1 Corinthians 16:14
Do everything in love.
Let all that you do
This phrase sets a comprehensive standard for Christian conduct. The Greek word for "all" is "πάντα" (panta), which means everything without exception. This implies that every action, decision, and interaction should be encompassed by the following principle. Historically, the Corinthian church was dealing with divisions and moral issues, and Paul’s instruction here is a call to unity and integrity in every aspect of life. It is a reminder that the Christian life is not compartmentalized; rather, it is holistic, with every part of life reflecting one's faith.

be done
The Greek verb "γινέσθω" (ginesthō) is in the imperative mood, indicating a command. This is not a suggestion but a directive from Paul. The use of the imperative underscores the importance and urgency of the action. In the context of the early church, where believers were often in conflict with one another and with the surrounding culture, this command serves as a guiding principle for behavior. It emphasizes intentionality and purpose in actions, suggesting that believers should consciously choose to act in a way that aligns with their faith.

in love
The Greek word for love here is "ἀγάπῃ" (agapē), which is often described as selfless, sacrificial love. This is the same type of love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "Love Chapter." Agapē is not based on feelings or emotions but is a deliberate choice to seek the well-being of others. In the historical context of Corinth, a city known for its immorality and idolatry, this call to love would have been countercultural. Scripturally, this aligns with Jesus’ commandment to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). It is a love that reflects the character of God and is the hallmark of true Christian discipleship. This love is transformative, both for the individual and the community, fostering unity, peace, and growth in the body of Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul was writing to the church in Corinth to address various issues and provide guidance.

2. The Church in Corinth
A diverse and often troubled congregation in the city of Corinth, known for its moral and spiritual challenges.

3. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth, commerce, and moral decadence, which influenced the church's struggles.

4. The Early Christian Community
The broader context of believers in the first century, striving to live out their faith amidst cultural and societal pressures.

5. The Holy Spirit
The divine presence guiding believers to live in accordance with God's will, emphasizing love as a fruit of the Spirit.
Teaching Points
The Primacy of Love
Love is not just an emotion but a deliberate choice and action that should permeate every aspect of a believer's life.

Love as a Command
This verse is an imperative, indicating that love is not optional for Christians but a command to be obeyed.

Love in Action
True love is demonstrated through actions, not just words. It involves selflessness, sacrifice, and a commitment to the well-being of others.

Love and Unity
Love fosters unity within the church, helping to overcome divisions and conflicts by prioritizing the needs and concerns of others.

Reflecting Christ's Love
As followers of Christ, believers are called to reflect His love in their interactions, serving as a testimony to the world.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can you ensure that your daily actions are motivated by love, especially in challenging situations?

2. In what ways does the command to "do everything in love" challenge your current relationships or interactions within your community?

3. How does understanding the original Greek word for love, "agape," deepen your comprehension of this verse's command?

4. How can you apply the principle of love as described in 1 Corinthians 16:14 to resolve conflicts within your church or family?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced or witnessed love in action. How did it impact your faith and understanding of Christian love?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 John 4:7-8
This passage emphasizes that love is from God and that everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, reinforcing the centrality of love in the Christian life.

Galatians 5:22-23
Lists the fruit of the Spirit, with love being the first mentioned, highlighting its foundational role in Christian character.

John 13:34-35
Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, identifying love as the hallmark of true discipleship.

Colossians 3:14
Paul describes love as the bond of perfect unity, underscoring its unifying power within the body of Christ.

Romans 13:8-10
Paul explains that love fulfills the law, as all commandments are summed up in loving one's neighbor.
A Universal RuleJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:14
Love a Principle of ActionJ.R. Thomson 1 Corinthians 16:14
Love as a MotiveJ. Ruskin.1 Corinthians 16:14
Love More Effective than Logic1 Corinthians 16:14
The Key Which Sets the World to MusicD. Thomas, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:14
The Limitation of the Robuster VirtuesR. Tuck 1 Corinthians 16:14
The Universal RuleJ. W. Burn.1 Corinthians 16:14
St. Paul and His Purposes; His Friends; Earnest ExhortationC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 16:6-18
Etiquette Amongst MinistersJ. Lyth, . D. D.1 Corinthians 16:10-16
Ministerial SolicitudeT. Kelly.1 Corinthians 16:10-16
Paul's Affectionate Recommendation of Timothy Teaches Us that Young MinistersJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:10-16
Personal NoticesF. W. Robertson, M. A.1 Corinthians 16:10-16
Wholesome Teaching for the Older MinistersD. Thomas, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:10-16
A Fivefold ExhortationE. Hundall 1 Corinthians 16:13, 14
A Manly ChristianityJ. Lyth.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be StrongT. T. Shore, M.A.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be StrongS. Martin.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Christ Satisfying the Instinct of CourageDean Vaughan.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Christian SteadfastnessJohn Stevens.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Christian StrengthB. Beddome, M. A.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Christian WarfareW. Linn, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Four Points in the Christian LifeD. Rhys Jenkins.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
ManlinessD. Macleod, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Manliness in ReligionJ. N. Norton, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Stand Fast in the FaithJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Standing Fast in the FaithT. B. McLeod.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
StrengthJ. H. Burn, B.D.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
The Demands of ChristianityD. Thomas, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
The Manliness of GodlinessJ. De Kewer Williams.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
The Requirements of the Christian WarfareCanon Garbett.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Three Kinds of TemptationPrincipal A. M. Fairbairn.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
True ManhoodArchdeacon Farrar.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
True ManlinessW. B. Stewart, D.D.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
True StrengthNew York Observer1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Vigilance NeededJ. Halsey.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Watchfulness Needed1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Watchfulness, Steadfastness, Manliness, Strength1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Wise CounselsJ. Lyth.1 Corinthians 16:13-14
People
Achaicus, Apollos, Aquila, Corinthians, Fortunatus, Paul, Prisca, Priscilla, Stephanas, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Achaia, Asia, Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Jerusalem, Macedonia
Topics
Charity, Love, Motives
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 16:14

     2048   Christ, love of
     5926   rebuke
     8441   goals

Library
Strong and Loving
'Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14. Let all your things be done with charity.'--1 COR. xvi. 13, 14. There is a singular contrast between the first four of these exhortations and the last. The former ring sharp and short like pistol-shots; the last is of gentler mould. The former sound like the word of command shouted from an officer along the ranks; and there is a military metaphor running all through them. The foe threatens to advance; let the guards keep their
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Anathema and Grace
'The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. 22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha. 23. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.'--1 COR. xvi. 21-24. Terror and tenderness are strangely mingled in this parting salutation, which was added in the great characters shaped by Paul's own hand, to the letter written by an amanuensis. He has been obliged, throughout the whole epistle, to assume a tone of remonstrance
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Faithful Steward
"GOD IS LOVE." Perfectly blessed in Himself, he desired that other intelligences should participate in his own holy felicity. This was his primary motive in creating moral beings. They were made in his own image--framed to resemble him in their intellectual and moral capacities, and to imitate him in the spirit of their deportment. Whatever good they enjoyed, like him, they were to desire that others might enjoy it with them; and thus all were to be bound together by mutual sympathy,--linked
Sereno D. Clark—The Faithful Steward

The Twenty-Second Psalm.
The Cross of Christ. THE Twenty-second Psalm contains a most remarkable prophecy. The human instrument through whom this prophecy was given is King David. The Psalm does not contain the experience of the King, though he passed through great sufferings, yet the sufferings he speaks of in this Psalm are not his own. They are the sufferings of Christ. It is written in the New Testament that the prophets searched and enquired diligently about the coming salvation. The Spirit of Christ, which was in
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Of the Duties which we are to Perform after Receiving the Holy Communion, Called Action or Practice.
The duty which we are to perform after the receiving of the Lord's Supper is called action or practice, without which all the rest will minister to us no comfort. The action consists of two sorts of duties:---First, Such as we are to perform in the church, or else after we are gone home. Those that we are to perform in the church are either several from our own souls, or else jointly with the congregation. The several duties which thou must perform from thine own soul are three:--First, Thou must
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Apostolic Scriptures.
"And I think that I also have the Spirit of God."--1 Cor. vii. 40. We have seen that the apostolate has an extraordinary significance and occupies a unique position. This position is twofold, viz., temporary, with reference to the founding of the first churches, and permanent, with regard to the churches of all ages. The first must necessarily be temporary, for what was then accomplished can not be repeated. A tree can be planted only once; an organism can be born only once; the planting or founding
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Clergyman and the Prayer Book.
Dear pages of ancestral prayer, Illumined all with Scripture gold, In you we seem the faith to share Of saints and seers of old. Whene'er in worship's blissful hour The Pastor lends your heart a voice, Let his own spirit feel your power, And answer, and rejoice. In the present chapter I deal a little with the spirit and work of the Clergyman in his ministration of the ordered Services of the Church, reserving the work of the Pulpit for later treatment. THE PRAYER BOOK NOT PERFECT BUT INESTIMABLE.
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

"And Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"And watch unto prayer." "Watch." A Christian should watch. A Christian is a watchman by office. This duty of watchfulness is frequently commanded and commended in scripture, Matt. xxiv. 42, Mark xiii. 33, 1 Cor. xvi. 13, Eph. vi. 18, 1 Pet. v. 8, Col. iv. 2; Luke xii. 37. David did wait as they that did watch for the morning light. The ministers of the gospel are styled watchmen in scripture and every Christian should be to himself as a minister is to his flock, he should watch over
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

For if they be Urged from the Gospel that they Should Put Nothing By...
31. For if they be urged from the Gospel that they should put nothing by for the morrow, they most rightly answer, "Why then had the Lord Himself a bag in which to put by the money which was collected? [2572] Why so long time beforehand, on occasion of impending famine, were supplies of corn sent to the holy fathers? [2573] Why did Apostles in such wise provide things necessary for the indigence of saints lest there should be lack thereafter, that most blessed Paul should thus write to the Corinthians
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Tithing
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10). Down deep in the heart of every Christian there is undoubtedly the conviction that he ought to tithe. There is an uneasy feeling that this is a duty which has been neglected, or, if you prefer it, a privilege that has not been
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

The Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it. Exod 20: 8-11. This
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered?
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

Concerning Worship.
Concerning Worship. [780] All true and acceptable worship to God is offered in the inward and immediate moving and drawing of his own Spirit which is neither limited to places times, nor persons. For though we are to worship him always, and continually to fear before him; [781] yet as to the outward signification thereof, in prayers, praises, or preachings, we ought not to do it in our own will, where and when we will; but where and when we are moved thereunto by the stirring and secret inspiration
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation.
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Things Pertaining to the Kingdom.
"Now is there solemn pause in earth and heaven; The Conqueror now His bonds hath riven, And Angels wonder why He stays below; Yet hath not man his lesson learned, How endless love should be returned." Hitherto our thoughts about "The Kingdom of Heaven" have been founded on the teaching of the King respecting His Kingdom recorded in the Gospels. But we must not forget to give attention to the very important time in the life of our Lord extending between His Resurrection and Ascension, during which
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

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