Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
1 Corinthians 16:13 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 13. 13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse commands vigilance, steadfast faith, courage, and strength.
Stand firm like adults, then honor the people whose labor refreshed you.
This verse is one part of that explanation in 1 Corinthians 16:13–18. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- 1 Corinthians 16:13–18
Read 1 Corinthians 16:13 with 16:13–18. This verse commands vigilance, steadfast faith, courage, and strength. The complete unit establishes: Paul calls the Corinthians to vigilance, steadfast faith, courage, strength, and love; he asks them to recognize and cooperate with the household of Stephanas and every coworker whose self-given labor serves the saints, including the delegates whose presence refreshed Paul and the Corinthians.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The final exhortation condenses the letter's courage and power language under love, then identifies service rather than status as the ground for recognition. At 16:13, this verse commands vigilance, steadfast faith, courage, and strength.
Follow the Context
- Watchfulness, steadfast faith, courage, and strength are commanded.
- All conduct must occur in love.
- Stephanas's household is known for voluntary service.
- The community should cooperate with such coworkers.
- Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus filled an absence through their visit.
- Their refreshing work should be recognized.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be”
In plain language: This verse commands vigilance, steadfast faith, courage, and strength.
It contributes specifically to Courage and Strength Operate through Love and Recognized Service inside 1 Corinthians 16:13–18.
Why it matters: The verse carries enough interpretive or pastoral weight to require the full unit and its explicit limits.
How certain? probableWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
1 Corinthians 16:13 does not turn the fact that it commands vigilance, steadfast faith, courage, and strength into a standalone universal rule.
What Remains True
This verse commands vigilance, steadfast faith, courage, and strength. This supports the unit's enduring conclusion: Christian courage and strength are governed by love, and trustworthy service earns accountable recognition rather than domination.
Teach It Back
Explain 1 Corinthians 16:13's contribution to 1 Corinthians 16:13–18. Include the surrounding argument, the named interpretive uncertainty, and one use the verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read 1 Corinthians 16:13–18 — Courage and Strength Operate through Love and Recognized ServiceSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
Whether 'submit' denotes general cooperation or stronger leadership recognition is debated. The qualifying profile is visible labor in love, not title alone.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 1 Corinthians 16:13–18, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 1Cor.txt, 16:13–18
Open the 1 Corinthians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - 1 Corinthians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 1 Corinthians 16:13–18 print view with translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 1 Corinthians PDFLexical and grammatical evidence
STEP Bible Data
Tyndale House Cambridge
Tyndale House Cambridge, repository snapshot verified 2026
Supports: Independent morphology and lexical-range cross-check for material Greek claims.
Exact location: STEP Bible Data repository morphology and lexical records for 1 Corinthians 16:13–18
Open source ↗modern open commentary
1 Corinthians
Eric C. Redmond
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, 2023
Supports: Whole-letter movement, Corinthian setting, bibliography, major alternatives, and verse-level interpretation.
Exact location: Redmond, The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary: 1 Corinthians, introduction and section on 16:13–18
Open source ↗