Refreshing Each Other's Spirit in Love
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 16:13-24 (NASB)
13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.
15 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), 16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. 17 I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 The greeting is in my own hand—Paul. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
SUMMARY
In his final words to the Corinthian church, Paul exhorts them to be on guard, to stand firm and strong, but to do everything in love. He tells the church to submit to those such as Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus, who Paul describes as supplying what was lacking in the church. Paul writes that Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus have devoted themselves to the ministry and refreshed and encouraged Paul’s own spirits and the church.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Verse 17 says “I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part.”
Verse 18 says “For they have refreshed my spirit and yours…”
The past six months have been a difficult and challenging season for me, not only because of the pandemic but also because of some health issues that I was going through. There were many moments during that time when I felt discouraged and even abandoned because God seemed distant and silent in response to my prayers. But as I meditated on these verses, I was reminded that in fact God has been more faithful and gracious than ever, by placing so many people like Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus in my life. I realized I am the Corinthian church, and the sisters in my QT group and the intercessory prayer group supplied what was lacking in my life by devoting themselves to pray for me. Over the past many months, they repeatedly encouraged and refreshed my spirits in love in many moments when I lacked my own spiritual strength, so I could stay alert and stand firm and strong in the faith.
APPLICATION
It is my prayer that I, too, can be someone who supplies what is spiritually lacking (ver. 17) in others and encourages and refreshes those around me at home, work and church by using all of the gifts with which God has blessed me with. I want to pray for God’s wisdom to guide me and open my eyes so I can be a good steward of the gifts He has given me and use those gifts more effectively for God’s glory.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father.
Thank you for being such a gracious and faithful God. You never leave me. You never forsake me. You do not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. But when I am tempted, you always, always provide a way out so that I can stand up again. Thank you for sending so many amazing sisters to be Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus in my life when I felt so alone and weak. Thank you for supplying everything that I need, and for refreshing and encouraging my downcast spirit through these sisters in my life.
Lord, as Paul commanded, help me to continue to stay alert and stand firm and strong in the faith during this time of pandemic by being close to your Words and by praying. Guide me to use the gifts you gave me effectively and in love, not for my own glory but for your glory.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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