I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition (1 Corinthians 16:17-18).

Paul misses his friends at Corinth.

Yes, they’ve been a frustration–this letter to them has plenty of correction and even anger in it.

But they’re family, and you miss your family–dysfunctional as they may be.

Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have brought Paul news of the church. Much of 1 Corinthians is probably a response to what they told him and the letter they brought (see 7:1). Seeing them makes his heart glad, probably brings back a rush of memories.

I can relate.

Beloved, I am so glad that God chose to allow passages such as this to be preserved in his word. No, it isn’t high theology or the path of salvation or an explanation of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

But

it does remind us that Paul, and the Corinthians for that matter, were more than fonts of theology or flannelboard cutouts.

They were people.

People like us

I don’t know about you, but that is something I need to be reminded of from time to time.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved