This command contains two elements. One, when problems and conflicts arise in the church--deal with them. Two, when problems have to be resolved, don't involve outsiders. As much as possible keep them in the church.

Paul wrote these words to sum up the 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians in which he had been setting forth guidelines for the use and operation of the spiritual gifts.

At first read, this command seems so obvious as to be unnecessary. Who would choose to use a gift unwisely?

It is occasionally easy to read Paul's words about the "weak on faith" from the self-aggrandizing perspective of my maturity.

Encouragement is personal. This command clearly comes as a corollary to building up the body of Christ. It is not limited, however, to our relationships with Christians or a church environment. We are exhorted to encourage all men, all women, all children, in all circumstances. This is a 24/7 command.

The analogy of building is used throughout Scripture as symbolic of spiritual growth and development. It is an especially apt image with respect to the church.

Christian teaching is built on maturity not celebrity. Gray hair not star power is the guide for leadership in the church.

The "young prodigy" and "famous star" syndromes represent constant temptations for modern Christendom, especially in an era of worldwide entertainment and media exposure.

We climax this series of commands to build mature beliefs (Hebrews 6:1: Let us...go on to maturity) with an exhortation that expands maturity out of the merely personal.

The two "D's" we considered earlier are intrinsically linked--Discernment and Deception. Obviously they are opposites. It is discernment that guards against deception.