Verse 8
Though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee
Mingled command and entreaty
The balance and propriety of St.
Paul’s language in this place is not always understood. He does not say “I have no right at all to command you,” but “authority I have to command your obedience--not, indeed, of earthly rank, but in the sphere of Christ.” This mingled tone of command and entreaty is the exact reflex of the mingled respect and affection which, in his earliest Epistle, he claims for the ministerial office (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). There are two spirits which have prevailed in the Christian ministry at different times and in different circumstances--the spirit of the heirarch and the spirit of the religious demagogue. St. Paul’s tone here shows that he was too humble for the first, too full of gentle dignity for the second. (Bp. Wm. Alexander.)
Authoritative in Christ
He has no authority in himself, but he has in Christ. His own personality gives him none, but his relation to his Master does. It is a distinct assertion of right to command, and an equally distinct repudiation of any such right, except as derived from his union with Jesus. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
Ministerial boldness
Ministers may be bold in the execution of their office.
1. God commands it (Jeremiah 1:17).
2. It is that which they themselves beg by earnest prayers at the hand of God (Acts 4:29-30; Ephesians 6:18-19).
3. The dignity of their office requires it (2 Corinthians 5:20).
4. God’s protection may encourage unto it (Jeremiah 1:18).
5. It procures admiration even with the very enemies (Acts 4:13). (W. Jones, D. D.)
The ministerial office is one of power and authority
1. If we consider the names that are given unto them, and the honourable titles whereby they are called, we shall be moved to confess their calling to be accompanied with power under Christ. If, then, the true ministers of Christ be fathers, shepherds, ambassadors, and captains under Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, their office cannot be without jurisdiction and authority over the people of God committed to their charge.
2. If we consider the fruits and effects that are ascribed in the Word to the ministers of the Word, we shall see that their ministry is joined with authority. They are the means to bring us to the knowledge of Christ, to the bosom of the Church, and to the kingdom of heaven. Their office is to convert sinners and to save souls.
3. There is a cooperation of God and the minister’s office together, and an admirable sympathy between them. If, then, God and the minister do work together, he may lawfully enjoin men to do their duties.
Uses--
1. (1) It condemneth those that think the ministers proud and presumptuous, and accuse them as saucy and malapert when they command us from the Lord as His ambassadors, and arrest us for our sins as His sergeants. It is their duty not only to teach and admonish, go exhort, and to comfort, but to convince and reprove, to threaten, and to denounce judgments from God against the obstinate and impenitent.
(2) It reproveth those that account the ministers their vassals and slaves, whereas the case of a pastor is not to be made an underling or a block for everyone to insult and tread.
(3) The high excellency of this calling reproveth those that account the office too base and low for them and for their children. Many there are that live by the gospel that are ashamed to preach the gospel.
(4) If it be a calling of such dignity, it reproveth those that run before they be sent, and wait not a lawful calling from God, that they may discharge it afterward with peace of heart and comfort of conscience.
(5) It reproveth such as regard not the censures of the Church inflicted upon evil doers.
2. Seeing boldness to command under Christ belongeth to the office of minister, it teacheth us and putteth us in mind of many good duties; as--
(1) To ask this gift of God, and crave of Him to endue us with the zeal of His glory and other graces of His spirit, that we may speak the Word boldly, as we ought to speak.
(2) It teacheth the ministers not to lose their authority, and so to shame their calling, and their Master that hath put them in their calling, bringing themselves and their ministry under the subjection and slavery of others.
(3) It teacheth the ministers to take heed they abuse not their authority and turn it into tyranny, but employ it unto edification, not to the destruction of the Church, or any member thereof.
(4) It serveth for instruction of the people, that they despise not the ministry of the Word, but alway be ready to hear it with reverence. For wheresoever there is authority in the speaker there should be fear and reverence in the hearer. (W. Attersoll.)
Wise ministerial exhortation
I. Observe, first, in the example of the apostle, that ministers must deal in the mildest and gentlest manner that may be with their hearers, entreating, persuading, exhorting, beseeching, even then when they may lawfully command.
II. Observe, further, in Paul’s example, that sometimes we are to yield of our right, neither always may we do those things which of themselves are lawful and indifferent. Here, then, is condemned the tenacity and temerity of some in the use of that liberty which the Word hath granted them in things indifferent. Their tenacity, that they hold their own stiffly, and will not let go the least part of their right, though the glory of God and good of their brethren do earnestly crave it at their hands. Their temerity, not only that they themselves rush venturously upon all things that in themselves are lawful, not considering whether in regard of some circumstances it may not be unlawful for them, what inconvenience may ensue, what hurt may also arise to the gospel, but also censure and condemn others, who, kept back by Christian wisdom and charity, dare not run with them to the same excessive use of their liberty. Let them remember that Paul, in this place, having much liberty of commanding, yet chose rather to entreat.
III. Observe, thirdly, what it is that will make a Christian abridge himself sometimes of the use of his liberty; namely, the love of God and our brethren. For love’s sake I rather beseech thee. For this is reckoned among the properties of love by the apostle; that it seeketh not her own, but His, whom it loveth. If God’s glory and the Church’s good be dear unto us, we will not use our liberty to the full in those things which may hinder and hurt both. (D. Dyke, B. D.)
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