Milo

OCTOBER 15

Reading 288

SERVANTS OF JESUS 1 Corinthians 2–4

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned each his task” (1 Cor. 3:5).Only servants” is good for leaders to remember. And followers too.

Overview

In Corinth, Paul depended on God’s Spirit (2:1–5), who makes the wisdom of God’s message plain to believers (vv. 6–16). Divisions showed the Corinthians were still spiritual infants (3:1–4): the mature would realize leaders were merely servants of God and of the church (vv. 5–17). “Boasting about men” is worldly foolishness (vv. 18–23). So honor all God’s servants—including Paul!—(4:1–13) and respond to instruction (vv. 14–21).

Understanding the Text

“I came to you in weakness and fear” 1 Cor. 2:1–5. My son Tim gave his first “devotional” the other night. He doesn’t enjoy speaking, and was a little more than nervous. I suspect most of us feel “weakness and fear” when opportunities to minister come. But did you realize this puts us right there beside the Apostle Paul? What’s most important, of course, is to remember that our impact doesn’t rest on our brilliant or persuasive presentation, but on the Spirit’s power. We may have Paul’s fears. But we also have the Spirit who made his ministry so effective. “God’s secret wisdom” 1 Cor. 2:6–10. The “wisdom of this age” relies on human senses to gather information, and the “rulers of this age” rely on the human intellect to put the gathered data together. “Rulers” was used by Paul of both religious and secular leaders, none of whom understood what they were doing when they crucified Jesus. The human senses (the eye and ear of v. 9) and intellect (the mind of v. 9) simply cannot grasp what God is doing in the world. Paul offered proof. If human beings had the barest notion of what God was about, they would never have crucified Jesus. So don’t be overwhelmed by the eloquent or the intellectual of this world. And don’t let them make you feel impotent. You know the “secret wisdom” of God. “Expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words” 1 Cor. 2:13–14. Translators have struggled with the meaning of the Greek word synkrinontes, translated “expressing” in the NIV. It’s better to take it as “bringing together.” The Holy Spirit, who inspired the words of Scripture, lives in us, and enables us to accept and apply spiritual truth. He “brings together” the words and their meaning in ways that those without the Spirit simply cannot grasp. For they do not “accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him” (v. 14). I remember going once to a general assembly meeting of the United Nations in New York. Each seat had its earphones, with several channels. A speaker could use his own language, and if I turned to the English language channel, I could hear a running translation. This is what Paul was saying here. Scripture speaks a language that is foreign to humankind. Only a person with the Spirit, God’s translator, can understand what is really being said. When you read Scripture, be sure to ask God’s Spirit to “bring together” its meaning for your life. “The spiritual man makes judgments” 1 Cor. 2:15–16. The word for “makes judgment” is anakrino. It is used 10 times in 1 Corinthians, and means to examine, scrutinize, to investigate. The Scripture gives us an objective standard by which to evaluate “all things.” But even more, the Holy Spirit confirms, and communicates to us the very “mind of Christ.” Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Paul was concerned here with doctrinal systems or theological speculation. This verse does not guarantee that spiritual people will dot every theological “i” and cross every doctrinal “t” the same way. What Paul meant is that as you live your life all you need is Scripture and the Spirit to make wise and godly choices. In the Spirit you have access to the very “mind of Christ,” and can know God’s will! Don’t waver back and forth with every breeze of well-intended advice. Listen. But rely on the Spirit to show you what the Lord wants you to do. “Mere infants in Christ” 1 Cor. 3:1–9. Even a child knows what infants are like. They’re those tiny people who cry and scream, who kick their arms and legs without going anywhere, and who mess their diapers. No, it’s not hard to tell a baby when you see—or hear—one. It’s the same spiritually. There’s one unmistakable sign of spiritual babyhood: worldliness. Thinking, and behaving, just like the people of this world who lack the Spirit (v. 3). Here adulation of leaders, and the “jealousy and quarreling among you,” are characteristic of the way “mere men” think and act. How utterly foolish to exalt those who are “only servants,” when God is the source of all spiritual growth, no matter who ministers (v. 6). And then, to quarrel over which leader is better. Watch out for spiritual babies. As they kick and yell, they all too often bruise folks who come too near. And some spiritual babies never grow up. “His work will be shown for what it is” 1 Cor. 3:10–15. True servants of God aren’t motivated by adulation or a large following. They honestly want to build Christ’s church. And they build on the one true foundation, Jesus Christ. They keep the focus of their followers on Jesus, not on themselves. Not even on their vision of a Christian Disneyland, or of the largest church building in the U.S., or of the biggest radio or TV following. Paul knew that his accomplishments would be evaluated one day on just this basis. Was he working to promote Jesus or himself? When Judgment Day comes, the “quality of each man’s work” will be revealed (v. 13). Knowing this, what do we care how other people evaluate our service for Jesus? What do we care even for “success,” or the praise of others? The only true success is in serving Jesus and His people well. The only reward we seek is Christ’s, when our service for Him is judged at the last day (v. 13). “You yourselves are God’s temple” 1 Cor. 3:16–17. The Corinthians thought of leaders as the really important folks in the church, and argued, with a tad too much enthusiasm, over which leader was best. That was foolish because, as Paul had said, leaders are only servants of Christ. God is the source of all spiritual growth and accomplishment, whichever leader He may work through. So focus on God, not your leader. There’s another reason the Corinthians were foolish. Paul said, “You yourselves are God’s temple and . . . God’s Spirit dwells in you” (v. 16). Who is really important? The temple of God? Or the servant who mops, polishes, and works to beautify it? Next time you’re tempted to glorify some human leader, picture him with a rag and polish. And picture yourself as a beautiful golden panel that leader has been assigned to polish. Honor him or her for the work. But remember that his job is to bring out the beauty in you, to the glory of God. “So then, no more boasting about men!” 1 Cor. 3:18–23 What’s left to boast about if we can’t tell others how interesting our preacher is? Or how beautifully our choir sings. How aesthetically the building is designed. How worshipful the atmosphere when the organ begins to play. How active our young people’s group. How dedicated to service the women’s club. Paul had a suggestion. Remember that “all things are yours” in Jesus Christ. Because you are His, and He is yours, glory in this world, life, death, the present, the future—are all within your grasp. So if you feel like boasting, boast about Jesus. Boast about your pastor, someone might come to hear him, and be impressed. Boast about your church building, someone might come to see, and compliment you. Boast about Jesus, and someone might realize his need, and be saved. “I do not even judge myself” 1 Cor. 4:1–5. Paul honestly didn’t care if the Corinthians “cross-examined” him. The image is of a preliminary hearing, held before a legal case goes to court. What human beings say is irrelevant. God was the sole Judge of Paul’s motives and ministry. To drive his point home, Paul said he did not even “cross-examine” himself. He didn’t agonize over his motives, or pry into every dark recess of his mind to find out if his service was totally pure. Paul wasn’t competent even to judge his own motives. How could he be critical of others? Paul had drawn two conclusions from the fact that Jesus will one day judge His own servants. Each promotes our mental and spiritual health. We don’t judge others, and thus are freed from a critical spirit. We don’t judge ourselves, and thus are freed from constant, agonizing self-doubt. Accept Paul’s conclusions, and get rid of both these weights. They simply drag you down. Then get on with serving Jesus and others with enthusiasm and joy. “What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Cor. 4:6–7 Don’t you love the arrogance of the “self-made man”? “I did it all myself,” he says. “I worked three jobs for two years. Then I saw an opportunity, took the risk, and now I’m a multimillionaire.” Of course, God gave him the health he needed to work three jobs. And the sharp mind, able to see the opportunity. And God saw that he was born in a country where a person could take risks, and succeed. But, other than the fact that every ability the self-made man used was a gift from God, he did it “all himself.” Paul wasn’t trying here to steal credit from those who use their God-given abilities. He was just reminding arrogant Christians that it’s God who “makes you different from anyone else.” Anything we have we received as His gift. In that case, “Why do you boast as though you did not” receive it? Pride is one of the most unspiritual attitudes of all. It reveals a total failure to credit God as the source of all our accomplishments. “Already you have become rich!” 1 Cor. 4:8–21 Quarreling over leaders in Corinth was an expression of pride. The parties didn’t really care whether Apollos or Cephas or Paul were superior leaders. They wanted to feel superior, so they claimed to follow the more polished and powerful preacher! Paul contrasted his own way of life with theirs in verses 8–13. The Corinthian Christians (in their own eyes) were rich, self-satisfied, wise, strong, honored. Paul was viewed by the whole world as a poor fool, poverty-stricken, weak, dishonored. Paul didn’t drive his point home. But he might have. Even the unspiritual Corinthians had to realize that in service to Christ, Paul towered above them all. They even owed their faith to the apostle, who “became your father through the Gospel.” As a first-century father had the right to set the pattern for his sons’ way of life, Paul urged his spiritual children to discard their pride, grow out of spiritual infancy, and “imitate me” (v. 16). We all imitate others. Let’s be wise in the choice of those we choose as our examples.

DEVOTIONALA

Popgun for Christmas?(1 Cor. 4)

I wanted a BB gun so badly. I was only six or seven. When Grandpa Zeluff grinned, and showed me the gun-shaped package under the Christmas tree, I was so excited I could hardly wait. Everyone seemed to smile at me as the presents were passed out, one by one, till only that gun-shaped present remained. Then I had it in my hands! I tore off the paper—and almost burst into tears. It was a popgun. A toy for a toddler. It didn’t shoot BBs. It fired a cork, all of two to three feet. I choked out a “thank-you” to Grandpa Zeluff, and went outside. And then I did cry. I suspect that many Christians have looked under the Christmas tree and seen a Christ-shaped package. They’ve opened it with great excitement, but somehow the power they expected to find just hasn’t been there. In their life, Jesus has seemed about as effective as that popgun of mine, able only to poof out a cork or two. Why? Why should our faith fizzle, and become a popgun experience? In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul gave a number of reasons. First, we get sidetracked (vv. 1–7). We either criticize or rely on ourselves and our leaders, forgetting that the source of all success and the focus of our faith is God. Try relying on mere men for a while—on any mere man—and your faith will never generate more than popgun power. Second, we get comfortable (vv. 8–17). We assume that Christianity is a matter of soft pews, dressing up on Sundays, and maintaining the respect of outsiders. We forget that the Apostles, who displayed dynamic spiritual power, saw Christianity as a calling to selfless service. Paul suffered to serve others. Concentrate on comfort rather than service, and you have all the popgun power of a popgun religion. Finally, we get arrogant. We know the right words, and we treat Christianity as if it were just a matter of words rather than a matter of living as citizens of a heavenly kingdom. When faith is a matter of talk rather than a daily walk with Jesus, the power simply is not there. I wept when I got my popgun that Christmas. What a disappointment. But how much more terrible to become a Christian expecting to experience God’s power, and then to settle for a popgun religion. You don’t need to. Keep your focus on Jesus. Concentrate on service. And walk daily with the Lord.

Personal Application

Find out for yourself that the kingdom of God is a matter of power.

Quotable

“Shortly before Christmas, John Sung [later the great evangelist of China] accompanied some fellow students to a special evangelistic campaign at the First Baptist Church. He expected to hear Dr. Haldeman, an eloquent and learned preacher, but instead, the speaker was a 15-year-old girl! She spoke simply and yet powerfully. The proud, skeptical heart of the Ph.D. scientist was moved to the depths. He determined to discover for himself the secret of such spiritual power. He began reading Christian biographies ‘to investigate the secret of the effective ministry of great Christians of the past’ and ‘soon discovered that in each case it was the power of the Holy Spirit that made the difference.’ Turning down opportunities to teach science in America and China, he decided rather to give his life to preaching the Gospel.”—John T. Seamands

1 Corinthians

OCTOBER 14

Reading 287

THE DIVIDED CHURCH 1 Corinthians 1

“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Cor. 1:10).Divisiveness denies the truth that Christ’s church is one.

Overview

Paul expressed thanks for his Corinthian brethren (1:1–9), but warned against divisions within the church (vv. 10–17) which reflect human foolishness rather than the wisdom of the Cross (vv. 18–31).

Understanding the Text

“Sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy” 1 Cor. 1:1–3. Paul wished the very best for his readers: “Grace and peace to you from God” (v. 3). But he reminded them and us that to experience God’s best, we must become what we are. What are we? We are persons “sanctified in Christ Jesus.” The word sanctified means “set apart to God.” In Old Testament times sanctified persons, places, and things were never used for profane or ordinary purposes. They could only be used in God’s service. The sanctuary table dedicated to God held loaves of bread. But not even the priests of Israel could put a meal on that table, pull up their chairs, and eat from it. Paul said the Corinthians, “together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus,” are “sanctified in Christ Jesus.” Jesus has set us apart to be God’s own, and God’s only. As God’s people now, we are to live holy lives, not ordinary ones. That’s why it is so important for believers to solve the kind of problems that emerged in the Corinthian church. Only as we live the holy life fitting for those sanctified by Jesus will we glorify God or experience His grace and peace. “You have been enriched in every way” 1 Cor. 1:4–9. The Corinthian church had problems. But it had matchless resources too. Sometimes you and I focus so much on our problems that we forget the spiritual reserves that God has provided for us. What resources did Paul remind us of? We have God’s grace to enrich us, for it was poured out on us when we responded to the message about Jesus (vv. 4–5). We have spiritual gifts to enable us to grow and serve (v. 7). We have Christ’s commitment to encourage us, for we know that He will keep us strong and safe until He returns (v. 8). We have God’s faithfulness to ensure that none of these resources will be taken from us (v. 9). It’s all too easy for us to focus on our problems, and be overwhelmed. What God wants us to do is focus on His resources, and overcome! (See DEVOTIONAL.) “Agree with one another” 1 Cor. 1:10–12. This earnest appeal for outward harmony is matched in verse 10 by an appeal for inward unity of “mind and thought.” The divisions Paul spoke of are schismata, cracks that have appeared in the walls of the church, and threaten to cause the building to tumble. Paul wasn’t asking the Corinthians to plaster over the cracks by pretending to agree. He was asking everyone in Corinth to consider the issues carefully, so that there could be a real rather than false unity in the local body. Plastering over differences never resolves them. Only when we face common problems together, determined to find a basis for unity, will things get better. This is true in the church. It’s true in the family. It’s true in all of life. “Quarrels among you” 1 Cor. 1:11–12. Some folks get upset over the fact that Christendom has so many different denominations. “See!” they shout as they point to these verses in 1 Corinthians. “It’s wrong for believers to say, ‘I’m a Presbyterian,’ or ‘I’m a Baptist.’ There should only be one grand Christian church, with no divisions.” But Paul here was dealing with quarrels. He was dealing with factions that not only competed, but were actively hostile to each other. The believers who made up the “party of Paul” and those in the “party of Apollos” fought and argued over who was best, right, and most Christian. All Christian communities in first-century cities divided up and met in a number of different house-churches. Paul doesn’t hesitate to identify one such congregation as folks “from Chloe’s household” (v. 11). I don’t expect he’d have any serious problem identifying modern Christians as folks “from the Baptist Church on 5th and Main,” or from the “Presbyterian Church on Little Road.” So lets not make too much of such distinctions. Let’s remember that Baptist or Presbyterian, Christ’s church is one church. But, if the Baptists and Presbyterians start to quarrel over which group is right, or who are the best Christians, then we need to be concerned. “Is Christ divided?” 1 Cor. 1:13–16 The basis for Christian unity is Jesus, who died for all who believe. Our union is with Jesus, and He is the source of our identity. One of my wife’s girlhood friends, a devout Catholic Christian, says bluntly that she is a Christian and a Catholic, but that she’s a Catholic first. I appreciate her loyalty to her church as well as her sincere dedication to the Lord. But her approach to faith is too much like that of those in Corinth, whose allegiance to Paul or Peter or Apollos drove them to debate. In truth, our allegiance is to Jesus, and is not divided. He is One, and because He is the Head of every believer, the church is one. My friend Bob Girard put it best when he moved to the Verde Valley in Arizona and wrote on the visitor’s card his first Sunday in a new church. Where the card asked, Would you like to become a member of this church? Bob wrote, “I already am a member of the body of Christ. So naturally I want to become involved in any way I can with my brothers and sisters here.” If we nurture this attitude, the church of Jesus, which is one, will be one here on earth. “Words of human wisdom” 1 Cor. 1:17–24. The word “wisdom” is one of the most significant words in Scripture. In both Testaments it involves the application of knowledge to guide daily life. The “wise” must have truth, and be able to apply it. Mere human wisdom breaks down at both these points. Though all have smatterings of truth, human cultures and societies are flooded with lies and half-truths. And human wisdom is unable to either separate truth from fiction, or to correctly apply truth even when it is discerned. Paul offered proof. When the message of the Cross is proclaimed, how does the self-proclaimed “wise man” respond? Those with roots in Jewish culture insisted on miracles to prove it. Those with roots in Greek culture insisted that it be “intellectually respectable.” Neither realized that the preaching of the Cross is “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (v. 24). Why this critique of wisdom here? Because those who quarreled over which splinter group of Christians was closer to God were relying on mere human wisdom. They marshalled their arguments, completely missing the central fact that in Christianity everything must be related to Christ. Don’t be surprised if non-Christians laugh at our faith. Carl Sagan publicly ridicules Creation. Ted Turner scoffed at the Cross in a speech to media executives. But never mind. “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (v. 20) Never mind. Just don’t go taking a worldly approach to solving problems in Christ’s church! “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” 1 Cor. 1:26–31. The intelligentsia and the wealthy and the politically powerful are the shakers and movers in human society. They’re the people who count: the people to see if you want to get something done. But, Paul pointed out, their intelligence, wealth, and power were absolutely useless when it came to winning salvation. To bring salvation to the world God’s Son became a poor Man, a Carpenter. He lived in a backward corner of the world, died a criminal’s death, and even after His resurrection there were “not many . . . wise . . . not many were influential . . . not many were of noble birth” who responded to the Gospel’s Good News. It follows that we Christians have nothing of which to boast, except of Jesus. Jesus Himself is our righteousness, our holiness, and our redemption. What a rebuke for those who quarreled over mere human leaders. They not only argued like men of the world, they turned away from Jesus. Jesus is the unifying center of our Christian faith. As we contemplate Jesus, we are so humbled that boasting in some supposed superiority of our little group seems to be the foolishness it is.

DEVOTIONAL

Out, Damned Spot(1 Cor. 1:4–17)

Shakespeare portrays Lady MacBeth, a conspirator in the murder of her king, compulsively washing her hands again and again. She feels that a spot of the king’s blood has been splashed on her hand, and it rivets her attention. Often we Christians respond a little like Lady MacBeth when we discover problems in our church or home. We almost compulsively focus on the problem, talking about it constantly, going over each detail again and again. Like the dear lady, we feel deep frustration, and the more we talk, the more serious the problem appears. I’m not suggesting that you or I should avoid facing problems. Not at all. We should look honestly at things that need to be corrected, in our personal lives, in our families, and in our churches. But we should look at them positively. We should look at them confidently, in the full assurance that we can resolve them successfully. In his Letter to the Corinthians Paul expressed confidence before he even mentioned the first problem. The Corinthians had been enriched by God’s grace (vv. 4–6). They had been enabled with a full complement of spiritual gifts (v. 7). They had been strengthened by fellowship with Jesus Christ (vv. 8–9). Because of these matchless resources Paul was sure that the Corinthians could face and overcome their many problems. Think about it. Only after the Corinthians had been reminded of their resources in Christ (vv. 4–9), did Paul go on to discuss the problem (vv. 10–17). What a pattern for us to follow. Let’s count up our spiritual assets in Christ. Then let’s face our problems honestly, in the complete confidence that together we can resolve them in His strength.

Personal Application

Looking to Jesus first gives perspective on our problems.

Quotable

“It is called the community of the saints because they have fellowship in holy things, yea, in those things whereby they are sanctified, that is in the Father and the Son, who Himself sanctifieth them with all that He had given them. Thus everything serveth to the betterment and building up of one’s neighbor and to the praise and glory of God the Father.”—Menno Simmons

1 Corinthians

INTRODUCTION

Paul wrote his letter to Christians in the wealthy seaport city of Corinth in A.D. 55, some four years after he founded the church there. After Paul left, a number of problems developed in the church, and the Corinthians sent for advice. So 1 Corinthians is a practical, problem-solving letter. In it Paul explains how Christians are to deal with many issues, including divisions, immorality, and doctrinal disputes. Paul’s letter gives us fascinating insights into difficulties first-century congregations faced as they tried to live out their lives in Christ. First Corinthians remains one of the New Testament’s most valuable letters. The principles Paul developed here serve as trustworthy guides to resolving interpersonal problems in today’s church.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I.	Introduction	1 Cor. 1:1–9
II.	Divisions in the Church	1 Cor. 1:10–4:21
III.	Discipline of the Immoral	1 Cor. 5–6
IV.	Divorce and Marriage	1 Cor. 7
V.	Doctrinal Disputes	1 Cor. 8:1–11:1
VI.	Conducting Worship	1 Cor. 11:2–34
VII.	Defining Spirituality	1 Cor. 12–14
VIII.	Understanding Resurrection	1 Cor. 15
IX.	Conclusion	1 Cor. 16

OCTOBER 13

Reading 286

SISTERS AND BROTHERS Romans 16

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea” (Rom. 16:1).Lists of names mean little to us. But each name represents a person who is important to God.

Overview

Paul closed with personal greetings to close friends in Rome (16:1–16), with an exhortation (vv. 17–20), and with greetings from fellow workers who were with him (vv. 21–23). And he capped it all with praise to God (vv. 24–27).

Understanding the Text

“Greet” Rom. 16:3–16. The Bible’s penchant for including long lists of names sometimes irritates readers. But there are always reasons. In the Old Testament, most listings of names are genealogical: they display the faithfulness of God to the people of Israel, with whom He maintained a covenant relationship over long and often stormy centuries. Those lists of names establish not only the identity of the people of God, but His faithfulness. Here in Romans 16 is a list of names that has another purpose. It displays something of the network of warm and loving relationships which bound the early church together. Paul was not just a theologian, he was a friend. He did not just count up converts, he cared for people as individuals. So let’s not be put off by the list of names here. Let it remind us that in the eyes of God and in the church of Jesus, each person is important enough to be known by name. “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea” Rom. 16:1. The way translators have handled this verse makes Christian feminists see red. That word “servant” in the Greek is diakonos. More than one commentator has noted that the use of this form, rather than diakoneo or diakonia, suggests something more than casual service. It’s likely that Phoebe held the leadership position of a deacon in her congregation, though at the time Romans was written it’s impossible to say what this position involved. I can understand why some Christian women are eager for Phoebe to gain greater recognition. The ministry of women hasn’t been overly welcomed in the church. But probably the highest honor we can do Phoebe or any other believer is to note, as Paul does, that “she has been a great help to many people, including me.” After all, this is what our faith is all about. Not the office we may hold. But the help we can be to each other as we seek together to follow Jesus Christ. “Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus” Rom. 16:3–4. It should give those folks who think of Paul as a male chauvinist a moment’s pause at least. The first two folks that Paul mentioned in this greeting section of Romans 16 are women. And Priscilla was mentioned even before her husband, Aquila. Both Priscilla and Aquila are acknowledged as Paul’s “fellow workers,” even as Phoebe was acknowledged as a church deacon. While Phoebe’s ministry of help seems focused in her local house church, the word sunergos, “fellow worker,” suggests this couple shared Paul’s commission to serve as missionary evangelists. There really is a place for women. At home. And abroad. In local churches. And in missions. “Outstanding among the apostles” Rom. 16:7. The word “apostle” is used in a restrictive sense when applied to any of the Twelve and to Paul. These men were the divinely commissioned leaders of the church, and spoke with a unique authority. But many others earned the title “apostle,” among them Andronicus and Junias. After all, the word “apostle” literally means one who is sent on a mission. Paul’s word about these relatives who were “outstanding among the apostles” reminds us that early Christians felt the missionary call to share their faith with others in the Roman world. Don’t ever suppose that Paul and his little team of missionaries was responsible for the explosive spread of the Gospel in the first century. They didn’t do it alone! Nor today can the Christian’s commission to spread the Gospel be fulfilled by a few “full-time” missionaries. Let’s be sure that we are numbered “among the apostles.” Let’s even try to be outstanding. “Ampliatus. . . . Urbanus . . . Stachys” Rom. 16:8–9. What was the church in Rome like? One hint comes from the names Paul mentioned in Romans 16. These names, for instance, along with many of the others, were most common among slaves, freedmen, and freed-women in Roman society. It’s quite clear that the church in Rome was not an upper crust phenomenon. The Christians there were mostly ordinary folk, and probably drawn from the lower strata of Roman society. But notice how Paul spoke of “low class” Roman believers. Ampliatus was one “whom I love in the Lord.” Urbanus was “our fellow worker in Christ.” Stachys was “my dear friend.” We can feel the love overflow as Paul wrote, surrounding each person with affection. Class isn’t to matter in Christ’s church. It surely didn’t matter to Paul. He loved these men and women for their own sakes, and because they were deeply loved by Jesus Christ. In this too let’s follow Paul’s example. Let’s love people for themselves, not their positions. And let’s let them know how much. “Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord” Rom. 16:12. In another two generations Clement of Rome would report rulings severely restricting women’s roles in church leadership. His words, in 1 Clement 20:7, are sometimes quoted to support modern restrictions on female participation in leadership in our own local churches. Whatever authority one may wish to concede to Clement, it must be significant that the Apostle Paul in this listing credits four women with significant service in their own congregations (Mary, Tryphena and Tryphosa, and Persis). In fact, he says this of four women and no men at least on this list. In making this observation, I am not mounting a campaign for women’s ordination, or claiming female superiority in local church leadership. I’m simply pointing out what the text says. And suggesting that perhaps—just perhaps—Clement of Rome overreacted to the freedom first- generation Christian women found through the Gospel to use their gifts in Christ’s church. Perhaps—just perhaps—some men today have overreacted too. “Watch out for those who cause divisions” Rom. 16:17–19. If we are truly devoted to one another, there will be unity in Christ’s church. That bond that Paul himself displayed with those now in Rome that he had come to know and love holds us together in intimate fellowship. But beware if devotion flags, and the church becomes an impersonal gathering of strangers. Then the door is thrown open wide for “those who cause divisions.” Their smooth talk and flattery is designed to deceive. They want to build their own little kingdom, with their own handful of followers. They are not serving Jesus, but their own pride, or need for adulation. Paul had a simple prescription to deal with such people. Half of it is stated in verse 17: “Keep away from them.” The other half is implied in his letter as a whole, and in the first 16 verses of this chapter: “Grow close to your brothers and sisters in the Lord. If you come to know the people in your local church family well, and if you love them deeply, then no smooth-talking stranger will be able to shatter the unity that Christ gives.” “Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works” Rom. 16:23. I once worked for a Christian organization whose chapels one year featured Christian “success stories.” The wealthy and respected of our community trooped one by one to the chapel pulpit, and each told how faith in Christ contributed to his rise. How I wished we’d find some poor, uneducated failure, who could tell us how faith in Jesus sustained him in his rush toward ruin. It didn’t happen of course. We get so excited over the converted movie star, the reformed criminal, the Miss World. Apparently the NIV translators share that failing, for Erastus the oikonomos may well have been a financial officer in the Corinthian government, but there’s no way today to tell how high a rank he held. Was he really the “director of public works”? Well, maybe. But not likely. Anyway, it really doesn’t matter, does it? As James so wisely says, “The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position [in Christ]. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position [as a mere sinner saved by grace]” (James 1:9–10). What really counts about Erastus wasn’t his position in the Corinthian hierarchy. All that really counts is, he was one of Jesus’ own. And so are you.

DEVOTIONAL

I Love a Mystery(Rom. 16:25–27)

It was one of my favorite radio programs. I can hear the announcer now, his voice quavering with feigned excitement: “And now” (he’d begin, in hushed tones), “I” (pause), “Love” (a little louder) “A MYSTERY!” I’d hurry into our little living room, flop down on my stomach in front of the radio, intent and ready to hear the next fascinating chapter in the current adventure. Paul loved a mystery too. No, not the imaginary adventure of my radio days. The biblical mystery of Jesus Christ. In Scripture “mystery” is a technical theological term. It identifies some previously hidden or only hinted at facet of God’s eternal plan, which has only recently been revealed. Christ, Paul realized with wonder, is the greatest of all the mysteries of God. How could God forgive the sins of past saints? How could God not simply declare human beings righteous in His sight, but actually make them righteous? How could God, committed as He was to the Jews, open wide His arms to the Gentiles too? How could Jew and Gentile ever find common ground, enabling the race to be drawn back together into one? How could God’s love for all the human race be so stunningly displayed that hardened sinners would suddenly halt, reconsider, and kneel, broken, before God? These and all of history’s unanswered questions are, for Paul, answered in Jesus Christ. He is the mystery hidden for long ages past. He is the One glimpsed in prophetic writings. He is the One who has come and stands fully revealed today that all nations might believe and obey Him. He is the One who has at last enabled us to sense not only the love but also the wisdom of God. He is the One through whom God receives glory, forever and ever. Christians can differ honestly about many doctrines. They can dispute about practices. But on one thing we all agree. We all love the One whose coming explained the mystery of God’s plan, and revealed once and for all the full extent of His mysterious, wonderful love.

Personal Application

To see clearly, look at everything through Jesus Christ.

Quotable

“A God on the cross! That is all my theology.”—Jean LaCordaire

OCTOBER 12

Reading 285

ONE HEART AND MOUTH Romans 15

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 15:5–6).How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” (Ps. 133:1)

Overview

Christ modeled an attitude which leads to unity and glorifies God (15:1–6). Christ’s acceptance of us sets the pattern for all believers’ relationships with each other, and opens the door to joy and peace (vv. 7–13). As for Paul, he found fulfillment in serving God (vv. 14–22), and hoped soon to visit Rome (vv. 23–29). He urged the Romans to pray with and for him (vv. 30–33).

Understanding the Text

“Bear with . . . and not to please ourselves” Rom. 15:1–7. These verses belong with chapter 14. Paul had shown that in “disputable matters” each Christian must accept responsibility for his own convictions, and give others the same freedom to be responsible to Christ as Lord. Matters not clearly defined as sin in Scripture are disputable, but not debatable. Now Paul reminds us of the attitude we must have if the unity of the body of Christ is to be preserved. It’s never enough to just leave others alone. “Do what you think is best,” we may say. But what we may mean is, “Don’t bother me. I don’t really care what you do.” That’s not what it means to let Christ be Lord in another believer’s life. Paul says we “bear with” the “failings of the weak.” For Jesus’ sake, and for the sake of our fellow believer, we “please [our] neighbor for his good, to build him up.” We live to serve, even as Jesus lived, and died, to serve us. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you in order to bring praise to God” Rom. 15:7. Here’s that word again. “Accept.” In Romans 14 we saw that it means to welcome: to open our arms and hearts to each other. To value the individual so much that he or she experiences warmth and belonging. Here Paul shows us the standard by which acceptance is to be measured. We are to welcome others as Christ has welcomed us. Did Jesus open His heart to us because we were such beautiful people? Because we had so much to offer to the group? Because we were well dressed, or wealthy? No, Jesus opened His heart and welcomed us when we were sinners, hostile toward God, clothed in the filthy rags of our own pretentions of righteousness, without a cent of heavenly currency. Jesus accepted us freely, with no preconditions, and despite our flaws. That’s how you and I are to relate to others. As Jesus has related to us. And just as Jesus’ redeeming love has begun to transform our lives, so in the fellowship of a loving, accepting congregation, the sinful and the weak will also be transformed. “A servant . . . on behalf of God’s truth” Rom. 15:8–12. What is the truth that Jesus served so well? That God loves both Jew and Gentile. That He has been faithful in keeping His covenant promises to Israel, and at the same time has opened the door of salvation to the rest of humankind. The result of Jesus’ servanthood? He gathers up and brings all mankind’s praise to God. No less than five different Greek words for praise are used in three brief Old Testament quotes, reminding us how significant praise is in God’s sight. It reminds us of something else as well. Others may not appreciate what you do for them. That’s actually good! The goal of Christian servanthood isn’t to be praised. It is to gather up the praise of others and direct it toward God. When others are praising us, we intercept what really belongs to our Lord. “The God of hope” Rom. 15:13. This is the second of two very special descriptions of God in this chapter. Verse 5 portrays God as the “God who gives” (see DEVOTIONAL). Verse 13 pictures Him as “the God of hope.” “Hope” is a unique word in Scripture, where it indicates “confident expectation.” The person with hope has complete assurance about the future. And the overflow of the hope we have as we trust in God fills us with joy and peace. So give yourself up to serve. And let God fill you with that hope which overflows with joy and peace. “Competent to instruct one another” Rom. 15:14–20. There’s nothing that stunts spiritual growth quite so much as paternalism. That idea that big Daddy has to be there, or poor little you will be sure to make some horrible mistake or do something unutterably dumb. Paternalism is a terrible temptation to anyone in ministry. If big Pastor isn’t there, that small group Bible study will probably wander off into false doctrine. If big Preacher doesn’t preach, nothing of value will happen in the service. If big Reverend doesn’t do the counseling, how will those terribly messed up folks ever find the way out of their dilemma? Well, big Apostle Paul didn’t share that attitude at all! He’d said earlier, very plainly, that believers are united to Jesus and given the Holy Spirit (Rom. 6–8). He’d said that every believer has a gift that equips him or her to minister (Rom. 12). He’d shown that growth can take place when believers accept one another warmly, serve one another, and let Christ exercise His lordship in each life (Rom. 14–15). So Paul backed off, not only from paternalism, but from even the hint of paternalism! Paul wanted to visit Rome to enjoy “your company for a while” (v. 24). He wasn’t driven to visit Rome from the neurotic fear that the church there would go down the tubes without him. In fact, Paul was “convinced” that the church in Rome was “competent to instruct one another.” The Romans had the Word, the Holy Spirit, and each other. Paul would bring a blessing. In the last analysis any church grows because of its relationship with God, not with God’s servants. How desperately both pulpit and pew need to hear this word from Paul. The pulpit needs to rid itself of paternalistic attitudes and actions, and nurture ministry by the laity. The pew needs to stop mistaking God’s servant for God, and trust the Lord rather than the leader. “A contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem” Rom. 15:26–28. Judea was heavily dependent on income from the temple and from pilgrims who came to visit it. In time, as the little Christian community became more and more isolated from the rest of Judaism, Christians suffered more during times of depression or famine. One of Paul’s ministries was that of famine relief: raising funds from believers throughout the Gentile world to bring relief to the poor believers in Jerusalem. To Paul, who developed a theology of giving in 2 Corinthians 8–9, seeing to the material needs of those Jewish believers from which the church sprang was an obligation and a joy. Spiritual and material needs were not kept in separate compartments, as we sometimes do. Any known need of a believer was an opportunity to serve. How wonderful when we are able to see fulfilling our obligation to help one another as a joy and a priority. Paul was eager to go to Spain to open that land for the Gospel. But he saw no conflict in setting aside that mission for a time, to carry funds and food to those in need.

DEVOTIONAL

Giving Till It Hurts(Rom. 15:1–6)

I sometimes hear a “Talknet” host on our local 620 AM station, whose major premise is that people ought to live more selfish lives. “You are important,” he tells those who call in. “Think of yourself for once. Put you and your own needs first, because if you don’t, no one else will.” It’s a popular philosophy, and I’m sure there are folks who need to hear it. Folks who think of themselves as worthless, and so have lived doormat lives, walked on by petty tyrants from Mom and Dad to their own kids. But for mature Christians, confident of their value and worth in Christ, the “let’s live selfish lives” message is totally wrong. Paul even went so far as to say, “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” To our talk show host, Paul’s advice is utter nonsense. Even many Christians find it a little hard to swallow. We may very well think, “Why should I always have to be the one to give up what I want for the sake of someone else?” Many a time we think, “I’m tired of putting myself out for others, who don’t even appreciate what I do for them.” If you ever feel that way, that you’ve been giving till it hurts, remember this little phrase from Romans 15:5: “The God who gives.” What you and I give up in following Christ’s example of selflessness is nothing compared to what God gives us in return. He gives us endurance. Encouragement. And a “spirit of unity among yourselves.” When we give of ourselves to others, God gives us all the privilege of glorifying Him together with “one heart and mouth.” So next time you feel a little put upon, or unappreciated for the sacrifices you make for others, remember. God knows. And He gives you far more precious gifts in return than anything you have given up for Him.

Personal Application

It would be a privilege to follow Jesus’ example, even if there were no rewards.

Quotable

“My mind was faced with choosing between my pleasure and God’s, and since my mind saw the glaring inequality between the two, even in the slightest matter, I would be forced to choose what then seemed more pleasing to God.”—Anthony Mary Claret