Keep Watch

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

KEEP WATCH

1 Cor 16:10-14

10 If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11 No one, then, should refuse to accept him. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers. 12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity. 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

NIV

Once again, we have more of Paul’s concluding remarks, and some of them are regarding both Timothy and Apollos. It is interesting how humble Paul is considering what an enormous ministry he has among the gentiles. He wants both Timothy and Apollos to have the opportunity to serve, to work among the Corinthian church, and have an impact on them. He wants the church there to open their hearts to those two, showing them hospitality and love. However, Paul cannot help but also give them one last bit of instruction. First, he tells them to be on their guard. The Greek word here has the meaning of keeping watch, much in a military sense when the sentries would be standing guard over the army’s encampment. Guarding against the attacks from the enemy. This is exactly what Paul is admonishing them to do. To keep watch they do not fall prey to the enemy, even that enemy that lurks within, but more toward those warnings, he spent portions of this letter in detail on. To keep watch regarding evils like dissension, erroneous doctrines, false teachers, etc. To keep watch their souls were not ruined and their salvation endangered. This is a fair warning to all believers, which includes us. We too must keep watch. We should not get lazy in our guarding against attacks from the enemy of our soul. He is likened to a roaring lion roaming about to see who he can devour. He cares not about those who are not saved. He cares not about those who refuse to accept Jesus and live for their own pleasures, freely sinning against God. He is no enemy to them, but only to us, who believe. His attacks are aimed directed at us, and therefore God has clothed us in His armor. But even though we are fully clothed and ready for battle, it is incumbent upon us to keep watch, not to turn our backs, or fall asleep and be unaware of the danger that surrounds us or that is lurking in the dark waiting for the opportunity to shoot off a volley of flaming arrows. This would be one of those all-time good lessons to learn, keep watch, be on our guard.