1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Watch you, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.… The associations of war and battle breathe in every word of this exhortation. It touches the heart as the spirit-stirring address of a trusted leader touches the hearts of his comrades at some great emergency of the conflict. As the foe gathers in the distance, half hidden behind the brow of the hill or beneath the shadow of the forest, and it remains doubtful for the moment at what quarter the storm will break, his warning voice calls to vigilance — "Watch ye." As the tide of war rolls its threatening masses onwards, and the advancing column of the enemy, grim and ominous as a thundercloud, threatens to overwhelm the slender line of defenders, the leader's clear voice is heard in the momentary hush of suspense, exhorting them to steadiness and constancy — "Stand fast." As the opposing lines break in the shock of battle confusedly, like the meeting of two angry tides, and warrior contends hand to hand with warrior, the familiar voice still sounds amid the tumult, "Quit you like men." As beneath the fury of the assault the line of the patriot host shakes and wavers, and the crisis calls for a courage prepared to die, but never to yield, I picture to myself the figure of the dauntless leader as he lifts his banner aloft and shouts, "Be strong." (Canon Garbett.) Parallel Verses KJV: Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.WEB: Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong! |
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