main ingredient of companionship is togetherness. Paul was grateful that his three friends had come from Corinth to be with him. I am glad that Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus are here. They had ministered to Paul in that they had made up for the apostle’s fellow Corinthians not being there with him in Ephesus (16:17). But more than that, they genuinely befriended Paul, by being with him, by encouraging him, and by identifying with his ministry. In so doing they refreshed Paul’s spirit and the spirit of the Corinthian church who had sent them.
ADONAI not only has made us for Himself, but has made us for each other. What the three friends from Corinth did for Paul is what Yeshua promises to do for us. Paul used the same word (Greek: anapauo, meaning refreshed) in this passage that Yeshua used in promising rest to those who believe in Him: Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Paul’s friends helped the hard-pressed apostle find rest and refreshment. They helped him lighten his burdens just by being with him. Because they came from a church that was not known for love or companionship, those three men doubtlessly gave Paul a special spiritual boost. Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land (Proverbs 25:25 NASB). Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus were themselves Paul’s good news from Corinth, cold water to his weary spirit.
The kind of companionship those men offered refreshed everyone involved. They not only refreshed Paul, but they also refreshed the Corinthians. They have refreshed my spirit, just as they have yours (16:18a). When Titus personally reported to Paul the good news of the Corinthian church’s change of heart and repentance of rebelliousness, Paul wrote to tell the church of his joy that now they too were refreshing others with their fellowship: For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all (2 Corinthians 7:13).
5. Respect: I want you to show appreciation (Greek: epiginosko, meaning to know exactly, to recognize or to acknowledge) for people like Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus (16:18b). Paul used the term to tell the Corinthians to acknowledge that what he was writing to them is a command of the Lord (14:37). Now he tells them to show appreciation and recognize those faithful, godly workers for exactly what they were. Paul was not speaking of setting up ornate plaques or statues inscribed with their names on it. He was simply calling for respect and appreciation, which sometimes would be in public and sometimes in private. Proper appreciation of deserving people in the congregations of God is not wrong, but it is pleasing to the Lord.
Typically, the Corinthians were neither respectful nor appreciative. Most were too concerned about his or her own prestige and recognition. They were much more inclined to criticize each other than to build each other up. They were quick to claim: I follow Paul, or I follow Apollos, or I follow Peter, or I follow the Messiah (1:12), but they used those names in pride, not in appreciation. Paul was not respected by many of the Corinthians, who had become arrogant (4:6 and 18, 8:1, 13:4), as though he were not coming back to correct them in person (4:18). Some, apparently, had questioned his apostleship and his authority to teach them or to be supported by them (9:1-6).
The Corinthian church had members who were like Diotrphes, a person John describes as one who loves to be first among them and does not accept what we say. Diotrphes was even jealous of the gentle, loving apostle John. He not only ridiculed and maligned John himself but also the representatives John had sent on his behalf (Third John 9-10). Such a person is not godly, no matter how humanly talented and capable he may be, and should not be imitated. Demetrius, on the other hand, had received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself (Third John 11-12). He is the sort of believer we should imitate, respect and appreciate, so that we may share in their work for the truth (Third John 8).
Epaphroditus was the sort of godly person to be emulated and acknowledged. “Therefore, receive him in the Lord with joy,” Paul told the Philippians, “and hold men like him in high regard. Epaphroditus was the epitome of the unselfish, sacrificial servant. He had served Paul on behalf of the Philippian church, just as Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaius had served him on behalf of the Corinthian church. For he risked his life and nearly died working for the Messiah (Philippians 2:29-30 NASB).
Those worthy of honor do not seek it. What makes them honorable is their humility before the Lord in their service for Him. But though they do not desire honor, those they teach and serve should give them honor. To give such honor is pleasing to God. Respect those who are working hard among you . . . treat them with the highest regard and love because of the work they are doing (First Thessalonians 5:12-13). In writing to Timothy, Paul said: The leaders who lead well should be considered worthy of double honor, especially those working hard at communicating the Word and teaching (First Timothy 5:17).
God’s design for the Church is simple. The godly are to be in leadership. They rule, they teach, they admonish, they set the example. They are chosen because they are especially submissive to the Lord. The rest of the congregations of God are to submit to them, in respect, honor, and love. The leaders are accountable to ADONAI for their leadership, and the rest are accountable to the Lord for submitting and respecting that leadership. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your lives, as people who will have to render an account. So make it a task of joy for them, not one of groaning; for that is of no advantage to you (Hebrews 13:17). If we do not follow and honor those who have rightful leadership, we not only frustrate and inhibit their fruitfulness, but our own as well. We cannot properly serve the Lord if we do not respect godly leaders.
6. Hospitality: The congregations in the province of Asia send greetings to you (16:19a). As implied in these verses, love always produces hospitality, love for strangers. Paul did not make idle comments, much less stretch the truth, in order to impress his readers. It was not that the congregations in the province of Asia necessarily had sent formal greetings to the church at Corinth, but he was passing on genuine greetings. Those churches were honestly concerned for their fellow believers in Corinth, and their leaders asked Paul to greet them when he had the opportunity. Most of those involved were strangers to each other, but the love expressed was no less genuine because of that.
In the early Church the homes of believers were used for almost every type of activity for believers – for eating together (Acts 2:4-6); for teaching and preaching (Acts 5:42); for evangelism (Acts 10:23, 27-48); for worship (Acts 20:7); and for witnessing and discussion (Acts 28:23). Often the home of a believer was the regular meeting place for worship and fellowship. It was on behalf of the church house of Aquila and Priscilla with the congregation that meets in their house, that Paul sent greetings to Corinth (16:19b).
When believers traveled from place to place in the B’rit Chadashah they could expect, almost without exception, to be entertained with great care and love by fellow believers. There were no strangers among believers (Acts 2:42-46). Hospitality was second nature, a matter of course, a natural outgrowth of their love for Messiah and for all who belonged to Him. The home of every believer today should be open, transparent, and a loving haven for those who need hospitality.
The outstanding sign of the Good Samaritan was hospitality (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Gw – The Parable of the Good Samaritan). Both directly and indirectly he did everything in his power to assist the man who was beaten and robbed. Because he felt compassion, he came upon him; and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. So he went up to him, put oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them. Then he set him on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day, he took out two days’ wages, gave them to the innkeeper and said, “Look after him; and if you spend more than this, I’ll pay you back when I return” (Luke 10:33-35). The supreme sign of being a believing neighbor is hospitality; and hospitality is a notable sign of love in the life of a believer.538
7. Affection: Greet one another with a holy kiss (16:20). This has definite cultural overtones. It was customary in biblical times, and even today in some Middle Eastern countries, for men to greet men with a kiss on the check, and for women to do the same for women It was purely an expression of sincere affection between two believers, with no sexual significance whatsoever.
Now, I Sha’ul, greet you in my own handwriting (16:22a). Paul would commonly use a scribe to write his letters. Paul’s heart still throbbed with emotion which refused to be suppressed. Before he added the customary benediction as his last word (Galatians 6:18; Philippians 4:23; First Thessalonians 5:28; Second Thessalonians 3:18 and Philemon 25), his spirit and his pen almost involuntarily react to all the abuses which he was attempting to correct in Corinth, and he recorded his apostolic verdict regarding all those who would dare to remain hard-hearted and to continue in their rebellion (see the commentary on Hebrews As – Today, If You Hear His Voice, Do Not Harden Your Hearts).539
There were unbelievers drawn to the pagan practices in the congregation at Corinth. Paul issues them a final warning. If anyone who had not stepped over the line from mere head knowledge to faith, and does not have even so much as personal attachment or brotherly affection (Greek: phileo) for the Lord, let him understand that he is in danger of having a curse (Greek: anathema) placed on him (16:22b)! It is the same word used in reference to those Judaizers in Galatia (see the commentary on Galatians Ag – Who Were the Judaizers?) who were wreaking havoc in the churches there (see the commentary on Galatians Aj – No Other Gospel). Strong language by anyone’s standard, but appropriate language gives the eternal consequences of leading someone away from Messiah and causing dissension in the Church. The Greek word anathema comes from the Hebrew concept of cherem, meaning untouchable and devoted for destruction.540
Marana, ta! [Our Lord, come!]! The Greek maranatha, Marana ta (16:22c), is a transliteration of two Aramic words which must have been a common expression in the Greek congregations. This resembles: Come Lord Yeshua (Revelation 22:20). That the Lord Yeshua may come at any moment should have spurred the careless to listen to Paul’s warning and encourage everyone to expect the promises of ADONAI to be fulfilled. This rallying cry is consistent with the warm greeting in the final two verses.541
All of Paul’s letters close with a grace-benediction. May the grace of the Lord Yeshua be with you. My love (Greek: agape, meaning God’s unconditional love) is with you all, in union with the Messiah Yeshua (16:23-24). Paul sincerely wanted the best for this group of Messianic followers. Grace is the beginning and the end of the gospel; it is the single word that most fully expresses what God has done and will do for His children in Messiah; nothing is deserved, everything is freely given. Given that reality, the concluding expression of Paul’s own unconditional love for the Corinthians is all the more striking. Although sincere, it was also likely it was added to soften the blow of what at times had been a very harsh letter, in which he and they had been at odds on almost every issue every step of the way. To write as he did, did not mean that he loved them less, but more. As a result, along with the benediction of grace from the Lord, he affirms that his own love is also with them. What makes all this possible are the final words in union with Messiah Yeshua. Just as Paul began the letter (1:1-3), so he concludes by reminding them that their common life together, and thus his love for them, only takes place as they and he are together in union with Messiah Yeshua.542
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