1Cor 16:17-18 - Quiet, Humble, Faithful Men

17-18 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.


Paul was at Ephesus when this epistle was written, and it seems most probable that these three Corinthian churchmen carried to Paul the letter earlier alluded to {1Co 7:1} - and that they also bore this letter back to Corinth. Their accompaniment of the letter obviously gave opportunity for a fuller and more personal report to Paul on the state of the church in Corinth, and of the influences that were at work there.

These were undoubtedly stable and humble men who would neither exaggerate nor slander other folk, and who would have no axe to grind but that Christ be glorified in the conduct of His church. Paul was obviously blessed by the nature of their company and they clearly encouraged Paul in his longsuffering and patient love for the troubled congregation. In appreciation of their fair-minded, honest, loving and truthful representations Paul once more exhorts the Corinthians to see these qualities in such men as worthy of notice, and of making them the sort of people to whom submission with the hearing ear would be wise.