Stephanas and his family were definitely addicted and had been from Day One. They were controlled and propelled by it 24/7. Onlookers probably wondered: “How did this ever happen? How did it get such a hold on them?” It certainly wasn’t a closet addiction. Everyone knew about it, but it seemed nothing could break them off it. If ever there were an environment where this addiction should not have thrived, it was in Corinth.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers, and in the concluding statements of his letter, he said this:
…ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints…” 1 Corinthians 16:15 KJV
The King James Version translators chose the word ‘addicted‘ to describe how Stephanas and his family dedicated and devoted themselves to helping other Christians. The word simply means: they determined before God at the outset of their Christian lives to serve others. They appointed themselves, committed themselves, or set themselves to ministering to the needs of believers.
Stephanas was one of the first ones Paul saw saved in Corinth – if not the very first one. It must have been a thrill for the Apostle Paul to see Stephanas obey the Lord in baptism. (1 Corinthians 1:16) After the local church started in Corinth, many sad and disappointing things happened inside the fellowship. There were divisions between believers, departure, pride and arrogance, and gross immorality and its tolerance. But through all of the church troubles — the hostilities, the bickerings and the in-fighting, Stephanas never stopped helping the Christians in whatever way their family could. His helpfulness was amazing!
Tragically people are addicted to drugs, gambling, pornography and many other things in life, and it is so hard to get them stopped once they have started down that road. In a good sense, once Stephanas and his family committed to giving their lives to serving others, it seemed nothing could stop them. So Paul told the believers in Corinth to respect and honour believers who devote their lives to serving and helping others.
How did Stephanas and his household get hooked in the first place? I suspect when they trusted Christ as their Saviour their attitude before God was:
“Lord, what do You want me to do? I will do anything I can do for You. Just show me the path You want me to take, and I will fully obey and give my all to pleasing You and ministering to Your people.“
That’s the attitude the Lord values in our lives today. A desire to obey Him in every possible way and a willingness to do whatever He wants us to do.
Nothing was too small for Stephanas to do for other believers. In their hearts, they purposed or ‘set themselves’ to serving the Christians. Helping out with food, with money, with spiritual counsel, with babysitting, with clothing, with — well you name it. Paul kept it general and all-encompassing. He didn’t list the specifics of how they served.
When trouble came into the local church (as it invariably does) and the problems escalated – Stephanas kept at it. He took the high road. Their family didn’t get bogged down in the issues or caught up in the bitterness. No, they kept their hearts sweet before the Lord, and they maintained their focus on serving the Christians. They wouldn’t allow the issues, the problems or even the pettiness to side-track them or derail them in their path of obedience and service to the Lord.
Short Gospel Video – Don’t Rain on My Parade
It is a good reminder for all of us this year: don’t get bogged down in local church or Christian assembly problems. Just set yourself — or, become addicted to helping all the Lord’s people. In whatever way we can, may we seek to serve others and be a blessing to all.
Am I a healer or stealer of joy within the fellowship?
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay
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