A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE -- Tomorrow:
"Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place." (2 Cor 2:12-14)
Devotion 8 of 24
" . . . and a door . . . "
Most all of the versions read "door." One exception is the New Living Translation which reads, "a tremendous opportunity."
From the standpoint of language, or lexically, a "door" is "that through which a rush is made . . . an entrance, way or passage into . . . used of the opportunity of doing something" (THAYER), and "an opening for entrance or exit . . . as of what is a possible or feasible opportunity" (FRIBERG).
Therefore, the text is speaking of the presentation of an opportunity to do something – something productive for God. It is a Divine provision whereby Paul was able to pass from one area of Kingdom activity to another – from one detail to another.
Other references to such a "door" are as follows:
1. John 10:7,9 – An opportunity to become part of the fold of Jesus. "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep . . . I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
2. Acts 14:27 – An opportunity to believe: "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27).
3. First Corinthians 16:9 – An opportunity to serve the Lord: "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries" (1 Cor 16:9).
4. Colossians 4:3 – An opportunity to speak: "Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds" (Col 4:3).
Therefore, while Paul was in Troas, a special opportunity was opened to him – an opportunity directly relating to the commission Jesus had given to him (Acts 26:20).
Several things can be learned from this expression.
1. There are opportunities, created by the Lord, that are to be obtained.
2. A door is something that requires a response.
3. Spiritual life is to be lived in a state of awareness, looking for these supernatural opportunities.
OPENED UNTO ME
" . . . was opened unto me . . . " Other versions read, "opened for me" (NASB/NIV/NRSV), and "the Lord gave me" (NLT).
The idea here is that the opportunity was especially presented to Paul. It was not one thrown open for grabs, so to speak, but was particularly tailored for Paul himself. What is more, Paul was able to see it – i.e., he recognized the open door, and was able to associate it with his Lord and his calling.
A door can be closed as well as opened. The door to the ark was "shut" (Gen 7:16). The door to the wedding feast of the Lamb will be "shut" (Matt 25:10). The door to preach the Gospel in Asia was shut (Acts 16:9). The door to Bithynia was shut as well (Acts 16:7). Doors – Kingdom doors – are not always standing ajar. Divine wisdom is required to detect whether it is an open door or a closed one.
Now, Paul testifies of an open door – an unmistakable opportunity to preach the Gospel of Christ. It was opened to him because of his involvement in the will of the Lord. He structured his life in order to fulfill the revealed will of the Lord – his heavenly calling. It is no wonder that the life of faith is referred to as a "vocation" (Eph 4:1).
ONE MORE THING
There is one more thing about this circumstance that ought to be noted. An "open door," in fact, constitutes a Divine call. It is a summons to involvement in the work of the Lord. It is a call for those whom God has endowed with certain abilities to engage in the work of the Lord. An "open door" works together with "the measure of faith" that has been dispensed by God (Rom 12:3). It also ought to be noted that Jesus alone can open or shut a door. As referred to Himself as "He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth" (Rev 3:7).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to perceive when doors are opened, and when they are closed.