An Essay on the Character of the Apostle Paul, Considered as an Example and Pattern of a minister of Jesus Christ # 5

An Essay on the Character of the Apostle Paul Considered as an Example and Pattern of a Minister of Jesus Christ #5

He saw too many false teachers, who, under the sanction of a minister, made merchandise of souls, and he not only severely censured them - but by this self-denial, which they were unable to imitate - he manifested the vanity of their pretenses in setting themselves forth as the apostles of Christ. This seems to have been his chief design in it, and the reason of his repeating, with so much earnestness, his determination to take nothing from the Corinthians, who were too much inclined to listen to some of these teachers, to his disadvantage. But whatever parade they  might make of gifts or zeal, or however they might presume to equal themselves to him in other respects; he knew they would not attempt to share with him - in the glory of preaching the Gospel freely, which was diametrically inconsistent with their whole design!

The circumstances with us are so far different, that, in proposing Paul as a pattern of unselfishness, we do not lay a stress upon his preaching the Gospel without expense to his hearers. Yet, in his noble contempt of worldly advantage, and making everything stoop to the great ends of his mission - he stands as a precedent to all Christian ministers in succeeding times! In those passages of his epistles to Timothy and Titus, where the negative part of a minister's character is given, this is constantly one branch of it; and as constantly the word is compounded with the epithet, filthy - "not given to filthy lucre," to intimate that nothing can be more dishonest or dishonorable, than to enter the Christian ministry for mercenary reasons! Nor is this the judgment of Scripture only - but the general voice of mankind.

Nothing is a greater bar to a minister's usefulness, or renders his person and labors more contemptible, than a known attachment to money, a grasping fist, and a hard heart! Those who enter into the pastor's office for filthy lucre, who are less concerned for the flock - than fleece, who employ all their arts and influence to exchange a lesser benefit for a greater, or to superadd one benefit to another - may obtain the reward they seek! But of all the methods of acquiring wealth, which do not directly expose a man to the lash of human laws - this is the most to be lamented and avoided!

If the Scriptures are true; if Paul was a servant of Christ; and if the authority of his precepts and example is still binding - a day will come when mercenary preachers will wish they had begged their bread from door to door, or been chained as slaves to the oar of a galley for life - rather than have presumed to intrude into the church upon such base and unworthy motives! It is to be feared that too many read the awful denunciations upon this head, in the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel with indifference, as supposing they only relate to the Jews who lived at that time. But they are equally applicable to all who prostitute the Word and worship of God - to the purposes of ambition and avarice!

6. From the foregoing particulars we may collect the idea of true Christian zeal, as exemplified in our apostle. Hardly any word in our language is more misunderstood or abused, than zeal. It is used in the New Testament in both a good or bad sense - and it is considered as a vice or virtue, according to its object and principle.

In the BAD sense it sometimes denotes envy, indignation, or disdain, an obstinate and ignorant opposition to the truth, a misguided warmth in unnecessary things, and a contentious, disputatious temper. A zeal replete with these traits has too frequently been the bane and opprobrium of the Christian church!

But, "It is GOOD to be zealous, provided the purpose is good," (Galatians 4:17) and then it is sinful to be otherwise. Our passions were not given us in vain. When the judgment is well informed, and the understanding duly enlightened by the Word of God: the more warmth - the better.

But this warmth and earnestness, in an ignorant or prejudiced person, is dangerous and hurtful to himself and others! False zeal spends its strength in defense of names and forms, the externals of religion, or the inventions of men! False zeal would willingly call for fire from heaven; but, unable to do this, it kindles the flame of persecution, and, if not providentially restrained, wages war with the peace, comfort, and liberty of all who disdain to wear its chains. The objects it seeks to harm are generally the quiet in the land, and those who worship God in spirit and truth. In a word false zeal resembles the craft by which it works - and is earthly, sensual, devilish.

But the true Christian zeal is a heavenly gentle flame. It shines and warms - but knows not to destroy. It is the Spirit of Christ, infused with a sense of His love into the heart. It is a generous philanthropy and benevolence, which, like the light of the sun, diffuses itself to every object, and longs to be the instrument of good, if possible, to the whole race of mankind. A sense of the worth of souls, the importance of unseen and eternal realities, and the dreadful condition of unawakened sinners - makes it, indeed, earnest and importunate; but this it shows - not by bitterness and constraint - but by an unwearied perseverance in attempting to overcome evil with good. It returns blessings for curses, prayers for harsh treatment, and, though often reviled and affronted, cannot be discouraged from renewed efforts to make others partakers of the happiness itself possesses. 

~John Newton~

(continued with # 6)