1 Corinthians 16:15

Arabic APD 2024 (كِتاب العَهد الجَّديد مِن الكِتاب المُقَدَّس)

إنتو بِتَعرِفو ناس بيت اسْتِفَانَاس أوَّل ثِمار أَخَائِيَه، و كيف هُم أدّو نُفوسُم لِخِدمَة القِدِّسين. أطلُبو ليكُم، يا أخوان،

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Paul is asking his fellow believers to remember the house of Stephanas, a family that was among the first to embrace Christianity in Achaia and has been serving other Christians enthusiastically.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're on a sports team. The coach asks everyone to cheer for your best friend's family because they were the first to join the team and have always helped others play better. That’s what Paul is doing here, cheering for Stephanas' family for their great work in helping other Christians.

Historical Background

This verse comes from a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth around AD 53-54. It was addressed to a community of early Christian believers facing various issues and challenges as they navigated their new faith within a largely pagan environment.

Living It Out Today

Today, this verse reminds us that we should acknowledge and appreciate those who step up first in our communities or teams to support others. For example, if your local church has a volunteer family who tirelessly helps organize events, make sure to thank them for their service and encourage others to follow their lead.

Topics

• service
• faithfulness
• appreciation
• church leadership
• early Christianity
• volunteerism

Related Verses

• Romans 16:5
• Philippians 4:3
• Acts 28:7-8
• 1 Thessalonians 5:12
• Hebrews 6:10

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Paul specifically mention Stephanas' family?

Paul mentions them because they were among the first to believe and serve, setting an example for others. Recognizing their service encourages both those being recognized and other believers.

What does 'firstfruits' mean in this context?

'Firstfruits' refers to the idea of offering the first part of a harvest as a sacrifice. Here, it means Stephanas’ family was among the earliest converts in Achaia and thus exemplary.

How can we apply the message about recognizing service today?

We can thank those who serve by acknowledging their work openly, encouraging others to follow their example, and showing gratitude for their efforts in our communities or churches.

What does it mean to be addicted to ministry?

Being 'addicted' here means they were deeply committed and passionate about serving the saints. It's a metaphorical way of saying Stephanas’ family was fully devoted to their service in the church.