1 Corinthians 16:13 kjv
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 nkjv
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 niv
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 esv
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 nlt
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.
1 Corinthians 16 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 15:58 | "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord..." | Steadfastness in the Lord's work |
| Galatians 5:1 | "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." | Freedom in Christ, standing firm |
| Ephesians 6:11 | "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." | Spiritual warfare, standing firm |
| Philippians 4:1 | "Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved." | Encouragement to stand firm |
| Colossians 2:5 | "For though I am absent in body, I am present in spirit, and delight to see your good order, and the firmness of your faith in Christ." | Firmness of faith in Christ |
| 1 Thessalonians 3:8 | "for now we live, since you are standing firm in the Lord." | Vitality through standing firm |
| 2 Thessalonians 2:15 | "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us." | Holding to sound doctrine |
| Hebrews 12:1 | "Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." | Endurance in the Christian life |
| 1 Peter 5:8 | "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour." | Watchfulness against the devil |
| Revelation 3:2 | "Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die..." | Strengthening what remains |
| Joshua 1:7 | "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you." | Courage and obedience in the Old Testament |
| Deuteronomy 7:9 | "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments up to a thousand generations." | God's faithfulness and love |
| Romans 11:22 | "Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off." | Continuing in God's kindness |
| Acts 14:22 | "...strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith..." | Encouragement to continue in faith |
| Ephesians 4:14 | "...no longer children, tossed by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by theλημα of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming." | Avoiding doctrinal error |
| Jude 1:3 | "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I felt compelled to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." | Contending for the faith |
| Proverbs 24:10 | "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." | Importance of endurance |
| Romans 16:20 | "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." | God's ultimate victory over evil |
| 2 Timothy 2:3 | "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." | Suffering as a soldier of Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 1:8 | "He will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." | God's sustaining power to the end |
| 2 Timothy 2:15 | "Do your best to present yourself to God as a worker who has not been ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." | Rightly handling the Word |
1 Corinthians 16 verses
1 Corinthians 16 13 Meaning
Stand firm in the faith. Persevere in the faith, remaining steadfast and unyielding. Be courageous and strong in your commitment to Christ.
1 Corinthians 16 13 Context
This verse is the concluding exhortation in Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church. The letter has addressed numerous issues of disunity, immorality, and doctrinal confusion within the church. Paul's final charge is a call for spiritual vigilance and steadfastness in the face of ongoing challenges. It’s part of his concluding remarks, summarizing key principles for Christian living. The preceding verses (16:10-12) talk about Timothy and Apollos, and commendation of Stephanas' household, before Paul shifts to this direct charge to the entire church.
1 Corinthians 16 13 Word Analysis
- "Be watchful": (Greek: "gregoreite") - This word implies being awake, alert, vigilant, and sober-minded. It suggests an active awareness of spiritual dangers and the need for readiness. It's a call to mental and spiritual alertness, not passivity.
- "stand firm": (Greek: "sthenoun" - root is "sthenos" meaning strength, power; verb form means to make strong, strengthen, to be strong) - This word signifies to be strong, to have strength, or to strengthen oneself. It’s not about an initial strong stance, but an ongoing act of being strengthened and maintaining that strength. It carries the idea of inner fortitude and resilience.
- "in the faith": (Greek: "en te pistei") - This refers to the body of Christian doctrine and belief, but also to personal trust and faithfulness to God through Jesus Christ. It’s the foundation upon which believers are to stand.
- "be courageous": (Greek: "andrizesthe") - This imperative verb is derived from the word for "man" (aner). It means to act like a man, to show bravery, to be valiant. It is not gender-exclusive but emphasizes the quality of courage in the face of adversity, reflecting a resolute and unshrinking spirit.
- "be strong": (Greek: "krataio") - Similar to "sthenoun," this word means to be strong, mighty, powerful, or to make strong. It reinforces the idea of having or developing inner strength and resilience. It speaks of inherent power or the reception of power.
Words-group analysis
- "Be watchful... stand firm... be courageous... be strong": This is a chain of imperatives emphasizing a holistic approach to spiritual endurance. They are not isolated commands but interconnected actions that a believer must continually cultivate. The repetition and combination of these concepts highlight the active, ongoing nature of Christian maturity and perseverance. This is a call to consistent effort, drawing on inner resources and ultimately divine empowerment.
1 Corinthians 16 13 Bonus Section
The commands in this verse—vigilance, steadfastness, courage, and strength—are consistent throughout Paul's ministry and the New Testament. They speak to the active, not passive, nature of faith. The imperative mood of the Greek verbs suggests that these are commands for immediate and ongoing obedience. The "faith" mentioned is both the content of Christian belief and the personal reliance on God, highlighting the intellectual and relational aspects of Christian life. The courage here is not necessarily without fear, but acting decisively despite fear, drawing strength from God's promises. The parallel often drawn in Scripture between the Christian life and warfare or athletic competition is relevant here; one must be alert, prepared, and strong to succeed.
1 Corinthians 16 13 Commentary
This verse is Paul's parting exhortation, urging the Corinthian believers to maintain a robust and unwavering commitment to their Christian walk. It’s a call to active spiritual vigilance – being alert to dangers, remaining solid in their foundational faith, and drawing upon inner strength to persevere. The repeated emphasis on strength ("stand firm," "be strong") indicates that this is not a one-time effort but a continuous process of drawing on God’s power and developing inner fortitude. The courage called for is not natural bravery but a bold confidence rooted in Christ, enabling them to face trials, resist deception, and live out their faith boldly. This verse encapsulates the essence of mature discipleship: an alert mind, a firm conviction, and an unyielding spirit powered by God.
Practical Usage Examples:
- An individual facing constant criticism for their faith should "be watchful" against despair, "stand firm" in their convictions, "be courageous" in their testimony, and "be strong" in prayer.
- A church struggling with internal disagreements and false teachings must "be watchful" for divisive spirits, "stand firm" on biblical truth, "be courageous" in confronting error, and "be strong" in unity and love.
- A believer encountering new temptations or doubts needs to "be watchful" of the snare, "stand firm" on established doctrines, "be courageous" in resisting the temptation, and "be strong" in leaning on God.