| Men cease to interest us when we find their | | | | (b) issues associated with metropolitan versus |
| limitations. The sin is limitations. As soon as you | | | | rural church settings, and |
| once come up to a man's limitations, it is all over | | | | (c) problems related to slave-master relationships |
| with him. | | | | in a Christian environment. |
| Emerson | | | | Clearly, Paul's character did not allow him to |
| How do we handle today's uncertainty? The early | | | | demand the churches' financial support. In 1 |
| church leaders can provides us with examples of | | | | Thessalonians 2:9, Paul explained, "...You remember |
| dealing with maintaining values in hostile times. In | | | | how night and day we struggled to make a living, |
| fact, the Apostle Paul was actually infusing values | | | | so that we could tell you God's message without |
| into the early church. Although Paul faced heavy | | | | being a burden to anyone." Paul did not hold his |
| opposition from without and within, he never | | | | words when confronting problems in the early |
| compromised his principles. Obviously, he was | | | | church. He did not try an indirect approach in |
| entitled to receive financial help from the church | | | | order to soothe bruised egos. 1 Corinthians 3:1 |
| but refrained from it. He didn't want to be | | | | reads, "My friends, you are acting like the people |
| beholden to any man. This is not an arrogant | | | | of this world. That's why I could not speak to you |
| action but an action that affirmed his divine calling. | | | | as spiritual people. You are like babies..." Therefore, |
| Paul was opposed by groups of Jewish Christians. | | | | it is important for leaders to be self-sufficient so |
| Paul had taken numerous actions that placed his | | | | that they won't compromise their principles. |
| credibility among Jewish traditionalists at risk. One | | | | References: |
| of these actions included appointing Timothy in a | | | | Constable, T. (2005). Note on 1 Timothy. Sonic |
| leadership role; Timothy was a young, bi-ethnic, | | | | Light. |
| and a pastor on the outside of influence. By being | | | | Marshall, I. (1999). The international critical |
| self-sufficient, Paul was able to take some hard | | | | commentary on the Pastoral Epistles. Edinburgh, |
| stands in the church, which included: | | | | Scotland. |
| (a) merging of orthodox Jews and newly | | | | © 2008 by Daryl D. |
| converted Gentiles in the early church, | | | | |