The Profitable Way
by R. Andrew Parker
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 17 No. 4, 31 December 1991
Let’s face it: traditionally, we have been a quarrelsome people. Wherever we can find an excuse to argue, we do. If we cannot find a relatively good reason, we will be sure to split a hair or two to find one. I, perhaps, have been more guilty than most. I defended myself as one "contending for the faith." A closer reading of God’s word now tells me I was merely being contentious.
Consider with me Paul’s instructions to Titus and Timothy. Read Titus 3:1-11 and II Timothy 2:8-26.
In Titus 3:2 Paul tells Titus to "speak evil of no man" (literally, to not "blaspheme" anyone, to be "no brawler" (literally, a non-fighter, whether with words or fists), but to be "gentle" (fair, reasonable, mild, patient, yielding, kind), showing unto all "meekness" (perfect courtesy, humility, considerateness). Perhaps the opponents are ignorant and foolish, but at one time, so were we (Titus 3:3). However, God saved us (Titus 3:4-6), not because we earned it, but because of His mercy, through Jesus Christ. This is a faithful saying (Titus 3:8), and Paul wanted Titus to insist on it. Why? So that believers would be careful to focus on good works, because that is good and profitable. "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies [a particularly Jewish concern], and contentions, and strivings about the law" (literally, "legal fights," a term, it seems, inclusive of, but much broader than, arguments about the law of Moses). Why? Because these are useless and unprofitable (Titus 3:9). As for the "heretic" (an unfortunate rendering of a word whose root form means to choose, hence a side-picker, or factious man), after a first and second admonition, "reject" (avoid, shun). A person like that is perverted and self-condemned (Titus 3:11).
In II Timothy 2:8, Paul instructs Timothy to remember Jesus and His resurrection. It is sure that we who suffer and die with Him will also live and reign with Him - and vice versa (II Timothy 2:11-13). Timothy was to remind his hearers of this - of Jesus, that is, and to charge them "that they strive not about words" (literally, "wordfights"), for that is unprofitable and only, "subverts," (ruins) the hearers (II Timothy 2:14). Timothy was to do his best to present himself to God as one approved, who handled the word of truth properly (one who did not focus on word-fights and the like, but on Jesus). But "profane and vain babblings" (unsanctified idle chatter) were to be shunned, because they would only cause ungodliness, eating its way like cancer (II Timothy 2:16). An example of such word-fights and unsanctified idle chatter is the ludicrous post-resurrection theory of Hymenaeus and Philetus, who drew some away after them (II Timothy 2:17-18). But despair not, because God still knows His own, who must shun lawlessness (II Timothy 2:19).
Timothy needed to choose to be a "vessel unto honour," set apart for every good work. He was to do so by purging himself from word-fights and un-sanctified idle chatter, and by fleeing, "youthful lusts." Instead, he was to seek righteousness, faith, love, and peace, as do all who from clean hearts call on the Lord (II Timothy 2:20-22). But he must refuse "foolish and unlearned questions." Why? Because they only lead to fights (II Timothy 2:23). God’s servant is not a fighter, but is a gentle, patient teacher who, with courtesy and consideration, corrects his opponents. Why be so gentle?
God may perhaps grant the opponent repentance into a full knowledge of truth, and so he may escape from the Devil’s trap (II Timothy 2:22-26).
What does all this put together yield? This is good and profitable: gentleness, good works, peaceableness, refusal to fight with words or fists, but rather to be courteous and considerate, focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ rather than on perfect interpretational agreement in all things. Word-fights, after all, only ruin the hearers. If the question is foolish, unlearned, or even stupid, just refuse it. Perhaps our gentle correction will lead our opponent to the truth. If we concentrate on Jesus, on good works, we will have no time for fights, and we will be the right example.
Perhaps this emphasis on peace and on not being a fighter has eluded you, as it did me for so long. It is possible to contend for the faith without being contentious. May we all do so, for this is the profitable way. ।
