Be strong

Wisdom In All Things Special Series

In the first chapter of Corinthians, you’ll find these two verses, tucked in there, seemingly as a random stream of consciousness, part of Paul’s closing in his first letter to the church in Corinth:

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

This has always struck me as odd: Why did God have Paul just stick in these two verses at this point of his letter to the Corinthians? What were the Corinthians doing – or not doing – that warranted him saying this to them?

On one hand, it seems randomly inserted betwixt a concern for Apollos and Stephanas. But on the other hand, it does make sense, given that this section of the letter is titled, in some versions of the Bible, the “final instructions.”

Paul’s word choice in his “instructions” seems more fitting of an officer directing a soldier:

“The terms in this verse are all military… be continually on your guard… keep in your ranks… when you are attacked, do not flinch… summon up all your courage, sustain each other; fear not, for fear will enervate you.”

Adam Clarke (1760-1832) was an Irish Methodist theologian and biblical scholar 

However, we should not underestimate the part they play in living the Christian life. In this 5-part Wisdom In All Things Special Series, we’ll unpack the implications of these two short verses from Paul, as they highlight 5 essential factors for living a life of purpose, wisdom, and impact.

EXPOSE | Be strong

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (emphasis mine)

EXPLORE | Being strong in the Lord

While there is some distinction, or nuance, between the 5 phrases we are looking at, they are all tied together and support one another. Especially with the phrases ‘be strong’ and ‘act like men’.

You could say that the phrase ‘be strong’ follows ‘act like men’ as a definition and prescription.

Let’s have Alexander MacLaren take us back into the mindset of the battle as he elaborates on this connection between the two phrases:

“Play a man’s part in the battle; strike with all the force of your muscles. But the Apostle adds, ‘be strong.’ You cannot play a man’s part unless you are. ‘Be strong’—the original would rather bear ‘become strong.’ What is the use of telling men to ‘be strong’? It is a waste of words, in nine cases out of ten, to say to a weak man, ‘Pluck up your courage, and show strength.’  

Alexander maclaren

MacLaren points out the nuance of our phrase ‘be strong’. You can’t be a man without strength, and you can’t ‘just have’ the kind of strength the Apostle prescribes in this verse.

Alexander states that Paul’s use of this phrase is quite uncommon in the New Testament, but that another use of the phrase helps us better understand the nuance. He reveals that we are to be: “Strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man. (Ephesians 3:16)”

“Then is it so vain a mockery to tell a poor, weak creature like me to become strong, when you can point me to the source of all strength, in that ‘Spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind’? We have only to take our weakness there to have it stiffened into strength; as people put bits of wood into what are called ‘petrifying wells’ which infiltrate into them mineral particles, that do not turn the wood into stone, but make the wood as strong as stone. So my manhood, with all its weakness, may have filtered into it divine strength, which will brace me for all needful duty, and make me ‘more than a conqueror through Him that loved us’ …strength will come to us according to our day, in fulfillment of the great promises: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee; and My strength is made perfect in weakness.'”

Alexander maclaren

David Guzik affirms that our strength does not come from us, but “in the power of his might; in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” He has framed the sequential characteristics that give us a full picture of His power being assimilated and enacted: “Believe in him, look to him for strength, trust in his power, depend on his grace, take heart, be of good courage, and fear no enemy.”

“In the power of His might”, our application of this strength is that we:

“…behave strenuously, in opposition to the bad men who would divide and corrupt you, those who would split you into factions or seduce you from the faith: be not terrified nor inveigled by them; but show yourselves men in Christ, by your steadiness, by your sound judgment and firm resolution.”

Matthew Henry

Other passages calling us to ‘be strong’:

• Joshua 1:9 (NIV): “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
• Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV): “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
• Psalm 27:14 (NIV): “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
• Isaiah 41:10 (NIV): “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

• 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV): “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
• Psalm 31:24 (NIV): “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
• Isaiah 43:1b-2 (NIV): “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
• Ephesians 6:10 (NIV): “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
• 2 Timothy 2:1 (ESV): “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,”

That we must rely on God’s strength rather than our own, cannot be overstated: He is everything we need to face challenges with courage and confidence.

Consider how the characteristics of being strong play out in the broader context of the Christian life and spiritual warfare:

• Spiritual Strength: Strength is not merely physical or emotional, but primarily spiritual. It refers to our being empowered by the Holy Spirit to stand firm in our faith and convictions despite challenges or opposition.
• Steadfastness in Faith: “Be strong” is a call to remain steadfast in the truth, resisting the pressure to compromise or abandon our convictions.
• Resilience in Trials: This strength is also understood as the ability to endure trials, persecution, and adversity with unwavering faith and trust in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness.
• Active Engagement: Being strong involves actively engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, studying Scripture, fellowship with other believers, and serving others.
• Courageous Witness: His strength enables us to boldly proclaim and live out our faith in the face of opposition or hostility, reflecting Christ’s love and truth to the world.

To “be strong” is a multifaceted call encompassing internal fortitude and external action rooted in a deep reliance on God’s power and guidance.

“You show me a weak, wobbling believer, and I will show you a Christian not giving very much time to meditation upon the Word of God. Show me one who is a strong, devoted, earnest Christian, seeking only the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I will show you one who is living on the Book.”

Harry Ironside

Joshua is a model of strength and courage, exemplifying the key characteristics that we should emulate:

• Faith in God’s Promises: Joshua’s strength and courage were rooted in his unwavering faith in God’s promises. He believed that God would fulfill His word and give the Israelites victory over their enemies, regardless of the challenges they faced.
• Trust in God’s Presence: Joshua demonstrated courage by trusting in God’s presence and guidance. He knew that God was with him wherever he went, empowering and protecting him in the midst of danger.
• Obedience to God’s Commands: Joshua’s resolve was characterized by his obedience to God’s commands. He followed God’s instructions faithfully, even when they seemed daunting or unconventional, such as the march around Jericho or the crossing of the Jordan River.
• Courage in the Face of Opposition: Despite facing formidable adversaries and daunting obstacles, Joshua remained steadfast and courageous. He did not allow fear or intimidation to deter him from fulfilling his God-given mission.
• Leadership and Boldness: Joshua exhibited strong leadership qualities and boldness in his actions. He led the Israelites with confidence and decisiveness, inspiring them to trust in God and follow him wholeheartedly.
• Perseverance in Adversity: Joshua’s strength was also evident in his perseverance through adversity. He did not shrink back in the face of setbacks or challenges but remained resolute in his commitment to God’s purposes.
• Humility and Dependence on God: Despite his position of leadership, Joshua remained humble and dependent on God’s strength. He recognized his own limitations and relied on God for wisdom, guidance, and victory.

His life serves as a powerful testimony to the transformative power of God’s presence and provision in the lives of those who trust in Him wholeheartedly.

Understanding Being ‘Strong in the Lord’ – in His Power

The biblical understanding of power centers on two primary dimensions: the divine and the human. God’s power is intrinsic, reflecting His nature and sovereign authority over creation. We see this in passages like Romans 1:20, which emphasizes the inherent power of God manifested in His creation. Similarly, Psalm 19 and Psalm 150 praise God’s power evident in the wonders of the natural world, while Jeremiah 10:12 underscores His incomparable might as the Creator.

Furthermore, God’s inexplicable power is expressed in extraordinary events such as the virgin birth of Jesus (Luke 1:35). This divine intervention serves as a testament to the limitless power of God which goes beyond human comprehension or explanation.

On the other hand, human power is depicted as sourced from various things including God, political authority, military strength, and societal structures. Deuteronomy 8:18 highlights that humans receive their power and abilities as a provision from God. Similarly, in Isaiah 40:29 and Micah 3:8, human empowerment is portrayed as coming from a divine source.

However, the Bible warns against the deception of perceiving power as intrinsic to oneself. Leviticus 26:19 and John 19:10-11 caution against such self-deception, emphasizing the importance of recognizing that all power ultimately originates from God.

The apostle Paul makes clear that the Christian life is empowered by God, liberating us from the bondage of sin and equipping us to be a witness to the gospel’s transformative power. Romans 1:16 portrays the gospel as the “dynamite of God,” conveying the dynamic power inherent in God’s message. Paul emphasizes the necessity of divine empowerment for Christian living in passages such as Romans 6-8 and 1 Corinthians 15:56-57.

The biblical portrayal of power highlights God’s intrinsic sovereignty and the derived empowerment of humanity. Through Jesus Christ and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to live out their faith boldly and victoriously, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel to a watching world.

Looking further into the intrinsic power of God, most Study Bibles will outline it as:

• Great
  • Psalms 79:11: “Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!”
  • Nahum 1:3: “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”
• Mighty
  • Psalms 89:13: “You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand.”
  • Job 9:4: “He is wise in heart and mighty in strength —who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?”
• Strong
  • Psalms 89:13: “You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand.”
  • Psalms 136:12: “With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;”
• Glorious
  • Exodus 15:6: “Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.”
  • Isaiah 63:12: “Who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name,”
• Everlasting
  • Isaiah 26:4: “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
  • Romans 1:20: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
• Sovereign
  • Romans 9:21: “Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?”
• Effectual
  • Isaiah 43:13: “Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?”
  • Ephesians 3:7: “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.”
• Irresistible
  • Deuteronomy 32:39: “‘See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.”
  • Daniel 4:35: “all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?””
• Incomparable
  • Exodus 15:11: “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”
  • Exodus 15:12: “You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them.”
  • Deuteronomy 3:24: “‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?'”
  • Job 40:9: “Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his?”
  • Psalms 89:8: “O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O Lord, with your faithfulness all around you?”
• Unsearchable
  • Job 5:9: “Who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number:”
  • Job 9:10: “Who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number.”
• Incomprehensible
  • Job 26:14: “Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?”
  • Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”

God is not merely great, He is mighty, strong, glorious, and everlasting. He is sovereign over all, effectual in His actions, and irresistibly powerful.

From the majestic to the unsearchable, God’s power and divine nature are so vast and transcendent that finite human minds cannot fully grasp them. Yet, they are evident in all creation and worthy of our unwavering trust and worship.

EXECUTE | Cultivating spiritual strength

Spiritual strength is cultivated through a combination of factors that involve both God’s grace and our active participation. But first, a necessary foundation must be built in order to support the cultivation of strength. This foundation includes:

• Faith in Christ: Evangelical scholars stress the centrality of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as the foundation of spiritual strength. This involves trusting in Christ’s sacrifice for salvation and surrendering one’s life to His lordship.
• Prayer and Dependence on God: They emphasize the importance of prayer as a means of communication with God, seeking His guidance, strength, and empowerment. Regular communion with God through prayer is seen as vital for spiritual growth and strength.
• Studying Scripture: Evangelical scholars believe that spiritual strength is built through the study and application of God’s Word, the Bible. By immersing oneself in Scripture, believers gain insight into God’s character, His will, and His promises, which strengthens their faith and equips them for life’s challenges.
• Fellowship with Believers: They highlight the significance of community and fellowship with other believers. Engaging in worship, discipleship, and accountability within a Christian community provides encouragement, support, and spiritual growth opportunities.
• Obeying God’s Commands: Evangelical scholars emphasize the importance of obedience to God’s commands as a demonstration of faith and trust in Him. Living according to biblical principles and seeking to align one’s life with God’s will contribute to spiritual strength.
• Resisting Temptation and Sin: They teach the necessity of resisting temptation and turning away from sin. This involves relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome sinful desires and choosing righteousness and holiness.
• Suffering and Trials: Evangelical scholars recognize that spiritual strength often grows through trials and suffering. Enduring hardships with faith and perseverance can deepen one’s dependence on God and refine character.

Spiritual strength is developed through a dynamic relationship with God, characterized by faith, prayer, Scripture study, fellowship, obedience, and perseverance through trials. It is a lifelong journey of growth in likeness to Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

With our foundation in place, here are the key principles that are essential to cultivating strength:

• Prioritize Relationship with God: Cultivate a deep, intimate relationship with God through prayer, worship, and regular study of Scripture seeking His guidance, wisdom, and strength.
• Rely on the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live victoriously and faithfully. Surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and allowing Him to lead, empower, and transform our lives is crucial for being strong in the Lord.
• Stand Firm in Faith: Our standing firm in the foundational truths of the Christian faith involves knowing and understanding biblical doctrines, resisting false teachings, and holding fast to the truth of God’s Word.
• Engage in Spiritual Disciplines: Engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, Scripture meditation, and fellowship with other believers. These practices help us grow in spiritual maturity, deepen our relationship with God, and stay grounded in our faith.
• Put on the Armor of God: Drawing from Ephesians 6:10-18, put on the full armor of God to stand against spiritual attacks. This includes girding ourselves with truth, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, taking up the shield of faith, wearing the helmet of salvation, and wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
• Live in Obedience: Our obedience to God’s commands is an expression of our love and devotion. We are encouraged to align our lives with biblical principles, walk in righteousness, and avoid sin.
• Persevere in Trials: Trials and tribulations are inevitable in the Christian life. We can persevere through difficulties by trusting in God’s faithfulness and relying on His strength to sustain us.
• Seek Accountability and Community: We need to be surrounded by a supportive Christian community that provides encouragement, accountability, and spiritual fellowship. This is where we bear one another’s burdens, pray for one another, and spur each other on toward love and good deeds.

By cultivating an active and vibrant relationship with God that is grounded in faith, obedience, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, we grow in spiritual strength and resilience.

In our fifth and final part of this series, we will discover what it means to “Let all that you do be done in love.”

Additional versions of 1 Corinthians 16:13-14:

“Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.” (The Message)

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” (NIV)

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.” (KJV)

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