A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE Devotion 12 of 24 -- Tomorrow:
" . . . but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia."
Paul is explaining why he did not come to Corinth as he had said he would (1 Cor 16:5). He has already stated that he had determined not to come to them "in heaviness," weighed down with the knowledge of their spiritual deficiencies (2:1). He had resolved to avoid a personal confrontation that would promote sorrow, choosing rather to focus on helping their joy (1:24).
The point of this section is that he would not come to them until he had learned of their state. He did not want to be surprised by their condition. He was rather anticipating a good report from Titus, which would enable him to help their joy. When Titus did not meet him in Troas as was apparently planned, he became too restless to remain in Troas.
AN IMPACT TO BE AVOIDED
This text confirms that those who are spiritually vacillating DO have an adverse affect upon others. They are not neutral in their attitudes. In this case, uncertainty about the real state of the Corinthians caused Paul to be restless. That, in turn, moved him to leave an area where a door had been opened to him by the Lord.
I have often pondered how many such occurrences have taken place in our day. This is one of the serious influences of lifeless churches, or of spiritual Babylon. Such religious institutions leave a wake of stultifying influences that discourage, cast down, and make restless. A form of religion that denies the power thereof so impacts the landscape of religion as to leave open doors standing ajar, discourage godly laborers, and retard the work of the Kingdom. When there is immorality, lukewarmness, a lack of spiritual growth, slothfulness, a lack of dependability, and the likes among professing believers, it has a debilitating influence upon those who are laboring for the Lord. Many a soul has cried out with Jesus, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?" (Mat 17:17). That word was not spoken to the scribes and Pharisees, but to His own disciples. Do not think for a single moment that spiritual dulness and obtuseness do not impact upon the work of the Lord!
For myself, I cannot begin to tell you what sorrow and agitation of soul I have experienced because of the state of the churches. I can only imagine the weighty import of Paul's statement concerning his sufferings: "Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches" (2 Cor 11:28).
While this is something that can by no means be legislated or taught, the church desperately needs godly men who are sensitive of the condition of God's people – men who become restless within when due progress is not being made.
TAKING MY LEAVE OF THEM
" . . . but taking my leave of them . . . " Other versions read, "So I said good-by to them" (NIV), "So I said farewell to them" (NRSV), "so I went away from them" (BBE), and "but bidding them adieu" (DARBY).
To my knowledge, this is one of the only times – if not THE only – Paul did not enter into a door that was opened to him. The restlessness caused by his concern for the state of the Corinthian brethren, moved him to leave Troas, bidding farewell to the brethren there. It is quite possible that he left someone there to take advantage of the opportunity that was opened to him – we do not know.
There is a consistency in Paul that is seen here – one that must not be missed. He had already said he had determined not to come to the Corinthians in heaviness, or to come into their presence promoting sorrow among them. I see in this text that he also refused to do this among those in Troas. He refused to minister to others while in a state that would tend to promote sorrow. He would come back to this area again (Acts 20:6-12), determined for his ministry to be as profitable as possible.
We also learn from this text that Paul did not simply vacate the area without telling anyone. He said farewell to the people, no doubt sharing with them some of the reason for his departure.
There is no need for concern or restlessness to rob us of our good sense, or cause us to act presumptuously. As with Paul, we can be blessed to think properly and profitably, even when we have no rest within, and are much concerned about the condition of others. That, of course, is the nature of life in Christ Jesus. We have been given the "spirit of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7), and that spirit can prevail under any and all circumstances.
I WENT TO MACEDONIA
" . . . I went from thence into Macedonia." Other versions read, "I departed for Macedonia" (NKJV), "I went on to Macedonia" (NASB), and "went forth to Macedonia" (ASV).
Paul left for Macedonia, where, we are apprised, he expected to find Titus – and he did. This was not an action driven by despair. Rather, it was one compelled by a desire to learn of the state of the Corinthians in order that, when he visited them, he might help their joy, encouraging and strengthening them. It is generally understood that this movement is recorded in Acts 20:1-2.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to never be a distraction to any of Your people.