As I have pointed out, each section in this epistle concludes with some practical admonition. These verses constitute a summary exhortation for the whole letter.
16:13-14 Paul urged his somewhat unstable readers to be watchful regarding danger from inside as well as outside the church (cf. Acts 20:29-30). Most of the problems in this church evidently arose from within the congregation. This expression sometimes occurs with anticipation of the Lord's coming, so that may have been in Paul's thinking as well (e.g., Matt. 24:42). His readers should also stand firm in their trust in God and their commitment to His Word and will (cf. 15:58). Rather than acting like immature children they should behave as mature men (cf. 1:12). They should be strong in the Lord rather than weak in the faith (cf. Josh. 1:7-8). Above all, love should motivate and mark them (ch. 13). This was the great need of this church.
16:15-16 The Corinthians had a special problem with submission to authority, as we have seen. Many in the church wanted to do their own thing. Verses 16-18 would have encouraged them to appreciate some less flashy servants of the Lord.
Stephanus and his family were Paul's first converts in Achaia (1:16). They had given themselves unselfishly to serving the Corinthians. They were probably loyal to Paul and may have been the source from which the apostle received some of his information about conditions in this church. Paul urged that his readers appreciate Stephanus and his family for their ministry and not ride over them but submit humbly to them. They should treat others such as them with similar honor. Service, not status, should be the basis for honor in the church.
16:17-18 Stephanus had recently visited Paul in Ephesus with the two other Corinthian brothers the apostle named. They may have carried the questions Paul answered in this letter as well as information about conditions in the church. They had all ministered refreshingly to Paul as they typically did in Corinth. Paul wanted the Corinthians to be sure to recognize them too.
