1 Corinthians 16:15

Contextual Overview

¹³Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. ¹³ Watch yee, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men: be strong. ¹³ Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. ¹³ Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ¹³ Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ¹³ Be alert. Continue strong in the faith. Have courage, and be strong. ¹³Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong. ¹³ Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ¹³Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ¹³Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the house: 1 Corinthians 16:17, 1 Corinthians 1:16

the firstfruits: Romans 16:5, Revelation 14:4

to the: Acts 9:36-41, Romans 12:13, Romans 15:25, Romans 16:2, 2 Corinthians 8:4, 2 Corinthians 9:1, 2 Corinthians 9:12-15, 1 Timothy 5:10, Philemon 1:7, Hebrews 6:10, 1 Peter 4:10

Reciprocal: Acts 13:48 - ordained Acts 18:12 - Achaia Romans 15:26 - the poor 1 Corinthians 6:1 - the saints 2 Corinthians 1:1 - Achaia 2 Corinthians 9:2 - that 2 Corinthians 11:10 - the regions 1 Timothy 3:13 - used 1 Timothy 4:15 - give

Cross-References

Genesis 16:9
The angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands."

Genesis 16:9
And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

Genesis 16:9
Then the angel of Yahweh said to her, "Return to your mistress and submit yourself under her authority."

Genesis 16:9
The angel of the Lord said to her, "Go home to your mistress and obey her."

Genesis 16:9
Then the Lord 's angel said to her, "Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.

Genesis 16:9
The Angel of the LORD said to her, "Go back to your mistress, and submit humbly to her authority."

Genesis 16:9
So the angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority."

Genesis 16:9
Then the Angel of the Lorde saide to her, Returne to thy dame, and humble thy selfe vnder her hands.

Genesis 16:9
Then the angel of Yahweh said to her, "Return to your mistress and humble yourself under her hands."

Genesis 16:9
The angel said, "Go back to Sarai and be her slave.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I beseech you, brethren,.... Entreat or exhort you as brethren in the Lord; this entreaty or exhortation is to submission to fellow helpers and labourers of the ministry, more particularly expressed in the following verse, after the apostle has given a character of the household of Stephanas, who are principally intended, and which contains reasons and arguments why they should be submitted to; and which account stands in the following parenthesis,

ye know the house of Stephanas; a person of note at Corinth, whom the apostle had baptized, together with his family, 1 Corinthians 1:16. The Vulgate Latin version, and some copies, add, "and of Fortunatus and Achaicus", persons mentioned along with Stephanas, in 1 Corinthians 1:17;

that it is the firstfruits of Achaia: this family was one of the first in the regions of Achaia, of which Corinth was the metropolis, that believed in Christ; these were some of the first instances of conversion, and who received the firstfruits of the Spirit in these parts, and by the grace of God had been enabled to persevere hitherto, and were worthy of respect: the same he says of Epaenetus, in Romans 16:5;

and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints; that is, either to minister to the wants of poor saints, whether out of their own substance, or the churches' stock, being deacons, or to minister to the saints by preaching the Gospel; which good work they desired, willingly gave up themselves to, and cheerfully engaged in, and took the oversight and care of the flock, not by constraint, but willingly; not that they thrust themselves into an office, or came into it in an irregular way, but being called into it in an orderly manner by the church, and invested with it, they applied to the execution of it with great heartiness, diligence, and zeal, and so were very deserving of due respect, as next mentioned.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I beseech you, brethren - The construction here is somewhat involved, but the sense is plain. The words, “I beseech you,” in this verse, are evidently to be taken in connection with 1 Corinthians 16:16, “I beseech you that ye submit yourselves unto such,” etc. The design is to exhort them to pay proper deference to Stephanas, and to all who sustained the same rank and character; and the remainder of 1 Corinthians 16:15 is designed to state the reason why they should show respect and kindness to the household of Stephanas.

Ye know the house - You are acquainted with the household, or family. Probably a considerable portion, or all, of the family of Stephanas had been converted to the Christian faith.

Of Stephanas - See the note at 1 Corinthians 1:16. Paul there says that he had baptized his family. That it is the first-fruits of Achaia. They were the first converted to the Christian religion in Achaia; see the note at Romans 16:5. Respecting Achaia, see the note at Acts 18:12.

That they have addicted themselves ... - That they have devoted themselves to the service of Christians. That is, by aiding the ministry; by showing hospitality; by providing for their needs; by attending and aiding the apostles in their journeys, etc.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Corinthians 16:15. Ye know the house of Stephanas — Ye know that Stephanas and his family have addicted them to the help of the followers of Christ; they have been the chief instruments of supporting the work of God in Achaia, of which work they themselves have been the first fruits. Romans 16:5; Romans 16:5.