Paul urged his somewhat unstable readers to be watchful regarding danger from inside as well as outside the church (cf. Acts 20:29-30). Most of the problems in this church evidently arose from within the congregation as a result of pagan influences. "Be on the alert" sometimes occurs with anticipation of the Lord"s coming, so that event may have been in Paul"s mind as well (e.g, Matthew 24:42). His readers should also stand firm in their trust in God and their commitment to His Word and will (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:58). Rather than acting like immature children they should behave as mature men (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:12). They should be strong in the Lord rather than weak in the faith (cf. Joshua 1:7-8). Above all, love should motivate and mark them (ch13). This was the greatest need of this church. These verses summarize what Paul expected of his readers in all that he wrote in this letter. [source][source][source]