1. Studies in 1 Corinthians (62) The household of Stephanas 1 Cor. 16:15-18

2. The Household of Stephanas ( 15 ) We know little about him Baptized by Paul ( 1 Cor. 1:16 ) The “firstfruits of Achaia” ( cf. Rom. 16:5 )

3. “Devoted” to the ministry of saints ( 15 ) Devoted, ( ἔ ταξαν, etaxan) – to do something with great devotion, to give oneself to (L&N 68:69) - to place in order, arrange, to assign oneself to a task – the idea of this text is they determined to take care of the saints.

4. “Devoted” to the ministry of saints ( 15 ) KJV, “addicted” While not the intended meaning of the text, it does drive home their dedication to their work and the brethren

5. “Addicted” In our language, almost always a negative connotation. One who is consumed by a substance or activity and cannot overcome it.

6. “Addicted”  One becomes dependent  A priority or obsession  Everything affected by it  Resources devoted to it  Seek others to join in it  Almost impossible to overcome

7. Are we “addicted” to serving God? Are we dependent upon God? Psalm 62:5 Proverbs 3:5 John 15:5

8. Are we “addicted” to serving God? Is serving Him a priority in our lives? Matt. 6:33, 24 Exodus 20:3 Gal. 2:20

9. Are we “addicted” to serving God? Does our service to Him affect everything we do? Every relationship? Col. 3:17 Luke 2:49, “I must be about My Father’s business”

10. Are we “addicted” to serving God? Does our service to Him affect everything we do? Every relationship? Matt. 8:18-22 Matt. 19:21 Luke 14:25-27

11. Are we “addicted” to serving God? What resources do we devote to serving Him? Do we give – 1 Cor. 16:1-2, 2 Cor. 9:6-7 Do we give our time, abilities – cf. Matt. 25:15

12. Are we “addicted” to serving God? What resources do we devote to serving Him? Do we give up what hinders us – Matt. 19:21, Phil. 3:7-8 Are we a living sacrifice? Rom. 12:1

13. Are we “addicted” to serving God? Do we prefer to be around others of “like precious faith”? 1 Cor. 15:33 1 Pet. 2:17 – love the brotherhood Heb. 10:24-25 Phil. 2:3

14. Are we “addicted” to serving God? Are we so firmly rooted in Him, Satan cannot defeat us? Eph. 4:14 Rom. 8:35-39 1 John 4:4

15. Submit to such! ( 16- 18 ) Fortunas and Achaicus also – from Corinth Paul praised their coming to him They supplied what was lacking – probably a report

16. Submit to such! ( 16- 18 ) Support such men Submit to them And everyone who labors (intensely) We are a team – 1 Cor. 12:12-27

17. Submit to such! ( 16- 18 ) Acknowledge them Praise is sometimes needed (though not sought) Heb. 13:7, 17 Phil. 3:17, 1 Thess. 5:12

18. If Paul were to visit here, what would he say about us?