The Brotherhood of The Book
Phinehas “A Man of Strength, Courage & Righteousness”
Introduction:
As Christian men, we are called to be steadfast, unwavering, and strong in our faith. The Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthians to be steadfast in their service to God, and through the lives of Eli and Phinehas, we see the contrasting examples of leadership and godliness. Today, we will explore these themes and reflect on how we can be the kind of men God has called us to be—men of strength, courage, and righteousness.
Part 1: Steadfastness and Strength – 1 Corinthians 15:58 and 1 Corinthians 16:13
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV): “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
Compare and Contrast – “Steadfast vs. Watchful”
Compare and Contrast – “Immovable vs. Stand Firm”
Compare and Contrast – “Abounding vs. Act Like Men”
Compare and Contrast – “Labor vs. Strong”
Exposition of 1 Corinthians 15:58:
In this verse, Paul exhorts the Corinthians to remain steadfast and immovable in their faith and in the work of the Lord. The context of this passage is that Paul has just shared the hope of the resurrection and the victory over sin and death. He tells them that, because of the victory in Christ, their labor is not in vain. Even in the face of persecution, trials, or difficulty, the work done for Christ will bear eternal fruit.
Charles Spurgeon, in his commentary, emphasizes the need for perseverance in the Christian life: “We must not only be steadfast in our beliefs but also in our actions. The labor is not in vain. The trials of life and the struggles of ministry are not meaningless when we are rooted in the hope of the resurrection.”
Exposition of 1 Corinthians 16:13:
Paul, in this verse, calls the Corinthians to watchfulness, steadfastness, and strength. He emphasizes the importance of standing firm in faith, acting like men, and being strong. This isn’t just about physical strength but the strength of character and integrity in the face of challenges. Paul is urging men to rise to their calling as leaders—watchful, unwavering, and full of courage.
Spurgeon, in his sermon “Act Like Men,” writes, “Christian men are not to be weak and fearful; they are to act as men—brave, resolute, unyielding, and full of strength. The world needs men who will stand firm and be unmovable in their faith, not swayed by every wind of doctrine or every challenge that comes their way.”
Application for Christian Men:
Steadfastness in faith: As Christian men, we must stand firm in our beliefs. Life will test us, but we are called to remain steadfast, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain.
Strength in action: Our strength is not just physical; it is spiritual and emotional. We are to be strong in our convictions and courageous in our actions.
Watchfulness: We must be alert to the dangers around us—both spiritual and moral—and stay vigilant in our leadership.
Part 2: Contrasting Leadership – Eli vs. Phinehas
Now, let us turn to two contrasting examples of leadership and godliness from the Old Testament: Eli the Priest and Phinehas the Priest.
Eli the Priest – 1 Samuel 3 & 4
Eli was the high priest during the time of the Judges. In 1 Samuel 3, we see that God calls Eli’s young assistant, Samuel, to deliver a message of judgment against Eli’s household because of his sons’ wickedness. Eli, despite his position of authority, had failed to restrain his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were engaging in sinful practices, even in the house of God.
In 1 Samuel 4, we see that Eli’s sons were killed in battle, and Eli himself died after hearing the news. His failure as a father and priest led to tragic consequences.
Phinehas the Priest – Numbers 25:1-9
Phinehas, on the other hand, is shown in a very different light in Numbers 25. While the Israelites were engaging in idolatry and immorality with the Moabite women, Phinehas took decisive action. He was filled with zeal for God’s honor and executed justice by killing a man and woman who were blatantly sinning in front of the congregation.
This act of righteous anger stopped God’s judgment, and Phinehas was commended for his zeal and for turning God’s wrath away from Israel.
Comparison: Eli vs. Phinehas
Failure to Act (Eli): Eli, though a high priest, failed to act decisively in the face of sin. He allowed his sons to continue in their sin, and though he rebuked them, he did not take the necessary steps to remove them from their position. His failure to confront sin in his household led to his own downfall.
Zealous Action (Phinehas): Phinehas, in contrast, demonstrated zeal for God’s holiness. He was not passive in the face of sin. He acted decisively and quickly, showing no tolerance for idolatry or immorality. His actions were marked by godly courage and righteousness, and God rewarded him for his zeal.
Psalm 106:28-31 (ESV):
“Then they yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices offered to the dead; they provoked the Lord to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stayed. And that was counted to him as righteousness from generation to generation forever.”
Spurgeon, in his sermon on Phinehas, writes, “Phinehas was a man of action—a man who would not stand by idly while sin corrupted the people of God. His zeal for God’s honor was not an empty passion but a righteous zeal that led him to take bold action.”
Questions to Ponder:
1. What is the central message communicated by these verses in 1 Corinthians 15 & 16?
2. What are the benefits and or consequences of following the wisdom found in these verses?
3. How can you apply the truths of these verses to your own lives daily?
4. What do these verses teach you about God and his character?
Lessons for Christian Men:
Godly Leadership: As men, we are called to lead our families and communities with righteousness and strength. We cannot afford to be passive or indifferent to sin, especially in our own households. Like Phinehas, we must take action when necessary, protecting the purity of God’s people and standing firm against sin.
Courage in Confrontation: Godly men are not afraid to confront sin when they see it. It takes courage to stand firm for righteousness, but that is what we are called to do.
Faithfulness in Responsibility: Eli’s downfall was his failure to take responsibility for his family and his priestly duties. As Christian men, we must be faithful to the responsibilities God has given us, leading our families and communities with integrity.
Conclusion:
May we, as men of God, stand firm in the faith, lead with courage, and be unmovable in our commitment to the Lord. Let us be men who are steadfast in our faith and strong in our leadership, following the example of the apostle Paul. Let us have the the zeal of Phinehas, to be men of strength, courage and righteousness, to the glory of God. Amen.