Stephanas and his household belonged to a small group of Corinthians who had been baptized by Paul himself (1 Corinthians 1:14–16). Here Paul refers to them as the first converts in Achaia.
Literally he writes that they are firstfruits of Achaia.
The image of firstfruits
was also used in 1 Corinthians 15:20 and 1 Corinthians 15:23. There, as here, it indicated a promising beginning that was given by God and that signified that more was on the way.
In the absence of formally appointed elders (see comments under 1 Corinthians 5:3), the household of Stephanas have devoted (or appointed
) themselves as leaders in the church. Paul describes their leadership in a positive way, as service of the saints
(saints
being a description of all the church members).
15 Now I urge you, brothers you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints