The way of true wisdom would look like foolishness to the Greco-Roman world (1 Cor. That is why he ends with these particular phrases in 1 Corinthians 16:13. Paul is aware that the pathway of true discipleship for a Gentile church in a city as perplexing, pagan, and powerful as ancient Corinth would require moral courage. In Scripture, God can be like a tender mother and like a bold warrior. In fact, 1 Corinthians 16:14 reads, “Let all that you do be done in love.” In either case, these characteristics are based in strength, for they ultimately stem from the character of God. And this verse does not negate other traits of gospel passion and strength often associated with femininity in classical culture and modern culture, like gentleness, empathy, nurture, or love. Quite the contrary, Paul knows that women can exhibit these traits with great vividness, too. Again, that does not mean women are precluded. There is a warrior-like quality to this verse. “Be watchful”, “stand firm”, “be strong”, and “act like men” are all imperatives that call the believer to convictional living that is rooted in the gospel. Verse 13, in particular, is a list of pastoral challenges for godly living. Our verse is a part of that final list of exhortations. Now he is drawing his thoughts to a close with a final exhortation. He has addressed several issues where disunity and worldly thinking has eroded the health of this church. The apostle has challenged, deconstructed, and reconstructed the faltering unity of the Corinthian church around the logic of the gospel. Paul is concluding this letter in chapter 16. This 12-week study leads readers through the book of 1 Corinthians, highlighting how the gospel of Jesus Christ replaces pride with love and unites Christians to God and to each other. It also makes sense in the context as it continues the thought of the phrases around it. It would have been a word picture that challenged and strengthened both men and women believers in the Corinthians church. It means “conduct oneself in a courageous way.” 1 Paul is indeed relying on the notion that courage is a characteristic of manliness, but that does not negate strength in women, either in his day or our own. The Greek for this phrase is a single word, andrizomai. Whatever the word “act like men” means, it applies to both men and women in the Corinthian church and the church of today. But that does not mean Paul is being patronizing toward women. He is using a word that draws meaning from ideas attached to manhood. To be clear, Paul is drawing on the idea that there is such a thing as objective maleness and femaleness. So, what does it mean? “Men” as a Gendered Yet Universal Idea For many, at first blush, it could read as a sexist statement by Paul. “Act like men” is a phrase that could be easily misunderstood in light of modern sensibilities. In order to get to the clear meaning of a passage, the reader must respect the fact that some words and phrases have an original meaning that must be understood in light of author’s intent. However, that does not mean that the first thing that comes to mind when you read a sentence, which will be a translation from the original language (unless you are actually reading in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek), is accurate. The doctrine of perspicuity is the affirmation that the Bible is sufficiently clear in its teachings. Paul adds one more command in the following verse.This article is part of the What Does It Mean? series.īe watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.-1 Corinthians 16:13 Act Like Men? They must be resolved to remain in their faith with strength and courage. He has made clear that their faith in Christ will face opposition from the culture around them. Paul also tells them to act like men, or to "be men of courage," and to be strong. They must be on the lookout for any kind of false teaching. He urged them to be steadfast and immovable (1 Corinthians 15:58). Paul reminded them the resurrection was essential to the gospel in which they stood (1 Corinthians 15:1). Some had watered down their belief in the resurrection. He may be emphasizing his teaching in the previous chapter about their faith in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and the resurrection of all who follow Him. Paul tells them to be watchful or to stay on their guard, along with the command to stand firm in the faith. Paul's habit of doing this at the end of letters reminds one of a parent restating quickly all the things their child needs to remember before rushing out the door. He turns to sending greetings in a moment, but first he inserts a series of five quick commands. In wrapping up this letter, Paul has been addressing the details of some business matters, as well as the travel plans of himself and others.
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