QUIT YOU LIKE MEN

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.

Due to the moral decay of this province of the Roman Empire, Paul's admonition in the lesson text was very much needed by the members or the church of Christ in Corinth, as well as in all congregations of God's church throughout all ages, both then and now. Where new churches of Christ are established, or where church growth noticeably takes place, opposition seems to intensify. As converts to Christ are made from members of unbelieving families, neighborhoods, or communities; when those, that followed false teachers, study God's word, gain knowledge of His will, and become God's children through baptism into the body of Christ; wherever God's word is preached and souls give up worldliness for the spirit of holiness, it is then that the dominance of Satan is threatened, and his armies, the enemies of Christ, become more aggressive in their persecution, as well as all other efforts to quell the expansion of Christianity.

The warning to watch carries with it the meaning of being constantly on guard, just as a sentinel stands guard at a military outpost, vigilantly scanning the area around him for signs of enemy presence. Christians are to be ever watchful because the enemy, Satan and his angels, are lurking at every corner, with some even disguised as fellow Christians. Watchfulness is constantly necessary in order to avoid the influence of all false teachers and their doctrines of error. Watch that you are not deceived by any evil presence. Why? Jesus gave us the answer in the form of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (See Matt. 25:1-12). Following this parable Jesus concludes with this warning; Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (Matt. 25:13, also see Mark 13:35; Luke 21:36).

Stand fast in the faith. Not only must a Christian hear, gain an understanding of, and believe the word of God, but also he or she must hold firmly to its tenets without wavering. Such is the meaning of standing fast in the faith. Maintaining and keeping God's commandments requires a Christian to steadfastly oppose any, and all, false doctrines that attempt to change the gospel message of Christ, by adding or subtracting from the word of God, as revealed by the Holy Spirit-inspired writers of the New Testament. The apostle John tells us the extreme importance of standing firmly for faith in God, and His Son, Jesus Christ. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1 John 5:3-4).

Quit you like men. Bible scholars seem to disagree on this phrase from the lesson text, and give it two different meanings. However, both meanings are equally good lessons for our learning. The first meaning is to be strong like men. Christians are to be confident in their convictions, and uphold the truths found in the word of God; to demonstrate strong, "manly" qualities that are unmoved by timidity and cowardliness; to bravely oppose Satan, and his army, which are the enemies of Christ. The second meaning states that we are not to be like men of the world that constantly seek to change the will of God to fit their own desires. Christians are not to vacillate, and be indecisive in their commitment to the gospel of Christ. We are not to be like those of the world that are tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Eph. 4:14-15).

Christians are to be strong. In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul told them to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might (Eph. 6:10). Christian strength comes from exercising unwavering Christian conduct throughout life here on earth. The more one opposes the works of evil, the more strength is gained to oppose it to an even greater degree in the future.

The force behind watchful, steadfast, Christian strength is found in the last verse of the lesson text. Let all your things be done with charity (or love). Verse 13 makes reference to military terms that demonstrate Christian character. Yet, we are not to slay our enemy, as armies frequently must do, but overcome them with Christian love. The love of God, and for one another, is the key to the hope of eternal salvation. Christians must stand firmly in the will of God. It is His will that all things be done with charity (or love).