… so that you may command certain people …
Summary: Giving commands sounds easy until someone takes offense.
Let’s regroup and read Paul’s entire sentence so far:
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people …”
This passage is fascinating because it calls for a specific kind of action. Paul gives a similar instruction to Titus. (Interestingly, Paul also refers to Titus as his “true son in our common faith” — Titus 1:4). After giving specific instruction on what and how, Paul tells Titus to “rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15).
There are two presuppositions behind Paul’s instructions to both Timothy and Titus. One is that they understand what the Gospel is so that they can recognize what needs correcting. The second is that they recognize their authority to guard and define the Gospel.
When it comes to understanding the Gospel, there are three things that Paul is concerned about:
- First, he does not want anybody adding to it (Galatians 1:6-9)
- Second, he does not want people taking anything away from it (1 Corinthians 15:12).
- Third, he does not want people teaching alternatives to it (2 Corinthians 11:4).
If Timothy and Titus are clear on that, then the next question is one of authority. Do they have what it takes to defend the Gospel?
Let’s face it — just because Paul says to “command” so-and-so to do this or stop doing that, it doesn’t mean that they are going to do it.
So what is Paul really saying?
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul lists the cost that accompanies standing up for the Gospel. People often don’t like being told that what they are doing or saying is wrong. There are undoubtedly some who will be conscience-stricken if their heart is truly soft towards God, but others are unmoved by Paul’s demands that they not preach false teachings about Jesus.
Those who resent being told “No!” sometimes react violently. Disagreements can result in riots, beatings, and imprisonment.
When Paul says “command certain people,” he is talking about more than words. He is telling Timothy and Titus to follow in his footsteps. The path he is sending them down is not an easy one.
Application: Strive to understand the Gospel, what it is and what it isn’t.
Food for Thought: If Paul were a football coach and Timothy and Titus were on his team, what would he be telling them to do?
*2 Corinthians 6:3-10
I only know a little about football, but I know enough to say that I believe Paul is telling Timothy and Titus to train hard (be ready), be disciplined, maintain defense, and keep the ball moving toward the goal line.
Train hard:
1 Timothy 4:7-8
7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Be disciplined
Titus 1:7-9
7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Maintain defense
2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Keep the ball moving toward the goal line.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Thank you, Chris!
Well said! If you are interested in a job as a coach, let me know. 🙂
If Paul were a football coach and Timothy and Titus were on his team, what would he be telling them to do?
Focus, control the game, get the ball and score. Train, train, train is the path to effective individual and team development. Each player is selected for their position based upon their skills coming in. Each is capable of multitasking but their focus is directed toward increasing their effectiveness in a specific God given talent.
As a new believer my greatest desire was to run around telling everyone I knew about Jesus. I had the excitement, the desire, but lacking the knowledge, I fell flat on my face. God knew what I needed and for 6 years, kept me in a very highly organized mens bible study. During my studies I joined a Bible based church. In time I led new members classes, adult Sunday school, home bible studies and knocked on doors. In time the mens Bible Study grew to a 10 year study which I stayed with and eventually became a group leaded with up to 17 men. In my free time God would bring strangers to me, I would strike up a conversation, and we would after a brief time be conversing about God, specifically Jesus Christ. Some received Jesus, others had truth to think about.
1. Immerse Yourself in the Word, 2 Timothy 3:16, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
2. Develop a Vibrant Prayer Life, Mathew 6:6, When you pray, go into your inner room, shut the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen.
3. Embrace an Obedient Heart, James 1:22, Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.
4. Seek the Fellowship of Believers, Proverbs 27:17, As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
5. Renew Your Mind, Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
6. Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
7. Practice Humility, Matthew 23:11-12, The greatest among you shall be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
8. Persevere in Trials, James 1:2, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds.
9. Exist within an Eternal Perspective, Colossians 3:2. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
10. Share the Good News, Mark 16:15, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
God will lead and direct, as we mature. In obedience, we follow and obey.
Thank you, Ron!
I always appreciate hearing your testimony — it encourages me. I suppose the only thing I might add to your wonderful list of things to do is “Listen to the coach!” 🙂