Respecting the Boss

“Let all who are under the yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled” (1Tim 6:1).

At some point, just about all of us have had a bad boss. Our manager may never rival Miranda from “The Devil Wears Prada.” They may not be as inherently evil as  Montgomery Burns of “The Simpsons.” It explains the twisted popularity of “The Office” and Dunder Mifflin Regional Manager Michael Scott. Do you remember Scott’s famous philosophy of leadership? “Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.”

It’s no surprise that horrible bosses are nothing new. They’ve probably been around since the very first prehistoric performance review. That’s why Paul gives Pastor Tim specific instructions for folks with both good and bad bosses in first century Ephesus. “Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled” (v1). A closer look at this verse shows us that submitting and supporting your supervisor is a great way to serve our Savior.

Don’t forget the whole reason Paul is writing to his protege Timothy. Around 64 A.D., the apostle was working to get the Ephesian megachurch back on track when he had to make a road trip to Macedonia. He hands Tim the keys as lead pastor and gives him instructions to continue straightening out the mess (1Tim 1:3). A crew of false teachers wormed their way into church leadership and sidetracked believers from the main thing of following Jesus with a combo of wacky myths, bottomless family histories, vicious lies, and downright demonic doctrine (1Tim 1:4-7; 4:1-2). 

Chances are their teaching not only did serious damage within the church but in the workplace as well. It doesn’t take much to imagine that their message stoked the fires of hatred on the job. Why else would Paul include these distinct and definite directions for how we deal with our boss? If it wasn’t a problem, why is it in here? What a powerful reminder this is to pastors, preachers, teachers, elders, and all spiritual leaders. What we teach has an impact on how folks are shining God’s light and spreading His salt the other six days of the week. 

After a discussion of God’s view of leadership (1Tim 3:1-13; 5:17-25), Gospel style assisted living (1Tim 5:3-16), and personal instruction on the role of pastor/teacher (1Tim 3:14-4:15), Paul goes out of his way to talk to Tim about the working stiffs in the Ephesian church, or as he calls them, “all who are under a yoke as bondservants” (v1). What just a New York minute. What does all this talk of yokes and bondservants in the first century have to do with grinding out the 9 to 5 in some cube farm? Absolutely everything. Because submitting and supporting your supervisor is a great way to serve our Savior.

Let’s be honest. Most of us have never seen a yoke, much less worn one. The word here is zugos, which describes a bar of wood joining the necks of two draft animals to enable more effective pulling of heavy equipment. Picture the Clydesdales hauling the beer wagon. Writers of the New Testament only use it as a figure of speech meaning a burden, bondage, or overly complicated rules and regs. I guess you could say that each April when you attempt to file your taxes, the yoke’s on you. Okay, maybe not.

Jesus used this term to describe the incredibly difference between trying to save myself from through performance and trusting in what He has done for me. “Take My yoke (Gr. zugos) upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke (Gr. zugos) is easy, and My burden is light” (Mt 11:29-30). When Galatian believers began trying to earn God’s favor by following rules, Paul warns them, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke (Gr. zugos) of slavery” (Gal 5:1). Once Jesus lightens our load, the last thing we should do is pick it again!

Being “under a yoke” is a metaphor in the NT for a slave. Just in case you may have missed who he’s talking about here, Paul calls them “bondservants” (v1). He uses a Greek word (Gr. doulos) which in very simple terms is a job description. It’s one who serves the will of another. Basically, he’s talking about a slave. We need to get something on the table right from the get-go. This form of slavery significantly different from the horrible history of the American South.

We need to understand that the Greco-Roman economy revolved around slavery. Historians have a hard time getting their hands on numbers, but some people estimate that slaves made up 30-40% of the population of Italy around the time of Jesus’ birth. It was NOT based on race but often on economic status. People would voluntarily serve someone else as a way to work off a debt. 

While some slaves were blue collar and did backbreaking physical labor. At the other end of the slave spectrum were butlers, teachers, doctors, and lawyers. Paul’s traveling buddy Dr. Luke may fit this description. The apostle wrote a personal note to his good friend Philemon after bumping into his runaway servant Onesimus in Rome (Phm 10-16). There’s a good chance that their owners provided these sorts of slaves with food, clothing, and a place to stay. 

Don’t miss the fact that the King of Kings willingly rolled up His supernatural sleeves to become the Servant of Servants. Jesus got up off the throne of heaven in order to come to our rescue. He “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant (Gr. doulos)” (Phil 2:7). Christ made it clear that He “came not to be served but to serve” (Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45). The night before He died, our Savior washed the grimy feet of His posse as a humble example for us of how we should willingly serve others (Jn 13:1-17). 

There is a parallel to Greco-Roman slavery for those of us living in the 21st century. Quite simply, Paul is talking about people who go to work. Employees. Salary, hourly, or commission, it doesn’t matter. Dayside or nightshift. Part time or full time. Blue collar or white collar. Stay-at-home mom or telecommuting dad. Even if you’re a self-employed entrepreneur, you have a responsibility to your customers and clients. The CEO answers to the board. Presidents report to the stockholders. If you work for a living, you work for somebody. On some level, just about every one of us is a bondservant in this sense of the word.

Each working stiff is to “regard their own masters as worthy of all honor” (v1). Paul uses a verb here (Gr. hegomai) you can translate a couple of different ways. A lot of times it means to weigh the facts, count, and consider something (Phil 2:3, 6, 25; 3:7, 8). But it can also describe having authority or influence, possessing the ability to make a authoritative decision, or govern something or someone. The writer of Hebrews encourages his readers always “remember those who rule over (Gr. hegomai) you” (Heb 13:7 NKJV) and “obey those who rule over (Gr. hegomai) you” (Heb 13:17 NKJV).

No matter where you fit in the org chart as an employee, you always have authority over who you respect. If you’re the boss of anything, it’s your own actions. You’re the one who decides who is worthy of your recognition. You lead, guide, and direct the respect you give. You have that kind of influence. You possess that sort of power. That being the case, every follower of Jesus is to “regard their own masters as worthy of all honor” (v1). In other words, submitting and supporting your supervisor is a great way to serve our Savior.

Don’t miss a couple of important points Paul makes here. First of all, the recipient of our respect is to be our “own masters” (v1). It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a high opinion of other supervisors. But it does mean to realize who’s MY boss. Ultimately, I’m working for Jesus, something the apostle has already told Ephesian believers in a previous letter (Eph 6:5-8). The focus of my regard is my own manager. 

Second, our supervisor should receive “all honor” (v1). Not some. Not half. Not most. ALL honor. Don’t hold back. Remember, you have control over this. Notice that the apostle doesn’t say, “Once your boss deserves your best, give them your best.” Christ’s call on each on of His followers is to respect our bosses no matter what. Remember, submitting and supporting your supervisor is a great way to serve our Savior.

Whether you’re a good worker or not goes a lot farther than your next performance review or job reference. A big part of honoring my boss is “so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled” (v1). In other words, how well we work reflects on the One we worship. Do you realize that when claim to follow Christ, your coworkers and customers keep their eyes on you? When we’re slackers or have a bad attitude, it negatively impacts how others see God and His Gospel.

This is a HUGE reminder that our work is worship. What?!? Worship? How can THAT be worship? Where’s the band? Where are the words on the screen? Where’s my favorite Chris Tomlin tune? Yup, our work is an expression of our love for Jesus. In a letter to the Colossians, Paul tells working folks that “whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Col 3:23). You don’t need a worship leader. You don’t need a guitar. You don’t need a seminary degree. Sometimes all you need to worship is a job to do and to do it well. 

So if a first century bondservant is to give all of his honor to his master, don’t you think a 21st century employee should respect his or her boss? If so, here’s where the rubber meets the road. Do you respond immediately and enthusiastically when told what to do at work? Do you smile to your supervisor’s face but grumble behind their back? Do you roll your eyes and push back when given your next assignment? Does your manager feel like their inconveniencing you by asking you to do your job? Are you a self-starter? Do you need constant supervision? Listen, I hate typing these questions as much as you hate reading them!

Christ calls us to respect our bosses whether they’ve earned it or not. We’re to honor our manager whether they are followers of Jesus or not. A huge part of being a follower of Jesus is properly submitting to authority. And that includes the workplace. ESPECIALLY the workplace! Remember, submitting and supporting your supervisor is a great way to serve our Savior.

Assisted Living, Gospel Style

“Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives” (1Tim 5:3-7).

Long before anyone came up with the idea of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, God told His people to care for their aging relatives. Here in Paul’s first letter to Timothy, the apostle gives the young Ephesian pastor specific and detailed instructions on focusing the church’s resources on those older women who are without husbands and without help (1Tim 5:3-16). We’ll look at the first part of this section here (1Tim 5:3-7). If she has family, they should step up. If all she has left is her hope in Jesus, that’s when her church family gets busy. It’s a critical way to show love to mom and memaw. This is assisted living, Gospel style.

Let’s face it. Caring for the elderly is not exactly a sexy topic. But it’s absolutely one of the most issues any church or family will ever face. It was clearly a bone of contention in the church of first century Ephesus. Think I’m making this up? Why else would Paul spend more time and ink on caring for widows than any other matter? Could it be that one of the worst impacts of the false teachers was the neglect and abuse of their senior saints (1Tim 1:3-7; 4:1-3)? Certainly strong extended family relationships are vitally important when looking for godly leaders of integrity (1Tim 3:2, 4-5, 12).

Can we talk about the elephant in the room for just a minute? Actually, this one is more like a massive woolly mammoth. Why isn’t this a front burner issue in the 21st Century American church? There is a massive proportion of our population that’s in need of care in the winter of their lives. It’s a percentage that’s growing every single day. According to the 2010 U.S. Census,13% of our Americans are at least 65 years old. And while men are living longer today than ever before, women are still outliving their husbands. 

When is the last time the topic of providing care for our widowed moms and grandmas came up at church? Getting uncomfortable, yet? Yeah, me too. My intent isn’t to be the travel agent for a guilt trip. But there’s little doubt that God calls His people to provide practical means of support for these women. If I’m a follower of Jesus, I’m to care for those ladies in my family who’ve lost their husbands. If an elderly widow has no one else, it’s time for the church to roll up its sleeves. 

“Honor widows who are truly widows” (v3). Here’s the bottom line when it comes to the subject. According to the folks behind the ESV Study Bible, Paul’s primary purpose is to identify widows who need the church’s help. He gives two key indicators. First, they have no other family (1Tim 5:4-8, 16). Second, they are examples of godliness (1Tim 5:5, 9-15). 

What does it mean to show someone “honor” (v3)? This is the Greek verb timao, which means to show someone respect, care, support, or simply treat them graciously. It comes from a root word describing something incredibly valuable, precious, and priceless. NT authors use it when referring to God’s Top Ten commandment about respecting our parents (Mt 19:19; Mk 7:10; 10:19; Lk 18:20; Eph 6:2). We show our widowed mothers and grandmothers just how precious they are to us by practically meeting all kinds of needs, primarily through our financial support. But don’t think you’re off the hook if you have the cheddar to simply write a check for assisted living. Nursing homes are full of lonely people. Show them their value to you with regular visits.

Paul uses a word for “widow” (Gr. chera) that comes from a term describing a huge emptiness. There’s a gaping void left by the death of her husband. It can also draw a painful picture of the chasm left wide open without any support from family. Unless we’ve lost a spouse, I don’t think we can wrap our brains or hearts around the Grand Canyon of grief it leaves behind. Jesus is the only one who truly fills that relational abyss. But one of the key ways He does that is through you and me.

God blesses His church with resources to manage and use effectively for His kingdom. A church shouldn’t support a widow who has family with the ability to love and support her. “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents” (v4). Let that sink in. Caring for your mom or grandma who’s lost their husband is first and foremost the family’s responsibility. Expect it. Plan for it. Don’t use the excuse that your money is tied up in charity work or supporting overseas missionaries. Jesus says that won’t fly (Mt 15:4-7; Mk 7:10-13). 

And don’t miss this point. Financially supporting our aging loved ones is a very practical means of worshiping God. It’s one way you and I can be sure to put a smile on His face. “For this is pleasing in the sight of God” (v4). You may not think of moving mom into your bonus room or visiting grammy at the assisted living facility as an act of worship to Jesus, but it is. I’m pretty sure this is the kind of thing Christ was talking about when told folks about feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, visiting the prisoner, and clothing the naked. “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, My brothers, you did it to Me” (Mt 25:40). When you do this for mom or grandma, you’re actually doing it for Jesus.

Paul turns from the widow who has a family to support her to the lady “who is truly a widow, left all alone” (v5). The original Greek text uses a word (Gr. mono’o) which means to be desolate, destitute, forsaken, and helpless. In the days before social security, life insurance, and 401ks, a woman would be left swinging in the societal breeze if she had no husband or son in her life to provide for her. Without them, these widows were helpless. While it’s not expressly part of this passage, one of the greatest ways that a husband can love his wife is by providing for her after his death. Don’t just make a point of piling up a nest egg but make sure you have a will that makes everything clear. Otherwise she may be destitute as the result of probate.

Did you realize Jesus did some first century estate planning in order to care for His mom? While He hung on the cross, Christ asked His best friend John to care for Mary as if she was the apostle’s own mother (Jn 19:25-27). Jesus knew the future His mom faced without Him. At this point, His kid brothers James and Jude hadn’t placed their trust in their God and Savior. That wouldn’t happen until their big Brother walked alive out of the tomb a few days later. Jesus gives us a great example of what it looks like for believers to care for our aging parents.

The apostle writes that a woman who’s left without family should first “set her hope on God” (v5). She knows the Father is ultimately the One who will provide her with what she needs. When Jesus teaches His posse the basics of prayer, He points out the importance of dependance on our Heavenly Dad. “Give us each day our daily bread” (Lk 11:4). This has nothing really with whether you’re gluten-free or not, but rather trusting in our generous God to give you what you need each day. While we should all set our “hope on God” (v5), a widow probably has no other choice.

So just what does a godly lady do when she’s lost her husband and has no family? She prays. She “continues in supplications and prayers night and day” (v5). Dr. Luke gives us a perfect picture of what this looks like. When Joe and Mary headed to the temple just after the birth of their first Son, they ran into Anna. After losing her husband, this 84-year-old prophetess not only lived at the temple in Jerusalem but devoted herself to “worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Lk 2:36-38). Instead of sitting around feeling sorry for herself, a godly widow leverages her available time for others, specifically in prayer. 

And if there’s any doubt about how a widow should NOT roll, Paul writes, “But she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives” (v6). He drops a Greek word here (Gr. spatalao) that means to live luxuriously or seek to gratify your own appetites and desires. It comes from another term used to describe a riot that’s completely out of control. The only other time we see this word used in the Bible is when James warns the wealthy, “You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence (Gr. spatalao)” (James 5:5). Just ask the prodigal son how that works out (Lk 15:13-16). 

This woman makes the tragic mistake of making herself the priority and blowing everything she has on herself. We’re talking about so much more than money. She is black hole of attention, dragging everyone into her drama. It’s completely the opposite of the godly widow in the previous verse who fasts and prays (v5). God calls us to live selflessly not selfishly. Follow Jesus’ example of sacrifice and flip org chart. “In humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil 2:3-4). The Message nails this idea. “But a widow who exploits people’s emotions and pocketbooks—well, there’s nothing to her” (v6 The Message).

What this wild widow doesn’t realize is that she’s “dead while she lives” (v6). She’s a dead woman walking. This lady is actually no more alive than her already dead husband. SPOILER ALERT! She’s like Bruce Willis’ character in “The Sixth Sense.” This widow is dead and doesn’t realize it. (If I spoiled the big reveal of that movie, this one is completely on you. That flick came out in 1999.) 

Paul gives Pastor Tim specific instructions about what he’s to do with this info about widows, families, and the church family. “Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach” (v7). Let’s review “these things.” Take proper care of these women who truly can’t take care of themselves. Family’s need to step up and provide for the ladies in their lives. If she has no family, the church steps in. Gently encourage these widows to allow Christ to fill the void in their lives and devote themselves to prayer. Warn those who’ve lost their husbands not to be a dead woman walking. This is assisted living, Gospel style.

Celebrating Servants

“I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has bend distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me” (Philippians 2:25-30).

Everybody can’t be on the front lines. Everybody can’t ditch their day job and throw themselves headlong into the mission field. Some of us simply aren’t in the position to chuck it all and head down the highway for cause of Christ. Paul makes it clear to those of us on the home front, we should support and celebrate the sacrifice and service of those who do hit the road for Jesus. That’s his message for the folks back in Philippi. Their man Epaphroditus made the trip from Macedonia with a care package from the church. But a funny thing happened to him while he was on the road. (Not funny “ha ha” but funny “weird.”) He almost died. (I told you it wasn’t funny “ha ha.”) The Philippians sent him to help the apostle behind bars in Rome. It nearly cost him his life. Now he’s headed home. Paul tells them to throw a party for Epaphroditus and give him the honor of a returning war hero.

You may be wondering how Paul ended up in the slammer all the way over in Rome. And why would folks in a Macedonian seaport send help to him while he’s in the joint? It seems the apostle got tossed in jail a while back when fellow Jews accused him of stirring up trouble at the temple in Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-36). Roman officials keep Paul locked up for years even though it sure seems clear he’s an innocent man (Acts 23:9; 25:7, 18-19, 25; 26:30-31). After twiddling his thumbs and waiting for somebody to rule on his trumped up charges for several years, the apostle eventually appeals to Caesar to hear his case (Acts 25:11-12; 26:32). He’s eventually transferred to custody in Rome, a trip that would make the movie “Con Air” look like something from Pixar (Acts 27:1-28:16). While Paul waits for his hearing, he writes letters to churches in Ephesus, Colossae, his buddy Philemon, and lastly to the Philippian followers of Jesus. 

The relationship between the Philippians and Paul goes back a few years before that. The apostle is on his second Gospel tour of the Mediterranean rim, taking the message of Jesus to everyone who will listen. Paul and his posse cross from Asia Minor into Macedonia and their first stop is the seaport of Philippi. You can read all about it in Dr. Luke’s sequel we call the Book of Acts (Acts 16:12-40). The Good News which Paul brings to this Roman colony turns the city upside down. There are huge riots as a result. Think Ferguson. Think Baltimore. A lynch mob finally gets their mitts on the apostle and his sidekick Silas and drags them to a local shopping mall. “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice” (Acts 16:20-21). It’s not long before God begins growing a church from a fashionista named Lydia, another young lady freed from human trafficking and the occult, as well as the local jailer and his family. Crazy stuff. In Philippi as in other cities, the Gospel was shutting down worship of gods and goddesses like Aphrodite. Epaphroditus’ name literally means “devoted to Aphrodite.” There’s a good chance Epaphroditus was one of those Jesus got ahold of on Paul’s trip to Philippi. Because Paul devoted himself to sharing the love of Christ with these folks, they devote themselves to his care when he’s in jail. 

The apostle thinks its time for Epaphroditus to head back home (v25). The Big E is some sort of authority figure in the church. Maybe an elder. Possibly the pastor. He made his delivery of supplies to Paul. “I have received full payment, and more, I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Phil 4:18). But he doesn’t return home empty handed. The apostle pays him the great compliment by calling this man “my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier” (v25). When the dude who wrote most of the New Testament drops those titles on you, it’s kind of a big deal. As one who’s made similar sacrifices of service for his Savior, Paul knows it when he sees it. 

The man from Tarsus also refers to Epaphroditus as “your messenger and minister to my need” (v25). It’s interesting to note that the word we read in the ESV as “messenger” is the Greek word we often translate as “apostle” (Gr. apostolos). This doesn’t mean we should add E’s name to the list of the Twelve. There are only a dozen of those. But back in the Greco-Roman world, an apostle was a pretty common position. The term describes a representative with the full rights, privileges, and authority of the one who sends them. Just as Jesus gave each of His twelve apostles His full authority wherever they went, Epaphroditus is the official rep of the Philippian church. Since they couldn’t all go, they sent him to go for them. That’s what Paul means when he talks about how Epaphroditus was able “to complete what was lacking in your service to me” (v30). We should all want to go. But we all can’t go. Let’s look for opportunities to represent our local church for the cause of Christ. However when the Lord opens the doors for fellow believers to take His message to faraway places, we should step up and help them. All of us can pray for them. Some of us should pay for them. Remember, we give because He’s given us SO much. This is an incredible privilege to do give back since they are repping Jesus on our behalf. 

As I mentioned earlier, the Big E nearly D-I-E-D when he got to Paul. “Indeed he was ill, near to death” (v27). But here’s the crazy part. While Epaphroditus nearly croaked on this mission of mercy, his biggest concern was for this friends back in Philippi. “For he was longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard he was ill” (v26). The apostle writes that Epaphroditus is “distressed” and uses a verb in the original language (Gr. ademoneo) which literally means to be very heavy or full of heaviness. It’s the strongest Greek word for depression. He’s deeply depressed. He’s very upset. He’s overcome with anguish. NOT for his own situation. The brother may be on his death bed but he’s completely bummed that folks back home are so worried about him.

Paul can’t wait to send him so they “may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious” (v28). The apostle will be relieved when Epaphroditus is finally back home safe and sound. He also knows the Philippians won’t be able to wipe the smiles off their faces when the Big E walks through the front door again. Once again, this little letter drips with joy. Despite all that’s happened to him, the man from Tarsus has joy in the joint. And he can’t wait to spread that joy to the folks in Philippi by sending their rep back home. Happiness is based on our circumstances. Jesus gives us His joy that’s WAY beyond our situation. Nothing can steal our joy. 

There’s going to be quite party back in Macedonia when Epaphroditus rolls back into town. Paul gives them two commands. One, “receive him in the Lord with all joy” (v29). Sure sounds like a party to me! Think ticker tape parade. Somebody book a DJ or live band. Two, “honor such men” (v29). God’s people should celebrate the humility and self-sacrifice demonstrated by guys like Epaphroditus. One trip through the checkout counter shows us who our society honors. Check out the covers of People and Us magazines. Turn any episode of “Access Hollywood” or “Entertainment Tonight.” We hold high the beautiful people. We lift up the rich and powerful. Instead of keeping up with the Kardashians, we should be shining the spotlight on those who sacrifice and serve in the name of our Savior. 

It’s a theme all throughout the Bible. There’s a little church in the town just down the road from Philippi in Thessalonica. The apostle had similar orders for them. “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly because of their work” (1Th 5:12-13). Paul wanted the Corinthians to honor Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus “for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people” (1Cor 16:17-18). The apostle tells his protege Tim, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1Tim 5:7). In other words, take practical steps to give your preacher honor, like a good salary. Here’s the big idea. When someone is a rock star in their service to Jesus, make sure everyone knows. When a volunteer sells out for the Gospel, honor them. When a small group leader builds into the lives of others, honor them. When an associate pastor devotes himself to a grieving family, honor them. Get the idea? 

Not everybody can go, so let's honor those who can. Every time someone rocks the joint for Jesus, it’s time to let everyone know. 

Making Jesus Famous

“Yes, and I rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as alway Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life for by death” (Philippians 1:18b-20).

Jesus is a game changer. He brings hope where there should gloom. He brings joy where there should be tears. There’s no greater example than the life of Paul, especially during his four years behind bars for telling everyone who would listen about Jesus. I mean there must have been some absolutely crazy stuff going on in the Roman prison where the apostle was in custody. Jesus used Paul to transform this place of pain and suffering into a joyful joint. You see, the man from Tarsus knew that no matter what happened to him during his time in the pen, Christ would use it to make Himself more and more famous. 

Let’s be honest. This little letter to a tiny group of believers in Philippi just doesn’t make sense. Jesus’ top spokesperson is locked up. The church he planted in the Macedonian seaport sent their current pastor to help but he nearly died making the trip to Rome. Yet this note absolutely drips with joy. Yeah, you read that right. Joy. If Paul had a boom box, he may have had Pharrell’s “Happy” cranked to 11. Here in the darkest dungeon of the empire, the apostle feels like a room without a roof. He knows that Jesus has given him something so incredibly awesome that Caesar’s supermax can’t take away. That’s the reason for his joy. As a result, God uses the apostle to turn the slammer into a greenhouse for Good News. Paul is telling everybody who will listen about the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilee.

We pick things with Paul’s joy on repeat. “Yes, and I will rejoice” (v18). He’s just said that he’s absolutely stoked to know that no matter what the motives are of the various messengers, they’re spreading the message of Jesus. Because “Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice” (v18). His joy keeps jumping he knows one way or the other Jesus will spring him from prison. While the apostle’s praying for his friends back in Philippi (Phil 1:3-11), they’ve been praying for him too. God is up to something “through your prayers” (v19). Their concern for their founder isn’t just lip service. Their prayers have clearly resulted in action. They’ve sent very practical help in the form of their pastor Epaphroditus (Phil 4:18). The Big E nearly died on his mission to aid Paul (Phil 2:30).

Do you pray for your friends and family? Do you know of fellow believers who are, in the words of Ulysses Everett McGill in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”, are in a tight spot? Do you ask the One who’s in charge of the universe to help them out? That’s a huge part of God’s gift of prayer. It’s not an intercom so God can be some sort of supernatural butler to freshen your drink. John Piper sees prayer like a walkie talkie on the battlefield. We use it to call in the ultimate air support. We call on God when we’re in real trouble. We call on God when we know the ones we love are in real trouble. Who needs your prayers right now? Call HQ and get Jesus involved. That’s what the Philippians have done for Paul. 

The prayers of the Philippian followers of Jesus sound the alarm for “the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (v19). No, they’re not baking a cake with a file in it. There’s no plan to bust Paul out of the joint through an elaborate jail break. Paul knows that there’s something, or should I say Someone much greater at work. The Holy Spirit has something up His sleeve. The Third Person of the Trinity provides “help” (v19). Paul uses the Greek word epichoregia here. This describes a large supply, a rich provision, and overwhelming assistance. God’s Spirit just won’t give what Paul needs to squeak by on the cellblock. He’s giving him more than he could ever dream of wanting or needing (Eph 3:20). Later, the man from Tarsus proudly writes, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). In this particular instance, he knows that the combo of their prayers and God’s Spirit “will turn out for my deliverance” (v19). One way or the other, prisoner Paul will be a free man soon.

You would think it to be bad press when God’s top missionary is locked up in prison. Wrong. It’s not that any publicity is good publicity. It’s because Paul knows that he “will not be at all ashamed” (v20). He knows that as long as he is obedient to God’s call on his life and in willing submission to the Lord’s leadership, Jesus’ glory will continue to roll around the world. In the big house in Rome, I wonder if Paul remembers his words to the Roman church that he sent them a few years back. “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16). He’s not ashamed to broadcast the Good News of Christ because it’s more than powerful enough to change the lives of everyone who hears it. “Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been give to us” (Rom 5:5). Something tells me that Paul not only remembers these words, but is giving them very practical application in this Roman prison.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road for the apostle. He’s completely confident “with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body whether by life of or death” (20). Check out the word he drops that the folks at the ESV translate “honored.” Megaluno. It means to magnify with great intensity, enlarge greatly, make incredibly conspicuous, or even to make famous. Check out a few other times writers of the NT use this term. Mary sang about how her very soul was a magnifying glass of God’s glory (Lk 1:46). When God’s Spirit bum rushes Gentile believers right before Peter’s eyes, they couldn’t stop enlarging Jesus’ rep to everyone who would listen (Acts 10:46). God used Paul’s preaching about Jesus to turn Ephesus upside down to the point that Christ’s name became known all throughout the city (Acts 19:17). It’s a stone cold, lead pipe lock that God will use whatever happens to Paul in order to make Jesus famous.

So from the comfort of my suburban life in America, do I have the same confidence as Paul does in prison? Am I honoring Jesus with my life? Am I making Him famous? Am I using my soul as a magnifying glass of God’s glory? Am I doing everything I can to tell the world about the One who has come to my rescue? I need to remember the incredible cost Jesus paid to make me His and what I should do about it. “For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1Cor 6:20). There’s also a mammoth point here that God calls us to worship with so much more than our minds. We’re to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:2). I’m not saying that I need to do P90X for Jesus (then again, this particular “temple” could certainly use a little renovation). But there is certainly a physical component to following Christ. 

When it’s all said and done, Paul knows that no matter what happens to him the Lord will use it as part of the worldwide campaign to spread the Gospel. And that includes whether the apostle walks out through the front door of the prison or whether he dies behind bars. Jesus will be honored “whether by life or by death” (v20). That’s not something most American believers are facing these days. But there are those around the world that bring glory to our Savior as they face death at the hands of terrorists like ISIS and Boko Haram. Paul doesn’t let the possibility of dying in jail steal his joy. He knows more than most that Jesus is a game changer. God will use whatever happens to make sure Christ is the lead story in every newscast. 

It Starts and Ends with Grace

“All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all” (Titus 3:15).

We all blow past the blah-blah-blah. You know the stuff I’m talking about. The license agreement for new software. The fine print of the home owners association covenants. The itty bitty print of the side effects for your prescription. And I tend to do the same with certain parts of the Bible. Those verses where Paul introduces himself at the beginning of a letter as well as that whole “Sincerely, Paul” business at the end. When we come to these passages, we need to slow our roll. We need to pump our brakes. There’s great stuff here. Don’t blow past them. There are greetings. And there is grace. And you never blow past grace. Ever.

Before we drill down into the close of this little letter, let’s take a step back at what’s going on here. Jesus’ gracious invitation is washing across the Mediterranean rim like a Gospel tsunami. People of every race, culture, social strata, and demographic group are placing their trust in the resurrected Rabbi from Palestine as the one and only Son of God. One of the places the Good News turns upside down is the island Crete, just off the coast of Greece. There are new believers everywhere. The Apostle Paul led a team that ministered to these baby Christians but has now moved on to the Greek seaport of Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). He leaves behind a squad to finish the next phase of the mission, led by Titus (Titus 1:4) as well as Zenas the lawyer and Apollos (Titus 3:13). 

The apostle gives Titus and the boys a three-point plan. One, appoint qualified spiritual leaders for every church on the island to fill the leadership gap (Titus 1:5). Two, shut down and shut up a pesky pack of false teachers who are stirring up trouble among these baby believers (Titus 1:10-11). Three, establish a self-sustaining system of telling folks what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). Once those items are crossed off the to-do list and once reinforcements arrive, the Big T is to pack his gear and spend the winter with Paul in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12).

The apostle wraps up his letter with greetings to Titus and all the believers on Crete. It’s easy to simply read these unimportant and meaningless sentences. You know, we see this as basically, “Everybody here says ‘hello’ to you, Titus. Please say ‘hey’ to all the folks following Jesus on your end.” Don’t make that mistake. This is SO much more than a shout out from the Nicopolis posse. Remember that the Holy Spirit inspires every single word on the pages of Scripture (2Tim 3:16-17). This verse is there for a reason. Second, you didn’t waste paper (actually parchment or papyrus) back in the first century. It was EXTREMELY valuable. You wouldn’t waste it with worthless words.

So what does Paul really mean when he sends along all of these “greetings” (v15)? He uses the Greek verb aspazomai. It means SO much more than giving somebody a shout out. For those of us who love the old “Andy Griffith Show, this isn’t “tell’ em Goober says ‘hey!’” This word means to salute, honor, express good wishes, and pay one’s respects. And the apostle doesn’t use just once, but twice! So it’s kind of a big deal. So what’s the meat behind the greet? Let’s see how this term is used a few other spots in the NT. Jesus sends out His dozen disciples and instructs them, “As you enter the house, greet (Gr. aspazomai) it” (Mt 10:12). Make sure to introduce yourself to you host. Salute their commitment to God’s kingdom. Make a personal connection. Encourage them as they serve Jesus. When the Son of God rolls into one town, the people are stoked to see Him. “And immediately all the crowd, when they saw Him, were greatly amazed and ran up to Him and greeted (Gr. aspazomai) Him” (Mk 9:14). They pay Him honor and treat Him with respect. When Paul wraps up mission number two, he pays his respects to the home church in Jerusalem. “When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted (Gr. aspazomai) the church” (Acts 18:22). 

While it is important to greet people, introduce yourself, and say “hello,” but this is beyond a handshake or a howdy. This is saluting what God is doing in the lives of those we meet. This is paying tribute to someone’s sacrifice for Christ’s kingdom. This is acknowledging a person’s worth as one made in the very image of God. Paul is personally honoring Titus’ service to Jesus and the people of Crete. He’s also passing along the encouragement and thanks of the rest of Nicopolis crew. In the same way that we should always remember to thank members of the military for their service to our country, we should salute those who serve our Savior. 

The apostle lands the plane by writing, “Grace be with you all” (v15). Again, this isn’t just Paul’s way of saying, “I’m out. (Drops mic.)” These final words are closely related to how this letter started. “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior” (Titus 1:4). He starts with grace. He ends with grace. That’s how the man from Tarsus begins and ends every single letter he writes. Don’t believe me? Check for yourself. I’ll wait. Okay, you’re back! This is a not-so-subtle reminder that our entire relationship with Jesus starts with grace and it ends with grace. We’ve done absolutely nothing to deserve it. We’re done nothing to earn it. Christ saved us because of His goodness, not ours. He lived the perfect life that I failed to live. He died the death on the cross for my sin that I should have died. He rose to new life that I don’t deserve. Just like Paul’s letters, my salvation starts with grace and ends with grace.

Whatever you do, don’t blow past what you think is the blah-blah-blah. You never blow past grace. Ever.

That's My Boy!

“For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne  to by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased’” (v17).

The great philosopher and theologian Bill Cosby talks about what it was like watching his own son play football. “Yes, that’s my boy. See that boy running the touchdown with the name ‘Cosby’ on the back? That’s my son. I would have done it myself, but I’m too old now. So I gave him the business. He’s in charge of running touchdowns.” In many ways, that’s very similar to what God the Father said to Peter, James and John that incredible meeting on the mountain. In his sequel, the apostle flashes back to remind us of what they saw and heard. They heard Jesus’ Dad as the proud Papa. 

That’s My Boy!

Pete’s talking about what theologians call the Transfiguration. That jaw-dropping moment when Jesus literally began to shine. This is a spectacular sneak preview of the God-Man’s heavenly glory. If that’s not enough, two OT superstars showed up. We’re talking Moses and Elijah. Yeah, a pair of real prophetic heavy hitters. This supernatural summit shows is such a big deal that three of the four Gospel writers shine their spotlight on it (Mt 17:1-8; Mk 9:2-8; 9:28-36). It makes you wonder just how this impacted Jesus’ inner circle as He headed for Jerusalem and His death on a Roman cross.

Pete describes how Jesus “received honor and glory” from His heavenly Dad. The Greek word for “honor” means respect, worth and recognition. God the Father lets us know that His Son is a Big Deal. As a matter of fact, there are none bigger. Jesus is the Biggest Deal! The apostle recalls how Christ also receives “glory” at the Transfiguration. The word in the original language is doxa. It means radiance, brightness, splendor, majesty, remarkable appearance or shining. He’s talking about how Jesus began to glow and dazzle while they were there. So when Jesus was transfigured, it was His Dad that did it! In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term for “glory” is kabod. It describes a heaviness, weightiness or importance. When He makes His Son shine, Father God says that Christ has gravitas. He’s a Big Deal. A VERY Big Deal. He’s one very proud Papa.

That’s My Boy!

At this point, the former fisherman drops a very curious description of the heavenly voice. It’s “the Majestic Glory.” He uses the same word (Gr. doxa) but adds the adjective megaloprepes. It’s a compound word that literally means “mega-shiny” and “super conspicuous.” It’s the one and only time the term is used in the entire Bible. When you flip over to Matt’s take on what happened that day, “the Majestic Glory” is most the “bright cloud that overshadowed them” (Mt 17:5). The majestically glorious Voice came from the majestically glorious cloud. The One speaking is splendid. The One speaking is  excellent. The One speaking is sublime. The Mega Glorious One is busting at the seams with pride over His Son. 

That’s My Boy!

What exactly did the very proud heavenly Dad say about His Son? “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased” (v17). This is exact quote Matt’s Gospel uses (Mt 17:5). God makes it clear that radical Rabbi/Carpenter isn’t just anybody’s son. He’s HIS Son! He’s the one and only Son of God! The Father doesn’t even try to contain His overflowing parental passion for His Son by announcing that Jesus is His “beloved” (Gr. agapetos). It literally means someone who’s on the receiving end of agape. The term also describes one who is a favorite, worthy of love, esteemed and lovable. No one loves Jesus more His very own heavenly Dad. But God doesn’t just love His Son because He has to. He’s “well pleased” (Gr. eudokeo) with everything about Him. He absolutely enjoys being around Him. The Father takes divine delight in His Son. This is a glimpse at the incredible friendship and fellowship in the Holy Trinity. There’s no closer relationship in the history of the universe than what we find in the Father, Son and Spirit. The love of the Godhead spills over the heavenly dam at the Transfiguration. God the Father is cheers on His Son. He wants the world to know just who He is and what He’s done.

That’s My Boy!

We Now Return You to Your Regular Progam

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband (Eph 5:33).

“We interrupt this program to bring you this special report.”  How many times have you been watching your favorite show or catching the big game when this happens?  News breaks and the network or local station cuts in to bring you up to date.  Here in verse 33, Paul breaks into his instructions to married men to bring us up to date on Jesus’ relationship with His church.  “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (v33).  From his prison cell in Rome, the apostle applies his teaching about Jesus to Christian marriage.  Meanwhile, back at the ranch.  

We now return you to your regular program.

We get this idea from the very first word in this sentence: “However” (v33).  In the original Greek text we see the conjunction plen.  It means yet, in any case, nevertheless, rather or moreover.  In other words, it’s a way of bringing things back to the original discussion.  Consider the previous section kind of like an aside.  A parenthetical comment.  That’s NOT to say it’s not important.  It’s a rabbit trail.  A very important rabbit trail.  A Holy Spirit inspired rabbit trail.  But a rabbit trail nonetheless.

Most of Paul’s discussion about how husbands should treat their wives is actually about how the Perfect Husband treats His bride (Eph 5:25-32).  Jesus lovingly sacrificed Himself for His church (Eph 5:25).  He’s washing her perfectly in a Bible bath and getting her ready for the big day (Eph 5:26-27).  He’s caring and pampering for His bride as her Hero and Protector (Eph 5:29).  As followers of Jesus, we’re each intimately connected to Him and each other (Eph 5:30).  And while no one knew it at the time, the first wedding in Eden was a picture of Christ’s marriage to His church (Eph 5:31-32).  At this point, Paul returns us back to our regular program.  After his discussion of Jesus and His bride, he gets back to his original point of how the husband and wife should relate.  

We now return you to your regular program.

First, Paul addresses “each one of you” (v33).  The “you” he’s talking to are the “husbands” back in verse 25.  If you’re wondering which husbands need to follow this command, that would be “each one of you” (v33).  Are you a married man who follows Jesus?  OK, good.  Listen up.  Pay attention.  Yeah, he’s talking to you.  And me.  He’s about to apply all of the stuff he just told us about Jesus’ relationship with His wife.  Ready?  Drum roll, please...

The husband is to “love his wife as himself” (v33).  This is the fourth and final time the apostle tells us hard-headed hubbies to get busy and love our brides.  First in verse 25.  Twice in verse 28.  Now one last time in verse 33.  Love your wife, homey!  Got it?  Got it!  Once again, Paul uses the Greek verb agapao, the kissin’ cousin to agape.  This means to sacrificially show and prove one’s love to another, to love based on choice, will and action.  It’s demonstrating an extreme high regard for someone by what is actually done.  In Greek literature outside of the Bible, agapao means to treat with great affection and even to caress.  This is a love that is so much more than a warm fuzzy that is never expressed.  This love has legs.  It gets going.  This love has hands.  This love does.  It’s love in action.  When someone is on the receiving end of agapao, they know it because something is done to them or for them.

Because a married couple has truly be joined together as one with God’s supernatural Super Glue, they are one intimate unit.  You can’t pull them apart.  It’s almost the opposite of when a single tiny cell splits in two during mitosis.  When God gets involved in a marriage, two become one.  1+1=1.  This isn’t a joint venture.  Two actually become one.  Because of this divine transformation, when a husband does things to express his love for his bride, he’s actually loving himself.

Now Paul turns back to all the married ladies.  This is where this couples therapy began.  Previously, the apostle tells wives to “submit to your own husbands” as an act of worship to Jesus (Eph 5:22).  This is the idea of loving cooperation and willing obedience to the husband’s leadership.  This does NOT mean she’s a doormat.  This does NOT mean she’s a slave.  This means she’s fully involved in the marriage, providing input to every key decision.  Now in verse 33, the apostle gives us another thought on what that looks like.  “Let the wife see that she respects her husband” (v33).  The Amplified Bible does a fabulous job of giving us a 360 degree look at this idea.  “Let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]” (v33 AMP).  Read that again.  Let that soak in.  

The husband is to love.  The wife is to respect.  This isn’t just some random thought Paul had after being alone too long in slammer.  Under the guidance of the God’s Spirit, he’s telling each spouse to give their partner what they need the most.  God has wired the woman to need loving care.  She needs to be cherished.  She needs a hero.  She needs a protector.  That’s her husband.  God has wired men to need to be held in high regard.  He needs a cheerleader.  He needs an encourager.  That’s his wife.  That’s the key idea behind Eggerich’s book “Love and Respect.”  So as the apostle returns us to our regular program here, he sums it all up.  Married men, show your bride love in action.  Married women, respect and praise your man.

We now return you to your regular program.

Well, now it's your turn.  What do you think?  Do you agree?  Disagree?  I would love to hear what you think.  Drop a comment below and let's chat.