…an apostle of Christ Jesus …
Summary: As we begin our study of Paul’s letter to Timothy, we are immediately confronted by a word that people argue over, even today. Clarifying what we mean by the word we choose helps resolve conflict and restore unity.
It is always helpful, when embarking on a discussion of any serious nature, to define terms.
If this sounds crazy, consider all the disagreement in the world today. How many arguments would evaporate like dew in the morning sun if we actually clarified what we are talking about?
Take the word “apostle,” for example.
Good people of faith, all believers in Jesus Christ, argue about whether or not there are still apostles in the world today. Could these arguments be resolved if we “defined terms?”
Let’s try!
For those who believe that there are no modern apostles, they seem to define the word “apostle” as meaning someone who was a contemporary of Jesus (Acts 1:21–22). Some believe that apostles had to be personally appointed by Jesus. For some, the question of authority is important. This is not a complete list of their arguments, but it covers some basics.
For argument’s sake, let’s designate these apostles with a capital “A” — Apostle.
Some people believe that apostles still exist. They argue that Scripture includes apostles as a role in church leadership (Ephesians 4:11–13) along with pastors and teachers. For these people, the word “apostle” refers to the concept of ambassador for Christ, literally someone who is “sent.”*
By this logic, all of us are potentially “apostles” — lower case “a.” The Great Commission famously quotes Jesus calling all believers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20). In effect, then, all believers who accept the Great Commission are “sent.”
So what are we to do?
Can we at least agree that the word “apostle” can be used in more than one way? After all, the Greek language uses our English word “love” in multiple ways.
For the purposes of this mediation and all those that follow, let’s agree that only those apostles who were chosen by Jesus personally, including Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), qualify as “Apostles” with a capital “A.”
For the rest, it seems reasonable to allow that there are still lowercase “a” apostles among us. These are people who are called by the Lord to serve in our modern world as ambassadors of his message for all of humanity.
Is that okay with you?
Application: Words can have multiple meanings.
Food for Thought: What does it mean when someone claims the authority to define the words you use?
*”G652 – apostolos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 5 Jan, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g652/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
What does it mean when someone claims the authority to define the words you use?
If someone claims the authority to define the words that are used then they control the conversation to fit an agenda. Usually too when someone claims the authority to define the words that are used, they are also trying to claim authority over the person they are talking to. The way I write that sounds bad, but it’s not necessarily bad. A teacher or instructor in class does claim the authority to define the words that are used, gaining that authority from a source, and using that authority towards the goal of educating. So motive and intention are an important part of defining words in the sense of today’s meditation.
I have a sibling that will literally try and “swap” my words sometimes when I talk to them. I’ll say a word and they will use a different word under their breath just loud enough for me to hear. What is really going on is our definition of grace. My definition of grace is unconditional forgiveness and mercy of sin or wrongdoing for those who repent. My sibling’s definition of grace is allowing for sin based on someones circumstances. So it makes for some interesting conversations sometimes. At least though we do have conversations and in doing so I am able to share my faith.
Proverbs 18:21
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 11:9
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
Proverbs 15:4
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Thank you, Chris!
What an interesting example of trying to control words! Thank you for sharing. I pray that your persistence in living God’s Grace results in blessings for both you and your sibling!
Good example CH.
It is late as I get to this, so I’ll keep my comment simple. It is extremely important to define our words and clarify what they mean for accurate communication. This also means that we need to listen to what others are saying as they define their words for accurate communication. We still may not necessarily agree, but at least accurate, respectful, God-honoring communication has taken place.
Thank you, Rich!
“I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” — John 17:23
I’m beginning to believe that what Jesus was talking about is not unity of ideas, but unity in love. Those are two very different things.
Which, by the way, I think you model very well! 🙂