Act Like A Man (by Ed Allen)

Act Like A Man (by Ed Allen)
Download PDF

1 Corinthians 16: 13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

(Observation) Paul closes this letter to the Corinthians with a few requests concerning others who have and will minister to them. In the midst of those requests are these five exhortations. The first four exhortations are military like. The last urges love.

(Interpretation) I suggest to you that Paul’s military style exhortation anticipates struggle for the Corinthians against evil and temptation. In battle, men fight and give themselves up out of love for their country, family and fellow soldiers. So also, in Christian service, men are to give themselves up for those to whom they minister, just as Christ “gave Himself up” for the church.

(Cross-referenceEphesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 5: 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

1 Corinthians 13: 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(Application) In my own life, I am also to do as Paul exhorted the Corinthians and “actlike a man” giving myself up for those whom God has given me to love.

What do you think: Is Paul’s command to “act like men” carried out today by givingone’s self up for those (including your family) over whom you have influence?