Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

We are about to begin our next study in 3 days. We will begin with the book of Hosea. Hosea shows us that covenant faithfulness is proven over time, not declared in a moment. This means it is time to get your next Scripture Journal from our website for this study. If you are a Project23 partner giving $35/month or more, we have already sent this to you by mail.

Our shout-out today goes to Rudolf De Jong from Hartford, MI. Thanks for your partnership in Project23.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 16:15-18.

Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people. — 1 Corinthians 16:15-18

Who do you naturally respect?

Is it those who "have devoted themselves to the service of the saints?"

It is interesting here that Paul picks out this quality at the end. He spent the whole letter giving no reference to platformed leaders, even admonishes them, and then here at the end mentions by name those they would have missed. The contrast is pointed and powerful.

The word "devoted" implies deliberate commitment. They appointed themselves to "serve." Not to the platform. Not to prominence. But to service.

And Paul tells the church to do something counterintuitive to their culture:

"Be subject to such as these."

This flips worldly instincts. It turns to those who have wholeheartedly given themselves to the Lord and to serving him from the right motivation for the benefit of others.

Most, even today, naturally honor charisma, confidence, and visibility. Paul honors devotion, consistency, and quiet service. Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who were not in the spotlight.

They earned trust through faithfulness.

And Paul adds:

"They have refreshed my spirit as well as yours."

Faithful servants strengthen the weary. They stabilize churches. They encourage leaders. They refresh the saints.

Resurrection faith does not just produce bold courage (yesterday's daily). It produces durable service. And mature churches know how to recognize it.

So tell a faithful servant thank you this week, and appreciate the ordinary, faithful men and women like Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus.

DO THIS:

Identify one steady, faithful servant in your church who rarely receives attention. Thank them personally this week.

ASK THIS:

1. Do I value visibility more than faithfulness?
2. Am I refreshing others—or draining them?
3. Who has quietly strengthened my faith that I have never properly honored?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, give me eyes to see faithful service. Keep me from chasing applause and teach me to honor those who quietly labor for your name. Make me a source of refreshment to your people. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

We are about to begin our next study in 4 days. We will begin with the book of Hosea. Hosea reveals what happens when strength is disconnected from covenant loyalty. This means it is time to get your next Scripture Journal from our website for this study. If you are a Project23 partner giving $35/month or more, we have already sent this to you by mail.

Our shout-out today goes to Matthew Meester from Pullman, WA. Thanks for your partnership in Project23.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. — 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Paul fires off five rapid commands. Four of them build toward one that is often misunderstood — and often misapplied. "Act like men."

Corinth lived in a culture obsessed with status, rhetoric, and public displays of power. Weakness was despised. Honor was everything. But courage in Paul's mind is not posturing. It is perseverance in truth.

To "act like men" meant this: hold the line when false teaching pressures you. Endure when culture mocks you. Refuse to bend when doctrine becomes costly.

In our time, courage is often redefined as self-expression or ideological conformity. But biblical courage is different. It is steady allegiance to Christ when the cultural winds shift. It is clarity without cruelty. It is conviction without compromise.

At the same time, Paul does not let courage drift into harshness.

"Let all that you do be done in love."

Courage divorced from love becomes theological brutality. Love divorced from courage becomes woke empathy. Christian maturity refuses both extremes.

Therefore, to "act like men," in Paul's sense, is to embody resurrection-shaped bravery—rooted in truth, restrained by love.

This is what resurrection-shaped courage looks like: Not loud. Not reactive. Not intimidated. Instead steady. Alert. Anchored in Christ. And governed by love.

DO THIS:

Identify one area where you have softened biblical conviction to avoid tension. Take one concrete step this week to speak or act with clarity and love.

ASK THIS:

1. Am I watchful—or drifting?
2. Am I firm in the gospel—or flexible under pressure?
3. Have I confused cultural approval with biblical courage?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, teach me real courage. Make me steady in truth and gentle in love. Keep me from cowardice on one side and harshness on the other. Shape my bravery after Christ. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Courage"

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

We are about to begin our next study in 5 days. We will begin with the book of Hosea. Hosea exposes what happens when leadership fails, and hearts drift from covenant loyalty. This means it is time to get your next Scripture Journal from our website for this study. If you are a Project23 partner giving $35/month or more, we have already sent this to you by mail.

Our shout-out today goes to Doug & Jena Martin from East Earl, PA. Thanks for your partnership in Project23.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 16:10-12.

When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity. — 1 Corinthians 16:10-12

Paul closes his letter with another reminder:

"When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you… for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am."

Timothy was much younger. More timid than Paul. Not flashy, as educated, smooth, and a master of debate like Paul.

And this is critical to note because Corinth loved impressive leaders.

Knowing this, Paul commands something that goes against the culture of Corinth: Do not despise him.

For "seasoned" believers, spiritual maturity shows up in how you treat those coming behind you—especially young, aspiring leaders who are still finding their footing.

They may not be as charismatic. They may not yet carry influence. They may not speak with polished confidence. But if they are faithful, they need older believers who will steady them, defend them, and invest in them.

Timothy was one of those younger workers who was "doing the work of the Lord." Not much is ever said about his style or the strength of his personality. But he was known for being faithful.

Then Paul mentions Apollos. Apollos was different. Eloquent. Strong. Capable. And Paul leaned on him differently:

"I strongly urged him… but it was not at all his will to come now."

Notice Paul's strong will and humility combined as the "seasoned" leader. There is no rivalry. No insecurity. No control. Just mutual respect in the work of Christ, with the strong encouragement for him to return to Corinth.

The Corinthians had a history of dividing over leaders because of their immaturity. Remember, this is one of the first issues Paul addressed in this letter. "Some follow Paul." "Some follow Apollos." But Paul ends the letter by modeling something better. Honor faithful servants. Refuse personality cults. Reject leader worship.

Here's why.

The church does not need more celebrity. It already has a risen Lord. What it needs are older believers who will refuse cynicism, reject comparison, and actively champion the next generation of faithful workers.

DO THIS:

Identify one younger believer or leader in your church and intentionally encourage them this week. Speak specific words of affirmation and, if appropriate, offer your guidance and support.

ASK THIS:

1. Am I investing in the next generation—or merely critiquing it?
2. Have I withheld encouragement because someone does not lead the way I would?
3. Am I actively strengthening younger leaders who quietly labor in the Lord?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, guard my heart from cynicism and comparison. Teach me to champion younger leaders with wisdom and humility, strengthening those who are doing your work. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"The Servant King"