And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 20:18-21
In our text today, the apostle Paul is describing to the Ephesian elders the type of ministry he had as he served their souls for three years. His ministry in Ephesus seemed typical of his pattern everywhere else–he started preaching in the synagogue, and after being rejected by the majority of the Jews, he separated from them and taught elsewhere. As usual, the preaching of the gospel eventually brought intense persecution that threatened his life. It may be easy for us to gloss over such events. Surely Paul was used to resistance by now, but v. 19 in the above passage really hit home with me. We’re not reading about some cold, mechanical process. This brother gave his heart and soul to the ministry, “serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials”. He adds in v. 31, “I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” His heart was tender towards these souls, and it grieved him deeply that any would reject eternal salvation in Jesus Christ!
This recap of Paul’s manner of life was not given in order to toot his own horn; rather, he was reminding the Ephesian elders of how they ought to minister to the church. In addition to serving them with humility and tears, the apostle notes that he “kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you”. (v. 20) What a difference such a mindset would make in our speech from day-to-day if we measured our words against this goal! Such was the apostle’s resolve. If it was beneficial, he gave it to them; if it would hinder, he kept it back. In a word, he gave the church only that which would edify their souls.
In Rom 14, we find that Christians are often at different levels of maturity. Because of these various stages in our spiritual growth, we are prone to different temptations, and thus we must be careful that any liberty we have in Christ not cause another brother or sister to stumble because of their weaker conscience. Continuing with this thought, the apostle begins Rom 15 by stating: “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples [of conscience] of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” If we will be Christ-centered, then we will in turn be others-centered rather than self-centered. So, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.” Just Paul practiced in Ephesus, we should seek to build others up in the faith rather than say and do that which would tear them down. Why? Because ultimately, that pattern reflects the Lord Jesus! “For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” (v. 1-3)
It should be obvious to us that words of cruelty and unkindness are not edifying, but even good, religious things can be detrimental when used improperly. Such was the case in the church at Corinth. During a time when the Spirit was manifesting Himself in miraculous ways, they had hearts more focused on spiritual gifts than the Giver of those gifts, and so the use of those gifts were hindering rather than helping. In 1Co 14:1, Paul instructed them to, “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” Why the emphasis on prophesying? Well, to prophesy was simply to speak as inspired by God with clarity for all to understand. The benefit of this gift in contrast to others is seen clearly in v. 4: “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” The reason that the gift of prophecy should have been first on the Corinthians list is because the entire church benefited from it! Our activity within the assembly should always be judged by this purpose. “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.”(v. 12)
With that goal in mind, the apostle asked a valid question in v. 26, “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.” If my goal is to build up myself alone, then it makes perfect sense that I should always want to be the one speaking, singing, and teaching. But does that attitude reflect the humility with which Paul served the Ephesians? Of course not! Nor does it reflect the servant’s heart that our Lord possessed. If the point is the good of others, then we won’t care who speaks, as long as God is glorified and His people are built up in faith. Thus, Paul reiterates one more time at the end of this verse, “Let all things be done for edification.” So next time, before we speak or act, let us examine our intentions to be sure we are motivated by a desire to eternally benefit all affected by what we do and say. The most glorious attribute of God is reflected in our lives when we live with this singular purpose because “love edifies”. (1Co 8:1)
Jamie