<p>16:13 <i>Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong</i>- These are all military metaphors. Keeping awake, standing still as if on parade, fight as true men, be strengthened. But these metaphors are purposefully juxtaposed with doing all things in love (:14). The true manliness, the real bravery and strength- was to live in love. &quot;Be strong&quot; is literally 'be strengthened / empowered'. This has been the whole theme of the letter- they had been given the Spirit, but were refusing to let it work and empower them. The same word is used in Eph. 3:16: &quot;<i>Be strengthened </i>with power through His Spirit in the inner man&quot;. This refers to the internal gift of the Spirit &quot;in the inner man&quot; which is available to this day.</p>