Paul
the apostle told the Corinthian church members they were “full”
and “rich”
and they “reigned as kings without”
he and his companions. Paul went on to say that he “would
to God”
they “did reign”
so that he and his companions “might
reign with”
them. In chapter four and verse nine of
First Corinthians, Paul told the church members in Corinth,
“God
has set forth us the apostles last”
where we read:
For I
think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were
appointed to death:
for
we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
The
verse begins, “For
I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were
appointed to death:” Paul
began with the word, “For” which
means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and
therefore” “I think”
or “Paul supposed, was of the opinion, accounted and reputed”
“that God”
which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised
of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “has
set forth”
which means “declared, shown, proved and demonstrated” “us
the apostles”
or “Paul and his companions as delegates, messengers and ones sent
forth” “last”
which means “the uttermost, lowest and extreme”, “as
it were appointed to death”
or “doomed to death”. Paul believed God “declared” he and
“the apostles”
in “the lowest place” “destined or doomed to die” in their
positions.
The
verse continues, “for
we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”
Paul added
the word, “for” which
means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and
therefore” “we are made” or
“Paul and his companions become, happen, arise and appear” “a
spectacle”
which means “a theatre, a place which games and dramatic
presentations are made or a public show” “unto
the world”
which means “the inhabitants of the earth, men and the human
family”, “and to angels”
who are “messengers and envoys from God”, “and
to men”
which refers to “human beings whether male or female”. Paul and
his companions were made as a “public display” to the people of
the world, the “messengers” from God and men.
When we meditate upon
these words from Paul, we see humility demonstrated in him once
again. Rather than exalting himself, Paul shared how he and his
companions were put “in last place” as though they were “destined
to die” for their work in the “gospel”.
They were put on “public display” for people in the world and the
“angels from God” to watch and observe. Jesus Christ never
promised life would be easy when we follow Him. In fact he said,
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me
you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be
of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Regardless of how the “world” sees us, we should be about
the business of the “gospel of Jesus Christ”, and as we
encounter adversity and “last place”, let us remember, God has
the eternal things in mind.
Next
time Paul shares how he and his companions “are
fools for Christ's sake”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment