Be Ready for Every Good Work
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Final Instructions and Greetings
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all
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1 comment:
Confrontation is never pleasant, and I tend to avoid it. But at times, we have to, and if we have to, Paul teaches here that we must do so (v1, v8) with 'the truth'.
Remind about God's truth. Insist on God's truth. Teach only teach what accords with sound doctrine (Ch 2:1) Otherwise we end up with foolish controversies. Some will agree with you and others may react badly. But that shouldn't be our problem. Verses 10 and 11 suggest 'Three strikes and you are out!!' After the third attempt, move on. God will do his own work in them since he says: 'They are self-condemned'
Still,'Have nothing to do with them' doesn't mean we can't keep praying for them'. We were like that ourselves once (v3), and the same goodness and kindness of God that appeared to us will appear to them in God's own time. He's a merciful God.
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