Virtually Paul
True Christian Community: Loving Like A Family
October 29, 2006 on 10:50 pm | In Church, Community, Preaching, Theology |Paul (the apostle) uses a number of different words that describe the relationships between members of the church, as a family. The church family, is called oikeioi (household), while Paul refers to himself as doulos (slave), the lowest member of the household, to the church in Corinth. But by far, Paul’s favourite term when he referred to people in the NT churches, was adelphoi (brethren) - A word that carries with it a deep sense of personal relationship and, in some contrast to the typical literature of the day, includes women and children amongst those it addresses.
From adelphoi, comes the Greek word philadelphia (no cheesy jokes please!). Philadelphia means “to love with a familial affectionâ€. It points towards the underlying motive of some of the practical things that the New Testament asks us to do in the Christian family. Because we are a family, we are to:
- Give honour to one another (Rom. 12:10)
- Live harmoniously with one another (Rom. 12:16)
- Admonish one another (Rom. 15:14)
- Wait for each other (1 Cor. 11:33)
- Demonstrate equal care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)
- Serve one another (Gal. 5:13)
- Bear burdens of each other (Gal. 6:2)
- Give comfort to one another (1 Thes. 5:11)
- Build up each other (1 Thes. 5:11)
- Maintain peace with each other (1 Thes. 5:13)
- Do good to one another (1 Thes. 5:15)
- Lovingly bear with each other (Eph. 4:2)
- Be subject to each other (Eph. 5:21)
- Forgive one another (Col. 3:13)
- Confess to and pray for each other (James 5:16)
- Exhibit hospitality to each other (1 Peter 4:9)
This stuff isn’t easy to live out because it comes at a personal cost.
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Paul my darling, as you know I am not “officially” a christian, but I incorporate all of these ideals into my day to day life. not because I have read the bible, or someone has specifically told me to, but because I believe its the right thing to do. I agree with you that it is sometimes hard to do, but no one is perfect. You can’t always 100% be alturistic. Sometimes you are selfish and thats ok. so long as your not selfish for the majority of the time. Thats my 2 cents worth anyway.
Comment by kate — October 30, 2006 #
theres alot of points there. i wonder if it’s a list of rules persay, like the ten commandments are to each be strictly followed. or if it’s suggestions put together to create a community vibe, a general feel of closeness and security.
Comment by warren — October 31, 2006 #
It is hard to live like that, always giving yourself to the people around you. I try to give it my best shot, but often I fall short. When I fall short, I feel bad, that I have let people down. Like Kate said, no-one is perfect, so I need to let go of my imperfections. I think at this point is where we need God. I know that God will continue to help me love people the ways he does, I don’t need to strive to love people. Its an ongoing challenge…
Comment by Dylan — November 1, 2006 #