Man Up

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Paul is exhorting the church in Corinth to boldly and courageously defend the faith. He commands to “act like men.”

So what does he mean by this. The context shows that men are to be diligent minutemen always on the alert, to stand steadfast in the faith, and to be spiritually strong.

The opposite of being manly is acting womanly. In Isaiah 19:16, Jeremiah 51:30 and Nahum 3:13, the enemies of God are insulted as being like women. God’s judgment on these nations causes them to “tremble and be in dread” because “their strength is exhausted.”

This is not, however, an insult to women. Women are delicate, sensitive, and nurturing. These are admirable and necessary attributes. Indeed this was God’s design and purpose for the weaker vessel. It is right for women to be feminine, and men to be masculine.

Try this. Go and tell your wife that as a mother she is like a Navy Seal. She probably won’t take too kindly to that comment. It is right and good for women to be feminine, and men to be masculine.

Therefore, we men must heed this call to man up and be watchful, steadfast, and strong.

for His glory,
DJ