Reaching Out
PAUL, A PACEMAKER (2)
Section IV: A Pacemaker
As mentioned previously, the apostle had many admirable qualities in his life and work and we considered his tenacity. Now we look at his versatility and practical ability.
(2) Versatility. Though a Jew by race; Paul was born and bred in Tarsus, where Greek culture, society, and institutions were in vogue. Its university was one of the intellectual centers of the Empire and famous for its teachers of the Stoic philosophy. We know that the apostle was more or less acquainted with Greek poetry and philosophy. We also know that his family enjoyed the privilege of the municipal or city franchise, i.e., the Greek citizenship of Tarsus, a privilege confined to a comparatively small section of the population. He had, therefore, imbibed a good deal of the Greek spirit – a spirit characterized by great versatility and readiness in resources. The Greeks were able to adapt themselves with ease to their surroundings.
This quality is strikingly present in Paul. He was equally at home with Jew and Gentile. In his company of fellow workers could be found the Asiatic, the European and Eurasian. He could speak as opportunity occurred, to Hebrew theologians, pagan idolaters and cultured philosophers; and his words were always suited to his hearers. His speeches before civil authorities show a clear knowledge of their character and history.
He could adapt himself with ease to the work of preaching to all sorts and conditions of men – be they counselors, soldiers, sailors, priests, Roman officials, men or women. While he never ceased to be a patriotic Jew, he yet proved himself conversant with and capable of adapting himself to the Phrygian, Lycaonian, Asian, Macedonian, Grecian, Melitan and Italian. This quality is most useful to the missionary, and the absence of it accounts largely for the want of sympathy often observed between the foreign worker and those to whom he preaches. We should cultivate the capacity to understand the attitude of men in alien lands, and we should learn to insist as little as possible on our own national customs, systems and methods.
(3) Practical Ability. In addition to his Hebrew tenacity and his training in Greek culture and versatility, Paul derived distinct advantages from his Roman citizenship. This is to be clearly distinguished from the Greek franchise of the “free city,” Tarsus, and was a far rarer privilege for foreigners to enjoy. It gave him a special status, and frequently procured him the friendship and protection of the imperial officials. It made him a member of a great national body, one characterized by its grand ideal of universal empire and its power of organization. In this way, to use modern language, Paul learned to “think progressively.” Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, he became a missionary statesman, occupying strategic points, moving upon lines of vantage, conceiving and developing a magnificent plan, “the Empire for Christ.”
The Romans were noted for their organizing power and practical ability. They made great roads, established a settled peace, promoted facilities for trade and commerce, and carried everywhere a system of law and order. We find abundant traces of Roman influence in Paul's work. “There had passed into his nature something of the Roman constructiveness, the power of seeing the means to reach an end in the world of reality and humanity, the quickness to catch and use the mould of the citizens of the Empire” (Ramsay, Pauline Studies). His great conception of the evangelization of the Empire is definitely expressed in the epistle to the Romans. His conviction of the importance of organization, as also his promotion of it, is clearly evidenced in both Acts and the epistles. No one is more decided as Paul to the need of solidarity or organic unity, a principle which Rome aimed at but failed to achieve. Again, his practical nature and common sense ability are seen in his choice of Silas and Timothy as fellow workers; in his deterring the Philippian jailor from suicide; in his plan of special collections in the Gentile churches dispatched by trustworthy delegates; in his dealing with the plot against his life (Acts 23); in his conduct on board ship (Acts 27), and in his lending a hand to make a fire at Malta.
Such qualities are most serviceable in missionary work. At times a missionary has to act as organizer, accountant, builder, teacher and doctor. An all-round knowledge of practical things can be very useful.
