Great Friends
Good morning,
We will always find people in each area of life who are exceptional, and according to their role or their place in life, it is proper to give them the honor that is due them.
Romans 13:7 “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
This verse in Romans tells us that there are people in political positions who deserve appropriate honor and even fear.
In 1 Corinthians 16, Paul spoke of some unusual Christians, people who also deserve unusual honor.
Timothy
1 Corinthians 16:10 "Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.”
vs. 11 “Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.”
Timothy began traveling with Paul as a very young man. According to verse 10, he did the same work Paul did regarding church planting, soul winning, and preaching. At Corinth, Paul wanted to be sure that when Timothy got to this new city, he could do God’s work without fear and that no one would despise him. Paul also wanted to be sure people would help Timothy along on his journey and not look down on him for any reason. Timothy was not an apostle, but Paul said that he was worthy of special treatment.
The House of Stephanas
God also mentions the family of a man named Stephanas. It appears that he was one of the first people saved in his area and that he was a great leader in his church; it was said that he was “addicted to the ministry.”
1 Corinthians 16:15 “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)”
vs. 16 "That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.”
Stephanas’ family was such that Paul wanted them lifted up and honored, a family that people would be wise to trust and to follow.
Verse 16 ends with an interesting statement, “…and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.” Paul urged the body of believers to submit themselves and to choose to follow the leadership and wisdom of, “…every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.”
Paul said nothing about following the businessman, the smooth talker, or the bold and confident leader, but he did say the church would be wise to follow and trust the leadership of those common people who are addicted to the ministry.
In a culture that idolizes an athlete, a singer, or a movie star, I am amazed how often we struggle with giving honor to people who are servants of God. Paul certainly did not teach that kind of Christianity.
You can look around our church and find people who punch a clock in a secular job forty to sixty hours a week, but they are tireless laborers and even addicted to the Bible and the ministry of the Gospel. What a blessing to have people among us whom we can honor and look to for wisdom.
Pastor