1 Corinthians ~ Part 32

Note: To examine the graphics in this series, click on them for a pop-up version.

As I emphasized in my previous post, we are delving into the profound significance of Sha’ul’s Letters to the Corinthians, a crucial cornerstone of our faith.

Closing Personal Thoughts

General Exhortations

¹³ Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, behave like a mentsh, grow strong.

Mentsh, Yiddish, meaning a person (male or female) of strong moral character, a truly human being, not just a male member of humanity. The Greek word here is “andrizomai,” which is defined as “conduct oneself in a manly or courageous way,” which is precisely what “behave like a mentsh” means.

 

 

 

¹⁴ Let everything you do be done in love.

Regard for Fellow Workers

¹⁵ Now, brothers, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first people in Achaia to put their trust in the Messiah, and they have devoted themselves to serving God’s people. ¹⁶ I urge you to submit yourselves to people like these and to everyone who works and toils with them. ¹⁷ I am glad that Stephanas and Fortunatus, and Achaicus are here because they have helped make up for your not being here. ¹⁸ They have refreshed my spirit, just as they have yours. I want you to show appreciation for people like these.

Sha’ul encouraged the Corinthians to submit to the household of Stephanas (1:16). The term first fruits is an honorific title referring to their early reception of the gospel in Achaia. Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus visited Sha’ul and made up for the Corinthians’ absence. Noting their high character and gifts for ministry, Sha’ul instructed the believers at Corinth to appreciate them.

Greetings

¹⁹ The congregations in the province of Asia send greetings to you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you in union with the Lord, as does the congregation that meets in their house. ²⁰ All the brothers send you their greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Sha’ul uses greetings to keep “the congregations aware of, and thus in relationship to, one another.” In the context of Sha’ul’s letters (Romans 16:16; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26) and the early church, the holy kiss was a sign of mutual fellowship within the family of believers.

Benediction

²¹ Now, I, Sha’ul, greet you in my own handwriting.

²² If anyone does not love (“phileō ”)the Lord, a curse on him! Marana, ta!

[Our Lord, come!]  This is Sha’ul’s only use of the Greek word “phileō,” which means having “brotherly affection” and is distinct from “agapê.”

²³ May the grace of the Lord Yeshua be with you.

²⁴ My love is with you all, in union with the Messiah Yeshua. ^[1]

The Complete Jewish Bible emphasizes the font of Sha’ul’s signature to show it in his hand, which is writing the benediction.

This concludes our examination of Sha’ul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. In our next post, we will return to the Book of Acts 19 for a short interlude before digging into Sha’ul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Stay tuned for more insights and revelations.

Click here for the PDF version.

^[1] 1 Corinthians 16:13–24.