Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus

What? Sounds like a foreign language. Actually the foreign looking words above are the names of three men. What were they known for?

We meet these men in Paul's letter to the church at Corinth.

And I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus; because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men (1 Cor 16:17-18).

These three men refreshed Paul and others in the church at Corinth. The word for "refreshed" in the Greek signifies “to cause or permit one to cease from any labor or movement” so as to recover strength ... Its chief significance is that of taking, or causing to take, rest (Vines Complete Expository Dictionary). Whatever they did, helped Paul to take a deep breath from his labors in building the Kingdom of God. Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, are not known for accomplishing some great feat, instead their names are mentioned in the Bible because they brought refreshing, rest, and encouragement to other believers.

This past Sunday I talked about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how God had distributed one or more spiritual gifts to "each one, any believer, all believers" (1 Cor 12:7). These gifts were given to us so we can give them away to others. A spiritual gift is a divine influence on the human heart that enables us to give to and bless others.

As with Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, let me encourage each one of us to consider what spiritual gifts God has given to us and how we might use them to bless and refresh others.

God gave to us so we can give to others.