Sharper Iron — Nothing But Christ Crucified: Be Watchful. Stand Firm. Act in Love.

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 16:13-24.

As St. Paul draws his epistle to a close, he repeats and wraps up themes from the letter. The Corinthians must remain watchful against divisions and false doctrine, even as they watch for the Lord to return. St. Paul calls upon them to stand firm in the faith that he has proclaimed among them, remaining strong by living in love toward each other. That includes the way that they treat those who have devoted themselves to the saints among them, just as St. Paul himself was refreshed by a few of the Corinthians who came to see him. St. Paul extends greetings to Corinth from other Christians before signing the letter himself. He prays that the Lord would come, and closes the letter with his love and God’s grace.

“Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 1 Corinthians. In response to correspondence from the Christians in Corinth and reports about matters arising in the congregation, St. Paul writes to address various matters of Christian faith and life. Throughout it all, he directs our attention to the power and wisdom of God for our salvation: Christ crucified.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

1 Corinthians 16:13-24

¹³Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ¹⁴Let all that you do be done in love.

¹⁵Now I urge you, brothers^[a]—you know that the household^[b] of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— ¹⁶be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. ¹⁷I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, ¹⁸for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.

Greetings

¹⁹The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. ²⁰All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. ²²If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!^[c] ²³The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. ²⁴My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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Footnotes

1 Corinthians 16:15 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 20
1 Corinthians 16:15 Greek house
1 Corinthians 16:22 Greek Maranatha (a transliteration of Aramaic)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).