1 Corinthians 16:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They might have been displeased with these persons, because these were the very men who came and reported their disorders to Paul. Through them also it had been written to him about virginity and marriage. See, then, how at the very beginning of the epistle he calmed them, when he said: "For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you" (1 Cor 1:11).

There, while pointing to them, he also concealed them. Of course, he mentions them here. Now he says: "They supplied what was lacking on your part, for they refreshed my spirit and yours." By this he shows that they came to him in place of all, and for their sake resolved to undertake such a journey.

He declares that his repose is their repose. Since they refreshed me, and my refreshment is useful for you yourselves, let nothing unpleasant to them be expressed on your part. “Acknowledge such men,” that is, honor them.

They refreshed my spirit and yours, because they sincerely gave me exact information about your life. They presented to me your perplexities, which I explained to them. In some of you I see firmness and zeal for the faith. In others I see weakness, but together with it a desire to be firm.

Rumor about this weakness troubled the loving soul of the Apostle Paul. But trustworthy persons came from Corinth, told everything as it was, and refreshed the spirit of the holy Apostle.

These same three persons also had to refresh the spirit of the Corinthians. They were to bring them a faithful explanation of their perplexities, communicate the Apostle's ardent love for them as sinners, and thereby plant peace and courage in the despondent souls of the sinning Corinthians.

You too, Christians, should honor such people and show them gratitude.

The Corinthians sent a letter with them and asked the Apostle about those who had married. With them the Apostle also sent this epistle. Blessed Timothy, as some supposed, did not serve as the bearer of the writing. Although he had been sent to them, he probably fulfilled another need in another city and only afterward came to them. What is written about him leads to this thought, for it says, “If Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear.” The Apostle commends these men with special care, so that the Corinthians would not grieve them through suspicion that they had been accusers of the Corinthians.

Fortunatus and Achaicus are among the seventy Apostles. Perhaps they were also of the household of Chloe, about whom Paul wrote at the beginning of his epistle: "For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household" (Chrysostom on 1 Cor 1:11).

The Corinthians sent these men, together with Stephanas, to Paul with a writing that contained questions about marriage, virginity, and sacrifices offered to idols. When they came to him, they told him about the schism among the Corinthians, about the fornicator, and also that some of them said there was no resurrection of the dead (1 Cor 15:12).

After this, exhorting them to steadfastness in faith and love, he instills respect for the household of Stephanas and for Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus personally, the envoys of the Corinthians (1 Cor 16:13-18).

As always, and especially in times of disorder, great beneficial importance belongs not to many persons, but to the chosen, who are strong in firmness of faith and Christian wisdom. Such firm pillars were also found among the Corinthians.

The Apostle points to them in the person of Stephanas, his household, and those like them, Fortunatus and Achaicus. The Apostle commands that they be followed as true Christians who seek the profit of the Church and assist in the salvation of her members. Their opponents are to be avoided as harmful and dangerous people.

They refreshed the spirit of St. Paul by making it possible for him to see in themselves all the beloved children of the Corinthian Church. They did so especially by presenting the condition of that Church in its true form.

That is, there were irregularities, but they were more the work of lack of understanding than of carelessness for good or unwillingness to show themselves corrected in all things. This meant that it was enough to show them how things should be, and everything would go as it ought. This is what St. Paul does in the epistle.

The wise man who does works of piety refreshes the spirit of the holy man. For the spirit strives toward good works.