Greetings and Encouragement

December 28, 2021

Greetings and Encouragement

Pastor To Chongji

Reading: 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

Selected scriptures:

1 Corinthians 16:1-3, 13-14, 19, 22-24

"1 As I commanded the churches of Galatia about giving money for the saints, so do you too. 2 On the first day of every week, each person shall set aside a portion according to his own income, and keep it, lest I will collect it when I come. 3 When I come, whomever you write to recommend, I will send them and send your money to Jerusalem.

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13 Be vigilant, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Do everything you do with love.

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19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila, Priscilla, and the church in their house, greet you fervently in the Lord.

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22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Lord, may you come! 23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. 24 My love in Christ Jesus is with you! "

Times Meditation:

Today's content is the concluding part of a letter, which is meant to be an addendum. The first is the preparation and attitude of the brothers and sisters to consecration (1-3), and everything starts from love (13-14).

Paul summarizes the teachings of the entire epistle in verses 13-14. These two verses have five imperative verbs through which scholars believe Paul responded to the teachings throughout the book:

1. Be alert: readers should be alert not to be assimilated by social culture;

2. Stand firm: under various social shocks and temptations, still insist on living a good testimony;

3. Courage (the original text is to do things like adults): Paul repeatedly accused the Corinthians of being children (chapters 3, 14) throughout the book;

4. Be strong: Don't be influenced by social unfavorable trends, readers should grow in their beliefs;

5. Do it with love: The church should use the gifts with love to connect with the church.

From the content of the letters, it can be seen that the church at that time was meeting at home, and it was a veritable "house church" (19). Likewise the epistle ends with love (22-24).

Answer the prayer:

Love connects all virtues, please help us to live out love.