126. 1CO 16:13. PAUL’S CHARGE TO THE CORINTHIANS

1Co_16:13. Paul’s Charge to the Corinthians

"Watch ye; stand fast in the faith; quit you like men; be strong."’971Co_16:13.

The language of the text is quite of a martial description. We should at once presume it to be the address of a general to his troops; as if he were saying to them: Don’t neglect guard; see that the sentinels do their duty. Be firm and unyielding as valiant men; and bring all your united energies to bear against the common enemy be strong.

Now believers are soldiers, soldiers of Christ’s cross; and it is under this metaphorical representation that the text is addressed to them. Let us then, I. Explain and illustrate the charge given. And, II. Enforce it by a variety of motives.

Let us then,

I. Explain and illustrate the charge given.

The charge consists of four parts.

1. Vigilance.

"Watch ye." This is the opposite of apathy and sloth; the opposite of indifference and slumber; a duty often enjoined and of essential importance. This will be obviously both our duty and interest, when we reflect,

(1) Upon the subtlety of our adversaries. Especially Satan, of whose devices we are not ignorant.

(2) Our position is critical. Passing through the country of the enemy. He is called the god of this world. Here he has his seat. Here he goeth about, &c.

(3) Our own hearts are deceitful. The strongest have been overcome; the wisest, deceived; the holiest, ensnared; the boldest, intimidated. For proofs, we refer to Sampson, David, Solomon, Peter, &c.

How necessary, then, that we be vigilant! The next part of the charge is,

2. Constancy.

"Stand fast in the faith." Do not abandon your posts of trust and honor. Stand fast,

(1) On Christ, the foundation of faith. "Other foundation can no man lay," &c. All else is yielding sand. Here only is there firm foothold. Stand fast,

(2) By the standard of faith; which is the Holy Scriptures. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly," &c. "To the law and to the testimony," &c. Stand fast,

(3) In the exercise of faith. As the eye of the spiritual mind, it must ever be directed to the cross’97"Looking unto Jesus," &c. As the hand of the soul, it must hold fast the horn of salvation, and it must distinguish all our reading, hearing, praising, praying, fighting, &c. We must live by faith in the Son of God, &c. This charge comprises,

3. Manliness.

"Quit you like men." Avoid all that is childish, and trifling, and fanciful.

(1) Be prudent as men. In understanding and knowledge, men. Wisdom very essential, &c.

(2) Decided as men. Not wavering, not changing and fickle, as the child; but resolved and determined as men.

(3) Courageous as men. Not timid and fearful as children; but full of holy boldness and resolution.

This charge includes,

4. Strength.

"Be strong." Not in yourselves, but in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might The Christian’s sufficiency is of God.

(1) Be increasingly strong. Grow in grace, &c. Go on from babes to young men, &c. Use all the means to attain strength.

(2) Be practically strong. Lay it out Devote it;o God. In all duties and difficulties bring all your strength to bear upon them, and thus be strong.

(3) Be perseveringly strong. Go from strength to strength, from conquering to conquer, &c., till the alarm of war be exchanged for the shout of victory and triumph.

Let us then,

II. Enforce the Charge by a variety of Motives.

We press the charge upon you,

1. Because your cause is good.

Cause of truth, of righteousness, of salvation, of God. No tyranny nor despotism associated with it. No misgivings on account of its oppressive character.

2. Your Captain is great.

Jesus is the Captain of salvation, Heb_2:10; He is the Bozrah Conqueror, the Spoiler of hell, Satan, and death. Invincibility is engraven on his shield, and Immortality on his banners.

3. Your armory is perfect.

Every weapon, both defensive and offensive, is provided for you. See Eph_6:13. Every part of the Christian’s person is protected, except the back; and therefore he cannot sustain injury unless it be in retreating.

4. Your provision is abundant.

Not called to go a warfare at your own charges My God shall supply all your need," &c.

5. The victory is certain.

This is more than any earthly warrior can say. But here it may confidently be said, Fighting is conquest: conflict is triumph. "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors," &c.; Rom_8:37, &c.

6. The reward will be glorious.

Refer to three passages: "Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold of eternal life." "Be thou faithful unto death," &c. "Him that overcometh," &c. 1Ti_6:19 Rev_2:10, Rev_3:21

Autor: JABEZ BURNS