Final Instructions

1Cor. 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Six final commands to Christians:

1. Watch—be continually on your guard:

(1) For Christ’s coming (Mat. 24:42)

(2) That you enter not into temptation (Mat. 26:41)

(3) That you may be worthy to escape all these things (tribulations, Luke 21:36)

(4) For grievous wolves (Acts 20:29)

(5) In prayer (Col. 4:3; 1Pet. 4:7)

(6) In soberness (1Th. 5:6)

(7) In all things (2Tim. 4:5)

Conclusion

Exhortation on appropriate conduct and commendation

Paul began the conclusion with a pointed exhortation along a five-fold line. The command, Be on your guard (grēgoreite) might be rendered “be diligent” in carrying out the will of God (cf. 1Cor. 15:58, “give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord”).

Watch...

γρηγορεύω

grēgoreuō

gray-gor-yoo'-o

From to awaken; to keep awake, that is, watch (literally or figuratively): - be vigilant, wake, (be) watch (-ful).

2. Stand fast in the faith (Gal. 5:1; Php. 1:27; 4:1; 1Th. 3:8; 2Th. 2:15). Keep rank. Do not be disorderly or retreat. Keep unity. Let nothing divide you so that Satan can defeat you.

In view of the Corinthians’ susceptibility to false teachers (cf. 2Cor. 11:3) the exhortation to stand firm in the faith was a timely reminder (cf. 1Cor. 15:1, 15:58).

ye, stand fast...

στήκω

stēkō

stay'-ko

From the perfect tense of abide, appoint; to be stationary, that is, (figuratively) to persevere: - stand (fast).

in...

ἐν

en

en

A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between to or into and from, out); “in”, at, (up-) on, by, etc.: - about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-) by (+ all means), for (. . . sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-) in (-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-) on, [open-] ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, [speedi-] ly, X that, X there (-in, -on), through (-out), (un-) to(-ward), under, when, where (-with), while, with (-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.

the...

ὁ, ἡ, τό

ho hē to

ho, hay, to

The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): - the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

faith,...

πίστις

pistis

pis'-tis

From to convince; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

3. Behave like men (1Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:14). Do not flinch in the fight. Maintain your ground at all costs. Resist, press forward. Strike deadly blows.

quit you like men,...

ἀνδρίζομαι

andrizomai

an-drid'-zom-ahee

Middle voice from a man; to act manly: - quit like men.

4. Be strong (Luke 1:80; 2:40; Eph. 3:16). Keep yourself fit. Learn how to conquer. Die in the contest or win.

So too were the closing exhortations (similar to the Gr. text of several Pss., e.g., Psm. 27:14; 31:24) to be men of courage and be strong, that is, marked by maturity (cf. 1Cor. 14:20) and not infants easily swept aside (cf. Eph. 4:14).

be strong...

κραταιόω

krataioō

krat-ah-yo'-o

From powerful; to empower, that is, (passively) increase in vigor: - be strengthened, be (wax) strong.

That sort of diligence and commitment is required if everything is to be done in love (cf. 1Cor. 12:31b-14:1).

5. Do all things in love (see, 1Cor. 13:4).

6. Submit to all true workers (1Cor. 16:15-16).