I Corinthians 16

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (v13).  Paul gave this robust encouragement in the context of believers working together in love and support.  He mentions many fellow workers and urges the believers to welcome those who might visit from a different community (v15-18), giving honor and treating one another like family.  The Corinthians are told to take up an offering for the “saints” in Jerusalem (v1-4), brothers and sisters in need whom they had never met.

“Let all that you do be done in love (v14).  We become firm in the faith, strong and resilient, when we stand together in friendship and mutual encouragement.