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Priscilla: I Corinthians 16:12-24
Final Instructions and Greetings

Dear God, my Beloved Father, I respectfully offer my praise and gratitude to You. You are the Almighty God and my Father in Heaven. I thank You for the peaceful and joyful life I have each day with Your Word. I pray that the Holy Spirit may enlighten my spirit as I meditate on Your Word.

Father, I present to You my meditation on I Corinthians 16:12-24, specifically on the closing words of the letter.

12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

Verse 12: I understand that the Apostle Paul strongly desired Apollos and those accompanying him to go and teach the Church in Corinth. However, Apollos did not agree to Paul’s request. He did not go to Corinth at that time, but would come at a more opportune moment. Perhaps Apollos wanted to wait until the divisions and factions within the Church were resolved.

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

Verse 13: I understand that the Apostle Paul urges the people of God to be vigilant in every aspect, especially in discerning the false teachings of fake prophets and deceitful teachers. Through vigilance, the people of God will not succumb to the temptations of the devil. Paul exhorts them to stand firm in their faith, meaning they should live according to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures. They also need to be courageous and strong, remaining steadfast even in times of adversity, without fear. The people of God should understand and believe that unity serves the benefit of those who love God and that Christ is always with His people, as He promised and recorded in Matthew 28:20.

14 Let all your things be done with charity.

Verse 14: I understand that the Apostle Paul advises the people of God to let everything they say and do be done in love. When words and actions are motivated by love, they are beneficial, edifying, and serve as a good example. The love referred to here encompasses love for God and love for others. Out of love for God, they should speak and act in ways that please Him. Out of love for others, they should speak and act in ways that benefit them. Therefore, every word spoken and every deed done by the people of God is for the glory of God and to honor Him.

15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

Verse 15 and 16: I understand that the Apostle Paul mentions the household of Stephanas, a family who were devoted to the Lord during his initial preaching in Achaia. They willingly assisted in meeting the needs of fellow believers who were in poverty in Corinth, as well as supporting the needs of the apostles. It is possible that Stephanas was a leader in the Church in Corinth, and his entire household actively labored alongside Paul in building up the Church in Corinth. Paul advises the people of God to submit to such devoted servants in their ministry to the Church.

17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

Verse 17 and 18: I understand that Stephanas, along with Fortunatus and Achaicus, brought a letter from the Church in Corinth to meet the Apostle Paul in Ephesus. After hearing their account of the state of the Church in Corinth, Paul was greatly encouraged. They provided him with additional details about the Church that were not included in the letter. Paul advises the people of God to appreciate their labor and wholeheartedly receive them upon their return. They had endured hardships and dangers on their long journey, fulfilling the entrusted work of the Church. When they return, they will also bring with them words of sharing and teaching from Paul, refreshing the spiritual life of the people of God within the Church.

19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Verse 19: I understand that the Apostle Paul conveys the greetings of the people of God from the local Churches in Asia Minor to the people of God in Corinth. Among them, Aquila and Priscilla, along with the Church that meets in their home, send warm greetings to the Church in Corinth.

20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

Verse 20 and 21: I understand that the entire congregation of the people of God in the Church at Ephesus sends greetings to the Church in Corinth. The Apostle Paul advises the people of God to greet one another with a holy kiss. In the customs of the Middle Eastern and ancient European cultures, kissing on both cheeks was a way to express affection for one another. The people of God in those regions greeted each other in this manner, but this kiss was called a holy kiss because it represented the love of God within each individual.

I understand that the Apostle Paul had someone else write the letter for him, but he personally wrote the greeting and signed his name at the end of the letter.

22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

Verse 22: I understand that those who are within the Church but do not love the Lord Jesus Christ are individuals who continue to live in sin, satisfying the wrongful desires of the flesh. They may also be arrogant and lack brotherly love towards their fellow believers. People like this deserve to be excluded from the fellowship of the Church. On the day of the Lord’s coming, if they have already died, their physical bodies will not be resurrected to eternal life. If they are still alive, they will be left behind to endure suffering during the End Times.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Verse 23: I understand that the Apostle Paul prays and wishes for the people of God to receive the blessings bestowed upon them by the Lord Jesus Christ. These blessings include being healed from physical ailments, receiving renewed strength, partnering with Christ in His work, and being guided by Him.

24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timotheus.

Verse 24: I understand that the love of the Apostle Paul towards all the people of God in the Corinthian Church is a love that comes from God. He loves them just as Christ loves him, and his heart always remembers them.

Father, I am grateful that You have given me this lesson. Please grant that every one of Your people in the Church may remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith until the day when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to bring the Church into heavenly glory. May all glory and power belong to the Triune God forever and ever. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
06/08/2023