Do Everything in Love – 1 Corinthians 16:13-24
Paul is wrapping up his letter to the Corinthian church. He has instructed them on many vital matters: unity in Christ rather than division over teachers, the misuse of grace leading to immorality in the church, marriage and singleness, Christian liberty and personal convictions, worship and order in church services, the use of spiritual gifts, the importance of the resurrection, and even the practice of giving. Now he leaves them with these final injunctions:
1 Corinthians 16:13 (CSB)
“Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.”
Be alert—false teachers, pride, and self-interest can easily take you off course and distract you from God’s truth. Be courageous as you live out your faith. You face opposition from the outside world, like the Jewish leaders who resist the gospel, but you also need courage for the hard things within the church: pushing back against the pride that causes disunity, the prideful empathy that avoids truth and fails to hold others accountable for sin, the disorder in your gatherings, and the bold proclamation of the gospel, including the resurrection of Jesus. Be strong, remaining faithful to what you’ve been taught—strong in the truth of God’s Word, in the holiness of God, and in the hope of the resurrection.
Yet, in all these firm, courageous, and strong acts, Paul emphasizes a guiding principle.
1 Corinthians 16:14 (CSB)
“Do everything in love.”
In our desire to do what is right and uphold truth, we can sometimes become unloving. Remember 1 Corinthians 13:5-8—love is the most excellent way. As Paul concludes, let us be a people who value unity in Christ, remembering that love binds the body together. In our pursuit of truth, may we seek holiness with grace, motivated by love for God and our neighbor. Let our decisions about personal freedom prioritize our brother’s conscience, showing love through selflessness. In our gatherings, may we edify one another respectfully, fostering an environment where love helps all grow. As we use our God-given abilities, let us serve selflessly for the common good, understanding that love is the greatest gift. Even in our generosity, may we give cheerfully, reflecting the love that compels us to share. In all these things, let our guiding principle be: do everything in love. Are we ensuring that love shapes our courage, strength, and service as we follow Christ?
