QUIT YOU LIKE MEN
1 Corinthians 16:13(KJV)
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
I want to take off from the series I have been teaching from 1 Corinthians to explore the phrase “quit you like men.”
The Bible, and this particular book are not written only to men.
The term “man” can be generic in relation to gender as in “the whole of mankind.”
This particular epistle is written to the whole church in Corinth and addresses issues directly related to women.[1]
I take it then that everyone can benefit from obeying this passage.
It would be beneficial for every Christian, male and female to
· Watch
· Stand fast in the faith and
· Be strong
It is interesting that the whole phrase “quit you like men” is one word meaning roughly, “act manly.”
It occurs only here in the New Testament though a similar phrase is found repeatedly in the Old Testament.[2]
Manliness means more than bravery, gallantry, etc.[3]
John Gill says,
“Quit you like men; like men of wisdom and understanding; be not like children for non-proficiency, instability, and weakness;
actthe part of men; believe not every spirit; be not carried and tossed about with every wind of doctrine;
searchthe Scriptures, and try every doctrine by them; and having found what is truth
abideby it, and be proficient in it, instructing and establishing yourselves and others.”
Jesus would be the ideal example of real manliness.
HE WAS A MAN
1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
As a man, Jesus experienced every type of human struggle you and I do.
*I. HE WAS TEMPTED
Matthew 4:1 (KJV)
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
I sometimes think men are tempted more than the ladies.
At least I know that in my case, I have a much more difficult time resisting the temptations than it seems like Anita has.
Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted. He knows what it feels like to have that relentless temptation to give in.
Doesn’t it feel like that sometimes?
Like temptations come at you from so many directions it is almost impossible to keep from giving in to some of them!
It almost seems unfair to have to try to resist as much as we do!
Over and over the devil came to Jesus to tempt Him and to try to draw Him into a sin.
He knows what we are going through.
*II. HE SUFFERED THE DEATH OF HIS STEP FATHER
And throughout His earthly ministry carried the burden of providing for his mother.
As Mary’s firstborn son, it would have fallen upon the Lord to provide for Mary, and for His half brothers and sisters until they were grown.
One of the areas men often use as an excuse not to serve the Lord as faithfully as we should is that we have family to take care of.
· There are bills to pay
· There are mouths to feed
· There is a roof to put over the family’s head.
After all, doesn’t the Bible say that he that provides not for his family is worse than an infidel?[4]
Jesus knew the burden of providing for his family.
So much so that, even while dying on the cross, He asked the Apostle John to make sure His mother was taken care of.[5]
*III. HE BECAME HUNGRY, THIRSTY AND SLEEPY
Matthew 4:2 (KJV)
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Matthew 8:22-24 (KJV)
But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
John 19:28 (KJV)
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
You see, He was every bit as human as you and me.
*IV. HE SORROWED AND WEPT
John 11:33 (KJV)
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
Luke 19:41 (KJV)
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
John 11:35 (KJV)
Jesus wept.
It is just human nature to think that nobody has gone through what we have gone through - nobody has it as bad as I have it.
It is human nature to think that our Lord does not know what it takes to be a man these days, but He does.
He has been there too.
*V. HE KNEW THE PRESSURES OF HAVING PEOPLE TO DO FOR ALL THE TIME
Mark 2:4 (KJV)
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
Luke 8:19 (KJV)
Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.
Luke 19:3 (KJV)
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
There were times when Jesus and His disciples went away to get away from the press but were found even at their retreats. And Jesus ministered to them.
He knew what it was like to be hounded by pressures.
· At home
· At work
Even sometimes when you are on vacation, there is no way to get away from all the pressures you face.
Jesus KNOWS He has been there too.
It is true that Jesus is more than a man BUT HE IS ALL MAN.
There is nothing that you and I go through that Jesus cannot relate to.
And you can come to Jesus and find in Him, MORE THAN just a sympathetic ear.
He is One Who can help you in that time of need.
Jesus is a man.
[1]1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (KJV)
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
[2] Jos 1:6-7, Jos 1:9, Jos 1:18; 1Ch 28:20; 2Ch 32:7; Neh 2:1; and in 18 other places (Albert Barnes Commentary)
[3]Though I am sure it means those things too.
[4]1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
[5]John 19:26-27 (KJV)
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
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