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Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
October 3
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Today's Pathway:
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In today's passage Paul mentions some of the people in the church that he is acquainted with. He first mentions the family of Stephanas. They are referred to as
"the firstfruits of Achaia", which means that they were probably the first family in the Corinthian church, and the church was able to build around them. Alfred Plummer wrote,
"Dionysius the Areopagite, Damaris, and possibly others (Acts 17:34) had been won over before Stephanas, but his was the first Christian household, and as such was the foundation of the church in those parts. It was no doubt on account of this important fact that Paul made an exception in his usual practice and baptized Stephanas and his household (I Corinthians 1:16)"
Not only was Stephanas' family a pillar in the church, but they were also "addicted to the ministry of the saints". The word "addicted" meant "to devote or give up oneself to a habit or occupation". Stephanas and his family were completely devoted to the ministry. It was the most important thing in their lives. It was a duty that they gladly, willingly, and voluntarily undertook. They did it for the sole purpose of serving their fellow church members. There is no evidence that Stephanas was the pastor, or held any particular official office in the church. He was simply a man who chose to serve God and the church, and led his family to serve with him.
In verse 16 Paul tells the rest of the Corinthian church members that they should submit themselves to Stephanas and his family, and also to others in the church who were ministering like they were. They were to respect these people, and follow their leadership. William Barclay commented,
"In the early church a man became a leader not so much by any man-made appointment, but because his life and work marked him out as one whom all men must respect. All those who share the work and toil of the gospel command respect, not because they have been appointed by a man to an office but because they are doing the work of Christ.”
Paul adds to that list those who had been a help to him, and those who were laboring in their service to the Lord. The word "laboreth" describes continual intense, hard, wearisome toil, even working to the point of utter exhaustion if necessary. Paul commends those who are totally committed to the work of the ministry, those who assist others in their ministry, and those who work diligently and sacrificially to carry out their ministry. And then he tells those who are not living up to that standard that they ought to begin to do so.
Paul then also commends Fortunatus and Achaicus. They were probably the men, along with Stephanas. who had brought the letter to Paul from Corinth (I Corinthians 7:1), and were going to take Paul's letter back to Corinth with them. They supplied something to Paul that the rest of the Corinthian church had not. Albert Barnes wrote,
"The word 'lacking' may be used to denote a want or lack of any kind, whether of support, sustenance, aid, consolation, information, or counsel. What this was which the Corinthians had neglected or failed to furnish Paul, and which had been supplied by the presence of these persons, can be only a matter of conjecture."
One thing that we know that these three men did do was "refresh" not only Paul's spirit, but they would also refresh the spirit of the Corinthian believers. To "refresh" someone means to cause them to get relief, refreshment, and a break from their labors. They had the ability to put others at ease, and because of this Paul told the church members to "acknowledge" them, or in other words, to recognize those men for who they are and what they have done.
Paul commends those who are dedicated to ministering, those who are working hard, and those who are bringing encouragement and relief to others. Would he put you and me on this list?
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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