“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
I love reading the King James Version of the Bible, but I must confess that sometimes its meanings can be difficult to grasp. Take today’s verse. “Stand fast… quit… be strong.” It almost seems contradictory. Of course, it can’t be because the Word of God never contradicts itself. That’s when I remember that old English words often have definitions that are no longer in use today.
Dictionaries often have the “archaic” meanings of words, which is very helpful to me when I am doing my Bible reading. For instance, in this verse, the word “quit” means something quite different today than it did in the 17th century. Today, it means to stop doing something, but in the 17th century, the word meant to “behave like.” Ah, now this verse makes sense to me!
Another thing I have found invaluable when doing my devotionals is to read verses in their context. This verse alone has great meaning of course, but with a little context, the application becomes so much more obvious.
In this chapter, Paul is writing to the Corinthian Christians. Basically, he is telling them that it’s going to be a little time before he will be there with them. He mentions that others, like Timothy or Apollos, may be coming, but the exact timing of their arrival is not known. Therefore, Paul is instructing the Christians to watch for his coming, hold on to what they have been taught by him, behave as Christians ought to, and remain courageous in their stand for Christ while they wait for his coming.
Although written to the church in Corinth, this message is applicable for us today as well. We are to be watchful, stand firm in our faith, behave according to the Word of God, and have courage until our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, comes!
Watch… “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:42
Stand… “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11
Behave… “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” Psalm 101:2
Be strong… “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Like the Christians of Corinth, we have a charge. Soon Jesus will return to us as Paul did to the Corinthians. May He find us watching, standing, behaving, and having Christian courage as we await His return.
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13
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Jesus could come today! Be ready!