How?
1 Corinthians 16:13 - English Standard Version
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 - Berean Study Bible
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 - Berean Literal Bible
Watch you; stand firm in the faith; act like men; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 - King James Bible
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
The word “men” in this verse is defined as follows: To make a man of; to show oneself a man; to be brave; to make brave
1 Corinthians 16:13 is part of Paul’s benediction to his first letter to the Church at Corinth. If you are familiar with Paul, you’ll know that his benedictions come in stages. When he said, “and finally my brethren,” it didn’t really mean he was just about done. Paul once spoke so long, a young man fell asleep, fell out of the window, and died. Paul raised him from the dead and kept preaching until daybreak! So, this was probably Paul’s third or fourth benediction in this chapter. Anyway, as I was reading this verse, it occurred to me that if read in our churches today, many of the boys and men in the congregation might be encouraged by this verse. I can imagine raised heads, squared shoulders, raised fists, and a resounding very manly “Yeah!” Echoing throughout the congregation. Everything in them would want to do what this verse says. I also believe that most of them would slowly lower their hands because the desire to answer the call of this verse would be overshadowed by the “how”: How do I stand firm in the faith, act like a man, and be strong? Perhaps shame would overtake them as they thought of instances where they did not stand firm in the faith, act like a man, or be strong. For many, 1 Corinthians 16:13 starts out as encouragement with a manly pounding of the chest, but ends with depression as accusation and finger pointing about past mistakes take over. This is when they need to hear Isaiah 43:1 - “But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” (ESV)
That verse, when read, should give the men a picture of their Heavenly Dad, standing tall, radiating power, strength, and MOST OF ALL, the comfort of His unconditional love, as He speaks those words over them. They should hear Him saying, “you’re mine, so fear not because I have compensated for your faults and shortcomings, and have restored you to “favorite status” because of the work of your Big Brother on the cross.”
After the comfort of Isaiah 43:1, the men will require something more in order to walk out I Corinthians 16:13, and that is a father. For those who did not have one growing up, however, I can understand their confusion and their need to answer the call of 1 Corinthians 16:13 with a frustrated, “How!!?” I can hear questions arising out of their spirit like,
How do I be a man of courage when there was no man of courage around to model?
My dad died before he would show me how to act like a man. What do I do now?
My dad abused us. I know I can’t walk through life like that, but how do I not become that?
How can I not fear? I’ve been afraid all my life as I watched my mom struggle to raise us on her own.
All I see are my mistakes. There was no father around to look past that and show me how to accept myself and the unconditional love I’m entitled to. How can I accept that I’ve been made worthy of this redemption that Jesus paid for?
If I were a man, I would probably have better questions, or at least be able to ask them in a more meaningful way, but I hope my point comes across anyway.
Do you know that it’s never too late to get a Dad, just like it’s never too late to become one? There are just as many 50 year old men in need of a Dad as their are under-age boys.
Just as I encouraged the women, last month, to BE MOMS, I hope this Study Short will encourage the men to BE DADS. Whether you have kids or not, I’m sure you have room for one more in your heart. Is there a boy or girl at church that’s being raised by a single mom? Perhaps you have a sister raising her kids all alone?Why not ask the Lord how to be a Dad to them. Our society is so much poorer now because of the issue of fatherlessness. We need Dads to rise up and take hold of the fatherless in our country. To show those who are lost how to be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, and to be strong. To remind them that they have a Father in Heaven who calls them “Beloved son”, and has compensated for all their faults and shortcomings through the work of Jesus on the cross. Can you imagine the energy that could arise from the collective fresh start of men who can take a collective breath of relief because they’ve been told that their past is in the past and that their future is bright?!
If you are like my family, you may have an issue allowing your boys to hang out with a strange man. There are monsters out there in sheep’s clothing, and some families have been fooled and paid the price. To that, all I can say is use wisdom in their interactions until trust can be established. A good man will understand your caution and work within the confines that you establish in order to keep everyone involved safe, including them, no matter how long it takes.
If you are a man who is mentally and emotionally healthy enough, I want to encourage you to be a Dad. If you’re 80, find a 50 year old, If you’re 50, find a 30 year old. If you’re 30, find a fatherless teen. Our men need to respond with confidence when challenged with 1 Corinthians 16:13. They also need to respond with some idea of how to walk out the verse. You can help them!
Martin Luther King, Jr said in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, “We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.” Of course, he was addressing the issue of racism and inequality, but I think these statements ring true for the serious issue of fatherlessness in our nation as well. It’s a NOW issue, and if we continue to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism (a policy of gradual reform rather than sudden change or revolution), we will end up with another generation of boys who are more likely to be involved in crime and girls more likely to become teen moms. Additionally, children from fatherless homes are more likely to have to deal with poverty, drug / alcohol abuse, and are more likely to drop out of school, and suffer from health and emotional problems.
It may be hard for some people to believe that something as simple as having a man around on a consistent basis can make a difference, but it’s true.
You can be the difference between a young woman becoming pregnant as a teen, or making the choice to value her body and wait.
You can be the difference between a young man getting caught up in a life of crime by being a consistent loving presence that challenges him through coaching and mentoring.
Be a Dad! You are so desperately needed!
Click HERE to read my blog / prayer about Fathers.