God's Supernatural Super Glue

 As Seen on TV

You’ve seen the commercials. Those late night spots pitching crazy products on some random cable channel. You can always count on them hawking some sort of amazing adhesive. They usually involve some scientific breakthrough involving space age polymers.

These days the “as seen on TV” stickum of choice is Flex Glue. According to ad, put down those nails, screws, and welder’s torch,my friend. Buy a tube of this goo and you won’t need mortar to build with bricks.

Forget Flex Glue

Did you know there’s a glue that makes all of these look like preschool paste? Jesus describes it in a discussion about divorce (Mk 10:1-12). When a group of religious rule keepers come to Christ asking for the secret to tearing things apart, He says they’re missing the point. He wants us to marvel at God’s supernatural Super Glue.

Forget Flex Glue, Gorilla Glue, Liquid Nails, Loctite, rubber cement, two-part epoxy, and even duct tape. There’s absolutely nothing in the universe that sticks and holds like the divine bond of marriage.

NOT That Kind of Christ

This all goes down at a key moment in Mark’s bio of Jesus. Up to this point, most of the second Gospel has focused on the true identity of the miracle working Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth.

After a ton of speculation, He finally confirms that He is indeed the Christ, the long awaited Hero from heaven (Mk 8:29-31; 9:7, 31). But there’s just one little catch. Jesus is NOT the kind of Messiah folks are expecting.

Long before Jesus rules triumphantly, He’ll be double crossed and denounced. He’ll be tortured and killed. But get this. After three days, He’ll come strolling out of the cemetery after punching death in the throat!

Leaving Galilee

So far, a huge chunk of Mark’s story of Jesus takes place in Galilee, an out-of-the-way corner in the backwater boondocks of the Roman Empire called Palestine. That location changes as we flip the page to chapter ten.

“Then Jesus left Capernaum and went down to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River. Once again crowds gathered around Him, and as usual He was teaching them” (v1).

A Change of Real Estate

From Galilee, Christ and His crew head south and east, crossing the Jordan River into what we know today as nation of Jordan. Back in the First Century, folks called this little sliver of land Perea.

Dead God-Man Walking

This change of real estate is a big deal in the life of our Savior. He’s now on the road to Jerusalem (Mk 10:17, 32, Mk 11:1; Lk 9:51). He’s been there before. But this time, it’s different.

The Messiah is on a mission. He has a date with death. He’s marching to own His crucifixion. He’s a dead God-Man walking. But we’ll get to that later.

A People Magnet

Here on eastern bank of the Jordan River, the Lord makes His last stop before heading to the big city. When He does, the crowds gather…again. He teaches them…again. If you’re familiar with His story, it’s the regular rhythm of Jesus’ ministry.

The Son of God is a people magnet. Folks want to be near Him. He leverages that popularity to teach them. Matthew describes the very same scene (Mt 19:1-9) and adds that He also heals many of them as well (Mt 19:2).

Here Come the Pharisees

Things seem to be hunky dory but that’s about to change. “Some Pharisees came and tried to trap Him with this question” (v2). Here we go again. It’s not the first time these religious know-it-alls have been a problem (Mk 2:16, 28; 3:2-6; 7:1-13; 8:11-13). It won’t be the last (Mk 12:13-17). Give them credit. These guys are nothing if not persistent.

Just who are the Pharisees? Glad you asked. The perspective of history has given them a nasty rep. In first century Israel, the Pharisees are Jewish superstars known for their over-the-top devotion to God.

The Separate Ones

Believe it or not, they’re NOT religious pros. The Pharisees are mostly middle class businessmen who have a fanatical commitment to the letter of God’s law expressed in what we now call they Old Testament.

How dedicated are they? Well, their name actually means “the separate ones,” as in separate from dirt and scum of those who didn’t take their Jewish faith seriously enough.

All about Image

Not only do the Pharisees arrogantly see themselves as a cut above the rest of society, they’re way more worried about their external than the internal. They’re all about image.

There’s just one little problem. God looks at the heart. That’s why Jesus says, “Everything they do is for show” (Mt 23:5) and calls them out as “hypocrites” (Mt 23:13, 15, 23, 25, 29).

The Pharisees also see it as their job to be the religious police and call everybody out when they don’t measure up. That’s why the Lord slaps these bullies with labels like “blind guides” (Mt 23:16, 24), “blind fools” (Mt 23:17), “whitewashed tombs” (Mt 23:27), and “snakes” (Mt 23:33).

Setting the Trap

So it’s no surprise that the Pharisees have had their fill of this Galilean troublemaker. They try to ambush Him and embarrass Him publicly. Mark describes how they attempt to set our Savior up.

The author uses a word we translate as “trap” (Gr. πειραζω/peirazo) that can simply be used to describe testing something or someone in order to ascertain quality. But in a negative sense, it means to tempt or scheme maliciously in order bring out the worst and discredit somebody.

The Trapper

So it may come as no shock that this word is the basis for one of Satan’s nicknames. The tempter (Mt 4:3; 1Th 3:5). Our enemy constantly seeks to entice and take down anything associated with Jesus. The trapper is out to steal, kill, and destroy (Jn 10:10).

In what could be a scene out of “House of Cards,” the Pharisees set a trap for Jesus. But here’s the deal. You can’t set a trap for God. You’ll end up being the one in the trap! Wile E. Coyote with his truckload of products from Acme stands a better chance of taking down the Roadrunner.

Sniffing Glue

If you think you’re going to pull a fast one on the Son of God, you’re fooling yourself. You’re making a huge mistake. We need to realize that we’re not going to snooker our Savior. If we don’t, we’re just like the Pharisees. We must be sniffing glue.

Baiting the Trap

They bait the trap with the subject of divorce. They ask Jesus, “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?” (v2). It’s one of the hot button issues of the time. Hmm, some things never change.

Folks in Jesus’ day fall in line with two big-time rabbis on ending a marriage. Team Hillel believes divorce is no big deal and you can get one anytime you want. Rabbi Shammai and his followers say the Big D is the nuclear option only in cases where one spouse has been sleeping around.

Pulling the Pin

The Pharisees figure no matter which position the Nazarene takes, they’ve got Him. He’ll self-destruct. So they pull the pin on the First Century hand grenade of divorce and toss it to Jesus. Can’t you just see the smirk on their faces?

The term here in the original language for “divorce” is απολυω/apoluo. It’s actually a compound word meaning to untangle and rip apart. If you think that sounds messy, it is. It's never neat and clean…especially when you’re talking about a marriage and family.

Looking for Loopholes

A couple of thousand years later, we’re still asking the same questions. Still looking for loopholes in all the wrong places. Yeah, yeah, divorce may not be the first best choice. But let’s be real. Everybody’s doing it. (Who doesn’t hear their mom’s voice at this point asking her rhetorical question about everybody else jumping off a cliff?)

Answering a Question with a Question

Instead of taking the bait, Christ counters. “Jesus answered them with a question” (v3). No surprise, really. It’s one of His favorite ways of stirring the pot in a discussion. By one count, He does it a grand total of 29 times in the Gospels.

And in doing so, the Lord turns the tables on the Pharisees. He tosses the sticky ticking time bomb back in their laps. Here guys, catch! When He does, I wonder if He gives His disciples a sly wink.

What Does Our Heavenly Dad Say?

He asks these Bible experts a question straight from the OT (then again the OT is the Bible they’ve got at this point!). “What did Moses say in the law about divorce?” (v3).

Notice how Christ redefines the debate. This isn’t about some rabbi’s opinion on the issue. The most important thing is how God defines divorce in His Word. In other words, it’s not what you can get away with. It’s what God has commanded.

What a powerful reminder for the followers of Jesus to stop slinging our personal opinions around like an uncontrolled firehose. Instead, why don’t we see what our loving Heavenly Dad has to say?

Digging Their Own Grave

The Pharisees respond, “Well, he permitted it” (v4). These so-called religious experts see divorce as a supernatural permission slip. This is their way of saying, “Hey, the Big Mo said so!”

They go on to say, “He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away” (v4). They attempt to build their case. Little do they realize they’re really digging their own grave. They’ll discover that soon enough.

Locked and Loaded

In the meantime, the Pharisees are locked and loaded. They know exactly the passage Jesus is talking about. In in the final installment of what we call the Pentateuch or the Book in Five Parts, God gives Moses His guidelines concerning divorce. It goes a little something like this…

“Suppose a man marries a woman but she does not please him. Having discovered something wrong with her, he writes a document of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house. When she leaves the house, she is free to marry another man.

“But if the second husband also turns against her, writes a document of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away, or if he dies, the first husband may not marry her again, for she has been defiled. That would be detestable to the LORD” (Dt 24:1-4).

Reluctant Restrictions

According to John MacArthur, this passage in Deuteronomy doesn’t command, commend, condone, or even suggest divorce. It reluctantly recognizes that divorce occurs and allows it for very restricted reasons.

God isn’t giving husbands a get-out-of-marriage-free card. Instead He’s actually protecting the rights and reputation of the wife. This keeps her first husband from treating her as a piece of property or a used car.

The Cesspool Inside Us

Jesus then reminds the Pharisees why Moses included this in the law in the first place. “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts” (v5).The only reason the God had Big Mo include this loophole is because of the cesspool inside us.

The Pharisees have totally missed God’s point. Divorce is the last resort. One of those “in case of emergency break glass” sorta deals. They misunderstand God’s reluctant provision of divorce for His endorsement of it.

Hard Hearts

Let’s do a little digging into the original language, if you don’t mind. “Hard hearts” (Gr. σκληροκαρδια/sklerokardia) is actually a compound word meaning hard/harsh/rough/violent/rough/intolerable (Gr. σκληρο-/sklero-) and heart (Gr. -καρδια/-kardia). in this case, it’s referring to the seat of your spiritual life.

This is Jesus’ way of directly connecting the cruel and uncaring treatment of their wives with a lack of any real connection with their Creator. We end up treating our spouse harshly whenever our relationship with God has dried up.

A Husband’s Prayer Life

So it’s no surprise when Peter, one of the disciples we know to be married (Mk 1:30), connects how a husband treats his wife with the guy’s prayer life. “Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered” (1Pet 3:7). Something to keep in mind, gents.

Hans Bayer wants us to know this does NOT mean only hard-hearted people would ever push for divorce. Jesus’ point is that it’s because of the rebellion in our hard hearts that our marriages struggle. God provides divorce for those couples whose sin irretrievably damages their relationship.

The First Option

Don’t make the mistake of thinking God REQUIRES divorce in cases of sexual immorality. He only PERMITS it. This is a fundamental difference from First Century Judaism, which actually REQUIRED divorce in cases of adultery.

For the followers of Jesus, the first option is ALWAYS forgiveness and reconciliation. He calls us to forgive in the same way God forgives us through Christ (Eph 4:32). Only when that becomes a dead end is divorce a consideration.

Let’s not blow past the fact that forgiving a spouse for certain sins, especially unfaithfulness, is next to impossible. But I read somewhere that anything is possible when God is involved (Mt 19:26). It’s not easy but forgiveness should ALWAYS be the first option.

Fire up the Flux Capacitor

Instead of looking for reasons to end a marriage, our Savior wants us to understand the supernatural strength of the connection God gives to each marriage. And to do so, Jesus flips back to the opening pages of Genesis.

Forget what God said through Moses. Christ wants us to rewind way back to the very beginning. “But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation” (v6). Fire up the Flux Capacitor for…um, let me see…the beginning of time!

God’s Ethical Ideal

Wanna know how marriage is supposed to work? Let’s see what God says about it when He invented it (Gen 1:27). I know a lot of people think the creation story of Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden is a fairy tale. Clearly Jesus doesn’t.

Instead of ripping couples apart, the Lord discusses God’s divine glue that holds them together. Instead of a deeper discussion of divorce, He talks about God’s ethical ideal.

Adam Busts out in Song

The process begins with God creating a man and woman each in His image. Something supernatural happens when a couple comes together. We see that when we hit “play” on first parents’ wedding video.

When God the Father walks the bride down the aisle and presents Eve to her husband, the writer of Genesis says Adam busts out in song. “This one is bone from my bone and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man’” (Gen 2:23).

An Amazing Union

With the last chord of the groom’s tune still ringing in the garden, God describes the amazing union that occurs not just in the first marriage, but all marriages. “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife” (v7; Gen 2:24).

We find the key idea here in the term the NLT translates as “joined” (Gr. προσκολλαω/proskollao). It comes from a root word meaning glue. God is at work in the husband and wife creating a deeply personal connection between them. He does it through His supernatural Super Glue.

When God Ties Our Knot

This is exactly what Solomon is talking about in Ecclesiastes. He says it’s great when a couple snuggles close together in bed but there’s something even better. “Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecc 4:12). Because God is the one who actually ties our knot, it’s supernaturally strong!

God’s Marriage Math

Jesus says something miraculous happens as a result. “And the two are united into one” (v8; Gen 2:24). It’s God’s Marriage Math: 1+1=ONE! When it comes to our Creator’s original intention, there’s addition but no subtraction or division. There’s no reason to tear the marriage apart.

Everything changes for a husband and wife once our God glues them together. The bond He creates is so strong that we give up our individuality when we marry. It’s so much more than wanting the best for our spouse. Our marriage is now the top priority.

Team Marriage

“They are no longer two but one” (v8). Like in sports, it’s all about the team. Not Team Husband. Not Team Wife. It’s now Team Marriage. The “Bible-y” way of saying it is dying to self. As the old saying goes, “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team.’” It’s all about “us.”

Jesus wants us to know that God’s supernatural Super Glue creates a grip to tight that it is actually stronger than anything else in the relationship. There’s no tearing them apart without doing all sorts of damage.

Sacred Cement

The Messiah doesn’t want us to miss the divine math of marriage so He hits it one more time. “They are no longer two but one” (v8). The focus of the Pharisees may be about how to sever a couple. The Lord is looking at the sacred cement which fuses two into one.

God is about bringing people together, not splitting them apart. Ripping apart a couple that has become one flesh is brutal and messy. It’s emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually gory!

Breaking the Heart of Our Heavenly Dad

That’s why He absolutely hates divorce (Mal 2:16). The heart of our Heavenly Dad breaks over the devastation it causes to everyone involved. Husband. Wife. Children. Family. Friends.

But please hear me. There is abundant grace and forgiveness if that’s you. There’s supernatural healing for your wounds. Divorce may be brutal but it’s not unforgivable. Let the love of Jesus wash over you.

Connecting the Biblical Dots

You may love our Savior but wonder what He knows about marriage. I mean, He spends His entire earthly life single. Well, get this. The Apostle Paul connects the biblical dots from these very same verses in Genesis with Jesus and His bride.

Jesus and His Bride

“As the Scriptures say, ‘A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one” (Eph 5:31-32).

Think of it this way. Who knows more about marriage than God? He invented it. The connection a husband and wife have is a picture of His own connection to His bride. So yeah, nobody knows marriage better than Jesus.

Here Comes the King!

That’s the reason Christ goes on to warn us, “Let no one split apart what God has joined together” (v9). In doing so, He compares how a married couple now can work together like a team of powerful draft animals.

“Joined together” is the Greek verb συζευγνυμι/suzeugnumi, which paints a picture of uniting (especially in marriage) like a team of horses, mules, or oxen in order pull a heavy load. Picture those eight Clydesdales proudly strutting in front of the beer wagon.

But this is no TV commercial for the King of Beers. It’s to bring glory to the King of Kings. And because He hitches the husband and wife together, Jesus says we make a big mistake anytime we split them up.

The Divinely Ordained Dynamic Duo

Did you notice the “what” in Jesus’ statement? Read it again. “Let no one split apart WHAT God has joined together” (v9 emphasis added). The “what” is marriage. Not the “who” of the husband and wife.

You see, God didn’t just create men and women in His image. He teams them together supernaturally. Don’t break up His divinely ordained Dynamic Duo. This includes the two members of the team!

Setting a Terrible Example

Let’s face facts. As God’s people, we have done a terrible job of setting the example in marriage. Shouldn’t the followers of Jesus treat marriage with greater respect and care than society? Well, we haven’t.

And we wonder why culture ignores us when it comes to all our lip flapping about the “sanctity of marriage” and other moral issues. Let’s face facts. We’ve jumped off the moral high ground that God has given us on the issue like cliff divers in Acapulco.

Don’t go pointing fingers. Stop the name calling. Take a long look in the mirror, folks. We did this too ourselves. Sadly, we’ve gotten really good at ripping apart marriages that God glued together. And we’ve been doing it since the time of Moses.

Reviewing the Game Film

Jesus artfully dodges the Pharisees’ trap. But His disciples want to know more. “Later, when He was alone with His disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again” (v10).

It’s not the only time in Mark’s Gospel where we see Him break it down with the boys like a coach reviewing game film (Mk 4:10; 9:33). Who do you have in your life that’s willing to go deeper with on the sticky issues of life?

The Devastation of Divorce

The Lord shifts the discussion from the strength of God’s supernatural Super Glue to the devastation of divorce. “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery” (v11-12).

Over in Matthew’s version of this very same conversation, the author includes the phrase “unless his wife has been unfaithful” (Mt 19:9). Maybe Mark doesn’t include it because Christ has made it a major point in His most famous sermon (Mt 5:37).

Reserved for Husband and Wife

The term in the original language for the act of adultery here is μοιχαω/moichaο. At the most basic level, it describes when a married person jumps in the sack with someone other than their spouse. God has reserved that just for a husband and wife.

Let’s cut to the chase here. Sexual intimacy is way more than just which body parts are involved. If you’re married, you have no business doing anything that draws you close to someone of the opposite sex who’s not your spouse.

A Slippery Slope

Emotional intimacy with anyone of the opposite sex other than your marriage partner is isn’t just a slippery slope. It’s sin. Plain and simple.

So, guys, don’t share struggles with your wife with lady in the cubicle next to you. And stop fooling yourself, ladies. Don’t buy the lie that the cute guy you met “gets you” way more than your knucklehead husband.

Cheating on God

It should come as no surprise that μοιχαω/moichaο comes from a root word that simply means unfaithfulness. Not just to your husband or wife but in your relationship with God.

That’s why God compares replacing Him as the object of our worship with something else as spiritual adultery (Is 1:21; Jer 3:6-9; Ezek 16:30-40; 23:3-10, Rev 2:20-22). When we do, we cheat on the One who loves us most dearly.

A Hooker Named Gomer

And if those passages don’t get His point across, God has the prophet Hosea marry a hooker named Gomer (as if that’s not bad enough!). This is no OT version of “Pretty Woman.” She continues her career as a working girl and time after time her husband has to rescue her and bring her home.

Through these stories, God wants us to understand just how badly His heart breaks whenever we give our hearts away to anything less than Him. He created us in His image and for a relationship with Him.

Faithful Relationships

You may wonder what your relationship with Jesus has to do with your relationship with your spouse. Valid question. There is a powerful connection. When we’re faithful to God, there’s a pretty good chance we’ll be faithful to our marriage partner.

For more of God’s guidance on marriage and divorce, please check out Paul’s instructions to the church in Corinth (1Cor 7). The apostle tries to untangle a few of the problems that occur when the followers of Jesus wrestle with when it comes to their faith and their spouse.

A Review of God’s Glue

I don’t have to tell you that marriage problems are incredibly sticky. Pulling couples is messy and painful. That’s because of the bond God uses to fuse a husband and wife together is connects like nothing else.

A quick review of His glue…

• A husband “is joined to his wife” (v7 emphasis added).
•  “The two are united into one” (v7 emphasis added).
• “They are no longer two but one” (v7 emphasis added).
• “Let no one split apart what God has joined together” (v7 emphasis added).

I’m sure Flex Glue is good stuff. Who wouldn’t want something that has “insta-grab” and can stick a brick to the ceiling? But it’s basically a little kid's glue stick compared the supernatural Super Glue of marriage.

©2019

Jay Jennings

Power Couples and Famous Families

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus” (2Tim 4:19).

Headliners Making Headlines

Let’s face it, we love us some power couples. The tabloids can't wait for a pair of headliners to start making headlines together. Kim Kardashian and Kanye. Beyonce and Jay Z. Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady. Sometimes we even give them their own little cutesie pet name like Bennifer or Brangelina.

And then you have entire families who are famous in entertainment, politics, or business. The Kennedys. The Jacksons. Dare I say, the Simpsons? Sometimes just a surname ensures celebrity.

A Couple and a Family

Near the end of his very last letter, a man named Paul mentions a particular husband and wife as well as one of his favorite families. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus” (v19).

Let’s be honest. We’ll never see Prisca and Aquila on magazine covers in the checkout line. Don’t hold your breath for the Onesiphorus family to star on a reality TV show. But their seemingly small mention in a First Century document introduces us both to a true power couple and famous family used by God is big ways to spread His Gospel.

A Very Personal Note

Before we check out the folks Paul mentions, let’s check out why he’s writing in the first place. The calendar reads late in the year of 67 AD. The place is a Roman prison (2Tim 1:8, 16). The apostle knows he has just days left in this dungeon before his execution (2Tim 4:6-7).

That being the case, you can understand why this is the most personal and raw letter in the entire Bible. Paul writes to someone he considers his spiritual son (1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2). He’s left the young pastor to lead the church he planted in Ephesus, a large port city on the west coast of Asia Minor (1Tim 1:3).

A Pair of Purposes

Knowing his time left on this side of heaven is rapidly running out, the apostle fires off one last letter with two basic purposes. One, strongly encourage Tim as he passes him the baton of ministry (2Tim 2:1-4:5). God has given Paul a great run but it is about over.

Two, plead for one final visit before it’s too late (2Tim 4:9, 21). He may be Jesus’ handpicked spokesperson to non-Jews, but that doesn’t mean he’s immune to loneliness.

Nearing the End

We’re near the end of the last words Paul will ever write. The Lord has used him in amazing ways over the past 30-plus years. Just check out his resume. Former Pharisee (Phil 3:5). From murderer of Jesus’ followers to missionary of His message (Acts 7:58-8:3).

At least four major Mediterranean tours telling people about Jesus. Planter of at least 14 churches. Discipled key leaders of the early church like Timothy, Titus, Silas, Mark, and Luke just to name a few. Writer of no less than 13 books of the Bible and 28% of what we call the New Testament.

Give Them a Hug

Paul spends the final strokes of his pen telling Tim to send his best to some very special friends. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus” (v19). Just who are these folks? Why did the apostle feel the need to reach out to them at such a dark and desperate time of his life?

First of all, he urges Timothy pay his respects to them. The word we translate as “greet” (Gr. ασπαζομαι/aspozomai) means to embrace, express good wishes, or show honor to someone. But this is so much more than just firm handshake. The term carries a ton of intimacy. It comes from a root word that describes drawing someone close. Paul wants Tim to give them a hug for him.

Kisses for Christ?

That certainly makes sense. For heaven’s sake, they’re family members as brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul and his buddy Peter both go so far as to tell us to pucker up whenever we run into a fellow follower of Jesus (Rom 16:16; 1Pet 5:14). Hint: you may want to keep a few Tic Tacs handy.

I realize everybody is not a “hugger” like me. There are some of us who get a little freaked out when anyone enters their personal space to hug their neck. But let’s be willing to do what we can to show folks the love of Jesus when we see them. Can you at least spare a high five?

Husband and Wife

Paul first mentions “Prisca and Aquila” (v19). These are two of his oldest friends in the faith. Dr. Luke tells us that they first met over in Corinth around 51-52 AD. “And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome” (Acts 18:2).

So Aquila is a Jewish follower of Jesus from Pontus, a province on the northern coast of what we know today as Turkey. He’s married to the lovely Priscilla. Apparently the apostle became such good friends with them that he called her by the nickname Prisca (Rom 16:3; 1Cor 16:19). If you know Paul, you know how much he loves a good nickname.

They meet in Corinth because the Emperor Claudius has kicked out all the followers of Christ fro the capital. This foreshadows the coming persecution of the church that puts Paul in prison a few years later. In 64 AD, Nero will pin the blame of the great fire of Rome on the disciples of the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth.

Business Partners

Luke goes on to say that Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul went into business together in Corinth since they were all tentmakers (Acts 18:3). They went out of their way NOT to be a financial burden to these fledgling church plants. Sometimes the apostle supports himself and preaches free of charge (1Cor 9:3-18; 2Cor 11:7). But he also clearly accepts money from other churches (2Cor 11:8-9; Phil 4:15-18).

After local Jews attack the apostle and try to get Corinthian city leaders to shut him down (Acts 18:12-17), Paul hops a ship to Syria and takes “with him Priscilla and Aquila” (Acts 18:18). He drops them off at Ephesus along the way (Acts 18:19).

Assisting Apollos

Luke tells us that while this power couple is in E City, they run into an incredible speaker and teacher named Apollos. God was using him to have a huge impact for the kingdom. There was just one problem. “he knew only of the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25).

One day before Apollos speaks at the Ephesian synagogue, Priscilla and Aquila “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26). It worked like a champ. A little later when he hits Achaia, “he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus” (Acts 18:28).

The couple fills in the blanks for Apollos. He knew about the One promised by God to come to our rescue. He just didn’t know Jesus is the coming Messiah. They explain to him how the Lord lived the perfect life we could never live. How He died the death for our sin we should have died. How He rose to the new life we could never earn. How He lovingly leads us through His commands.

Making Others Better

Notice what they didn’t do. Aquila and Priscilla could have grabbed the mic and taken the lead. They had every right since Apollos didn’t have the latest news on Jesus. Instead they coach up on Christ and cut him loose. What a humbling reminder of how the Lord calls us to empower others and “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph 4:12).

God uses them to make Apollos more effective. They’re not afraid to gently confront someone and set them straight. You can see why Paul hangs out with them so much. Who doesn’t love to spend time around people who make you better? Iron sharpens iron, baby. Iron sharpens iron (Prov 27:17).

Opening Your Home

As the apostle finishes one of his letters to the Corinthian church, he tells them that “Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord” (1Cor 16:19). They open up their home as a safe place for the followers of Jesus. Do I ever host others at my house? Let’s all be ready and willing to be share our lives and our living rooms with each other.

Top Billing

They are in Rome when Paul writes to believers there. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the church of the Gentiles give thanks as well” (Rom 16:3-4). Have you noticed how the order of their names flip flips from time to time? Twice Aquila gets top billing but the other four times it’s Prisca.

You might not think this is anything to worry about. But in the ancient world, this is a VERY big deal. Chances are Priscilla takes the lead in whatever they’re doing. Aquila has clearly out-kicked his coverage. He’s married a strong, confident woman. Paul tips us off that Prisca often takes the lead in ministry.

There’s Something about Mary

It fits the pattern. The Lord scandalously broke cultural rules by allowing ladies to learn at His feet. As a result, some of Jesus most devoted followers were females like Mary Magdelene, Mary the mother of the Sons of Thunder, Jesus’ own mom Mary, as well as Lazarus’ sisters Mary and Martha. When it comes to following Jesus, maybe there IS something about Mary!

The long list of ladies serving Jesus doesn’t stop there. There’s Tabitha AKA Dorcas over in Joppa (Acts 9:36). John Mark’s mom Mary (Acts 12:12)…yup, another “Mary.” Lydia, the Philippian fashionista (Acts 16:14-15). The young girl Paul freed from both human trafficking and demon possession (Acts 16:16-18). Phoebe serving the church in Cenchreae (Rom 16:1-2). Do I need to go on?

Letting Your Wife Shine

So Priscilla is clearly in good company. She and her husband work as a team for God’s kingdom. Aquila is a dude secure enough in who he is in Jesus that he steps aside to let his wife shine. What a great example of sacrificing himself so that his wife could become all that God has created her to be.

Don’t make mistake of thinking Aquila’s a doormat. He knows full well that he and Prisca are one flesh (Gen 2:24; Eph 5:31). As teammates, they willingly submit to one another as an act of worship to Jesus (Eph 5:21). They are truly a power couple when it comes to serving Christ.

The Spiritual Head

But isn’t the husband supposed to be the spiritual head in the marriage (1Cor 11:3)? No question. But head does NOT mean dictator. It points to the one God will hold accountable.

Take the first marriage as an example. Eve is the one who listens to the satanic snake and sins first (Gen 3:6). But God holds her husband accountable for not leading and protecting his bride (Gen 3:9-11, 17-19). For Pete’s sake, the dude was right there when it all went down!

Serving Side-by-Side

Prisca and Aquila are a powerful example of how a husband and wife can serve our Savior side-by-side. I’m not saying you always have to be part of the same team serving at your church. But why not give it a shot? It’s one very practical way that a spouse can die to self and spend more time with the one they love. Why spend time apart while one of you serves at a different time or on a different day? Be a power couple for Jesus.

Back in Paul’s last letter, he also tells Timothy to also say “hello” to “the household of Onesiphorus” (v19). This is the second time he mentions the Big O and his family in the note. Clearly the guy with a very strange name and his famous family have a very special place in his heart.

Code Name Onesiphorus?

Near the beginning of the epistle he writes, “May the lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me—may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you know well all the service he rendered at Ephesus” (2Tim 1:16-18).

So who is this guy? Let’s face it, not too many parents are naming their sons Onesiphorus these days. And there’s a good chance that’s not his real name at all. Remember, Paul is serving hard time in Caesar’s SuperMax. He may be giving the Big O a nickname. Could this like a code name so he wouldn’t blow his cover during the brutal persecution of Jesus’ followers in the empire?

Just Call Him “Benny”

Whether it’s his real name or not, what does Onesiphorus mean? The Greek word (Gr. Ονεσιφορος/Onesiphorus) describes someone who is profitable and beneficial. Let’s call him “Benny.” See what I did there?

When he’s around, he always makes sure your life runs in the black, not in the red. Someone with that sort of rep would certainly be enthusiastic, friendly, likable, courageous, fiery, passionate, and have a deep faith. Yeah, the Big O is anything but a big zero.

Leaving a Legacy

There’s a big question as to whether the Benny is still alive when Paul writes to Timothy. This could be why the apostle asks for Jesus to bless “the household of Onesiphorus” (v16). While we can’t be 100% sure of Onesiphorus’ status, Paul certainly asks Christ for an extra heapin’ helpin’ of mercy when the Lord returns for His ultimate encore (v18).

This husband and father not only made a huge impact on the apostle but his own relatives as well. Since Timothy’s leading the church in Ephesus, there’s a solid chance his wife and kids are key contributors to that congregation. If Jesus has called Onesiphorus home by the time Paul writes, it’s clear his legacy of serving the Lord lives on in his famous family.

Get in the Game

If you’re a husband, father, and grandfather like me, what sort of spiritual leadership are you and I providing? Mike Lee says that God’s Word is clear that Dad is God’s preferred channel of guidance and blessing in the family.

The problem is too many of us haven’t just dropped the ball but never even picked it up. Our abdication of God’s call has forced our wives to step into spiritual leadership. That’s a position they were never born to play. Guys, get off the bench and get in the game. Your wife needs you. Your kids need you.

Initiate Not Dominate

As husbands and fathers, we’re to initiate, not dominate. The best way we can love our kids is by loving their mom. In a letter to his Ephesian friends, Paul calls married men to “love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph 5:25). Jesus sacrificed everything for His bride. We’re called to do the same.

A little later in that same letter, the apostle gets up in the grill of dads as well. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). Are we needlessly ticking off our kids with an regular and very unhealthy dose of because-I-said-so?

Follow Paul’s not-so-subtle command here. Lead, teach, and guide the same way Jesus did. Sure there are times we’ll need to be firm. No question about it. But never miss a teachable moment. And it’s never too early to start. Trust me on this. Every single day I regret the countless moments I missed to love and lead my own kids like the Lord.

Leading the Way

Being the spiritual leader for your family means leading the way in the ways of God. Lead the way in love. Lead in honesty. Lead in integrity. Lead in generosity. Lead in forgiveness. Lead in confession. Lead in repentance. Think about the power of confessing and repenting to your child for losing your cool as a dad.

Here’s a critical point to remember. While it’s imperative that we love our spouse and our kids, God loves them more than you do. I mean WAY more!! And a huge part of our role is to remind them of the overwhelming love of the Dad above.

Modeling Our Heavenly Dad

As fathers, we will impact our family’s view of our Heavenly Father more than we will ever realize. While we can never be perfect (remember that repentance thing we talked about?), we should seek His strength and guidance to be the husband and father He’s called us to be.

There’s little doubt that Onesiphorus’ spiritual investment in his wife and kids led to Paul dropping his name not once but twice in this letter. God clearly used Benny to leave an amazing legacy. His family certainly is famous in the best way possible…famous for making Jesus famous!

Famous for Faith

So there you have it. First of all, the ultimate biblical power couple, Priscilla and Aquila. Second, a family famous for its faith. You won’t see them on the covers of tabloids in the checkout line or featured on Entertainment Tonight. And maybe that’s a good thing.

©2017 Jay Jennings

At Home with the Deacons

“Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well” (1Tim 3:12).

Meet the Deacon family. Dad is a hard-working dude with a ton of integrity. Despite putting in a full day on the job, he still saves his best for the fam. They’re not getting leftovers when it comes to his energy and attention. As a husband, he’s all in. As a dad, he’s fully involved. He has a strong grasp on the family calendar, commitments, and cash flow.

Paul tells Timothy that this is exactly the kind of guy you’re looking for to serve in the local church. “Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well” (v12). Deacs are faithful husbands, loving fathers, and servant/leaders on the home front. 

You’re next deacon is probably not coming from a network sitcom. Primetime is loaded with an endless parade of knucklehead husbands and incompetent dads. You know who I’m talking about. George Bluth, Sr. on Frank Costanza of “Seinfeld” fame. And of course, everyone’s favorite punchline…Homer Simpson. Hilarious? No question about it. Deacon material? I don’t think so. Think Andy Taylor and Ward Cleaver.

Paul needs his protege to immediately address the leadership void in the Ephesian church. The apostle has been cleaning up the mess left by a team of false teachers. He’s already taken out some of the trash when he sent two of worst packing, a despicable duo known as Hymenaeus and Alexander (1Tim 1:20). Now that Paul is on mission in Macedonia, he’s appointed his spiritual son Timothy as the new pastor in Ephesus. Priority one is continuing the reforms already underway (1Tim 1:3-7). 

Once the bad leaders are out the door, Tim needs to find godly folks to fill those empty seats. Paul tells him to appoint men he calls overseers (1Tim 3:1-7). Elsewhere, authors of the NT tell call them elders and pastors. It should come as no surprise that these guys have clear vision. God calls these fellas to look out for the spiritual health of the flock. 

The apostle also tells Tim to find servants called deacons. As a matter of fact, the word we translate as “deacon” (Gr. diakonos) actually means “servant” (1Tim 3:8-10). This position is open to both godly men and women (1Tim 3:11). The role of deacon is not for the faint of heart. That’s why they must be people of great integrity and faithful followers of Jesus.

(A significant amount of the following material comes from a couple of other notes I wrote previously, “The 100% Husband” on 1 Timothy 3:2 and “A Family Man” on 1 Timothy 3:4-5. That only makes sense since Paul himself is doing the first century version of cut-and-paste when it comes to the qualities of both overseers and deacons.)

First of all, a deacon should “each be the husband of one wife” (v12). Look familiar? Well it should. Just up the page, the apostle included it as a key trait of an overseer. Digging a little deeper into the original Greek reveals a few interesting and important points. “The husband of one wife” (v2) we see in the ESV literally reads “one woman man.” “One” (Gr. heis, mia, hen) describes the one and only, the single one, a particular one. A deacon is to have one and only one lady in his life. Other than his relationship with Jesus, she’s the top priority in his life. He’s a 100% husband. 

Having a singular and devoted relationship also means we need to be careful with our friendships with the other sex. As followers of Jesus, men are to see woman as their treasured sisters, not targets. Men also need to be on high alert when it comes to sharing our hurts and hopes with women friends. Part of being a “one woman man” means you don’t have a so-called “work wife.” Stop chatting online with your old girlfriends on Facebook. And yeah, you need to trash that Tinder account. Stop trying to swing like Tiger Woods (and I’m NOT talking about on the golf course!). A deacon is totally devoted and a 100% husband.

The rest of the original language in this phrase, “woman” (Gr. gune, gunaikos) and “man” (Gr. aner, andros) emphasize gender and maturity. They describe males and females old enough to be married. Why is that important? Because this really has zip, zilch, zero to say about divorce and everything to do with moral and sexual purity. There are a lot of churches and denominations who take “the husband of one wife” (v2) to mean an overseer or deacon can’t be divorced. The only problem with that is the rest of this list is all about character qualities and integrity, not marital status. 

A deacon also is a guy who’s “managing their children and their own households well” (v12). “Managing” is the Greek verb proistemi, which literally means to place before or to set over something. It conveys putting yourself in a responsibility of leadership, guidance, and care. A deacon devotes himself to guard and provide protective accountability to life back home. To paraphrase the folks at UnderArmour, deacons must protect this house.

Let’s take a quick look at how Paul uses this word elsewhere to get a better idea of what he’s talking about. Just about every time it’s all about passion, commitment, loyalty, and devotion. Every person who follows Jesus must “devote (Gr. proistemi) themselves to good works” (Titus 3:8, 14). When running down a list of spiritual gifts, the apostle says “the one who leads (Gr. proistemi), with zeal” (Rom 12:8). 

Even for rock star pastors, elders, and deacons, the church NEVER takes priority over the family. Ever. At no point in the Bible does God ever ask a leader to sacrifice his family on the altar of the church. Your wife and kids are ALWAYS your number one ministry. Keep the home fires burning but make sure it never becomes a dumpster fire. If and when your marriage and family are spinning wildly out of control, it’s time for counseling not deacon meetings.  

But don’t think this is only limited to his wife and kids. The phrase about “managing…their own households well” (v12) clearly indicates a husband and father who’s completely plugged in to everything going on at home. Is he fully involved in the family finances. Does he expect his wife to bear the full brunt of running the household by herself while he plays golf or watches SportsCenter? Does he have a clue of what’s going on with the kids at school? 

You do know why Jesus is looking for deacons who are great husbands and fathers, don’t you? The reason should be obvious. If not, it’s found back in 1 Timothy 3:5. “For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?” (v5). Just as a husband and father is accountable for his marriage and family, an overseer is accountable for the church. No leadership at home equals no leadership at church.

It should come as no shock that Jesus gives us the perfect picture of what that looks like. But Christ was never married, you say. The Rabbi/Carpenter never hooked up with any lady during His 33 years on the earth because He already had a bride. His church. He was and is fully devoted to her. Paul tells the men of Ephesus that Jesus is our example of the perfect Husband (Eph 5:25-33). He loves her completely. He loves her sacrificially. He is the ultimate woman Man. Full devoted. Totally faithful. Spectacular spouse.

So a great deacon at church is a great husband at home. A great deacon at church is a great dad at home. They may make for a boring sitcom character but they’re just the kind of servant/leaders our Lord is looking for.