<p>1:24 <i>Not that we have lordship over your faith but are helpers of your joy. For in faith you must stand fast</i>- Nobody, not even faithful brethren, can have dominion over our faith; by our <i>own</i> faith we stand (2 Cor. 1:24, filling in the ellipsis). Solomon exhorts his son to get wisdom, for &ldquo;if thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it&quot; (Prov. 9:12). The understanding of God we gain from His word, and the result of rejecting it, is so intensely personal. &quot;Helpers&quot; translates <i>sunergos</i>, a co-worker. As so often noted, the salvation of the Corinthians was related to Paul's own salvation. His joy at the last day would be their joy- if indeed they were accepted. And yet despite this close inter-relationship, it was by their own faith that they would stand acceptable before the Lord at the last day.</p>