I Corinthians 16

“Let all that you do be done in love” (v14).  Paul’s letter to the Corinthians had been prompted by reports that there was “quarreling” and divisions among them (ch 1).  Now, after having corrected and encouraged them, Paul urges them to welcome his friends and co-workers who would arrive in Corinth with the letter, and “to be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer” (v16).  To grow in maturity, the Corinthians would have to surrender their prideful independence and become teachable and unified.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (v13).Rather than hyper individualism, Jesus calls us to find our strength in unity and mutual submission.