This Verse Separates the Boys from the Men (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

If you’re a Christian single woman who wants to be pursued by a godly man, how can you really know if a guy is ready to lead or if he still needs to be led? If you are a man and you want to make sure you are ready to lead a wife before you start pursuing a woman, what qualities should you be able to see in your own life?

In other words, according to the Scriptures, what’s the difference between a mature man and a man who is not ready to lead?

By studying 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, we can see at least 5 differences that separate the boys from the men.

1. A Boy Needs to Be Watched Over. A Man Is Watching Over Others

1 Corinthians 16:13-14, “Be watchful . . .

The Greek word for “watchful” is grēgoreō (γρηγορέω). It means to “be on the alert; be awake.”¹  

This same Greek word is used in Matthew 24:42, “Therefore, stay awake (grēgoreō), for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”  It’s also used 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV), “Be alert (grēgoreō) and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

In context, when Paul says that to act like a man is to “be watchful,” it means he is meant to be a protector. Like a watchman who must fight off drowsiness to defend against enemies coming in the dead of night, a godly man is thinking defensively. He knows this world is evil and there are people in it who want to do others harm. And more than that, he knows the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places are the real enemy, seeking to deceive people into hell (Ephesians 6:12).

Therefore, it’s safe to say that a boy still needs protection. A man, however, is the one doing the protecting. Of course, a man can’t survive alone. But as he joins with other godly men, he becomes the watchman keeping the women and children safe.

2. A Boy Still Needs Spiritual Milk. A Man Is Ready for Spiritual Meat

1 Corinthians 16:13-14, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith . . .

The Greek word for “stand firm” is stēkō (στήκω). It is a verb that means to “stand fast,” “persist,” or “persevere”.²

The same Greek word is used in Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm (stēkō) therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” It’s also used in 1 Thessalonians 3:8, “For now we live, if you are standing fast (stēkō) in the Lord.”

In context, when Paul says that a man is to “stand firm in the faith,” it means that he is doctrinally grounded. It’s not just that he is stubborn and stands firm on his own opinions. Rather, Paul is saying that a godly man isn’t going to budge (“stand firm”) on the fundamentals of Christianity (“in the faith”).

Therefore, a major difference between a mature man and an immature man is that he’s already been nourished by the spiritual milk of the gospel. He’s not struggling with the elementary truths of Scripture anymore. He’s now blown all over the place whenever he’s presented with an alternative view (Ephesians 4:11-14). Now he is growing and learning more advanced things, while also being able to teach others about the basics of the gospel. As Hebrews 5:12-14 states:

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

3. A Boy Lets Fears Stop Him. A Man Pushes Forward Even When There’s Fear

1 Corinthians 16:13-14, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men . . .”

The Greek word used here for “men” is andrizomai (ἀνδρίζομαι). It means to “act courageously.”³

This is why in the NIV and NLT they translate the phrase “act like men” to “be courageous.” The NKJV translates it as “be brave.”

In context, therefore, a real man cannot be a coward. What is a coward? A coward chooses self-preservation over self-sacrifice. When the good times are there, he’s happy to be a Christian and proclaim Christ. But when he is persecuted and it’s no longer socially acceptable to stand for Jesus, he slinks back into the shadows.

What does it really mean to be brave, to have courage? Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is doing the right thing and fulfilling your duty even when you are afraid. Bravery is not the absence of emotions. It’s the choice to continue forward no matter how you feel about it. Only fools look at danger and have no fear. Boys are not ready to be tested like that. But a man looks at fear in the face, and presses onward, no matter the consequences.

Therefore, a major difference between a boy and a man is that a man doesn’t stop the mission when fears arise.

4. Boys Depend on Themselves for Power. Men Depend on God for Power

1 Corinthians 16:13-14, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong . . .

The Greek word for “strong” is krataioō (κραταιόω) and it means to “become strong; strengthen.”⁴ The same Greek word is used in Ephesians 3:16, “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened (krataioō) with power through his Spirit in your inner being . . .”

As I just explained in my other article called This Verse Explains Why You’re Missing God’s Blessing, there are two truths in Scripture that many people think contradict each other but in fact, they actually complement each other.

On one hand, God says he must provide the protection, the provisions, and all the blessings we need. However, on the other hand, we are also told to work hard and be wise in how we seek to receive these things. So which is it? Is God strong and giving us the things we need? Or are we strong and supposed to work for the things we need?

The truth is, God is strong and he puts his power in us so we are strong. We are weak without Jesus and can do nothing (John 15:5). However, in Christ, we are made powerful by God’s power:

• Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us . . .”
• Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT), “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
• Colossians 1:29 , “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”

A man of God is strong and powerful. But God didn’t choose him because he was strong and powerful. Rather, when God chooses a man, he makes him strong and powerful through his presence. Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

5. Boys Are Dependents. Men Are Dependable

1 Corinthians 16:13-14, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

The Greek word used here for “love” is agapē (ἀγάπη).  It means to have “affection or benevolence”⁵ The same Greek word (agapē) is used throughout Matthew 22:37-40 where it states the first and second greatest commandments are to love God and to love people. This form of love isn’t just a feeling, but it’s also a choice.

Without love, a man is not a true man. Jesus, the ultimate expression of manhood, was perfect love made visible.

Many men struggle with the idea of being strong and loving. They seem like opposites to a lot of us. But that’s because we have taken the world’s definition of love. The world says that love is acceptance, being nice, and acting soft. Biblical love, however, is about doing what’s best for someone no matter the cost to yourself (John 15:13). It requires the highest form of strength.

A boy struggles to think outside of himself. His own needs usually come first. A man, however, has found the deep joy of putting others before himself. He’s learned that love is the mission (Matthew 22:37-40). He’s filled with the love of God so he is empowered to love others (Romans 5:5).

Without love, a man has nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).