1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all your things be done with charity.
1 Corinthians 16:14
“Let all your things be done with charity” sums up Paul’s practical charge to end the letter: let love govern every action. Amid schedules, travel plans, leadership disagreements, and community tensions, love should be the organizing principle. The Greek word for charity here is agape, a self-giving, steadfast love that seeks the good of others. In a bustling, often contentious early church, this command counters favoritism, division, and self-seeking ambition. It’s not a sentimental emotion but a deliberate, daily choice to act in kindness, patience, and generosity. The verse thus functions as a soft close to the letter: the gospel shapes how believers collaborate, resolve conflict, and serve one another.
Theologically, agape love is central to the Christian life and continuity of the local church. It grounds ethical conduct in gospel identity and flows into community life as a living testimony to Christ’s lordship. The verse asserts that love should permeate all actions—communication, service, leadership, and decision-making—ensuring unity and humility. It aligns with Jesus’ command to love one another and the apostolic exhortations to bear one another’s burdens, seek unity, and practice hospitality.
Practically, this means choosing love over anger in disagreements, prioritizing others’ needs, and serving in ways that build up the community. Examples: resolving conflict with patience, offering your time and resources to support others, praising contributors publicly, and choosing to forgive quickly. In everyday life, let acts of kindness shape conversations, meetings, and decisions. When planning church events or family matters, ask: How can love guide this choice? The aim is a culture where people feel seen, valued, and welcomed, reflecting Christ’s transformative love in ordinary interactions.
Cross-References: John 13:34-35, 1 Peter 4:8, Romans 12:9-10, Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:14