For the sake of His body, which is the church

Colossians 1:24
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

Paul the preacher, teacher, evangelist, apostle empties himself and preached wholeheartedly for Christ. He would point to the person of Yehsua Ha Masiach. This is the same way we should reveal the gospel to others as it is. It is not about telling others of just a transformed life or the benefits or blessings. The core message of the gospel in the person of Yeshua needs to be conveyed. Ultimately it is God who would bring this message to bloom within the hearer and establish the Kingdom in their hearts.

Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest

Matthew 9:38
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

This simple statement highlights a very important instruction, when doing God's work. It is simply to prayer. The harvest is ready - as it had been ready two thousand years ago. The Lord has always prepared many people ready to accept Him at various times, but the workers are few. There are many types of good intentioned church sponsored work. However, the important thing in embarking in the work for God is still pray to Him to send us to the harvest or send the harvest to us, and pray that we will be ready.

Fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ

Colossians 1:24
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 

Rejoicing in suffering is something unnatural for the normal or average person. The sound of someone rejoicing in their suffering brings confusion first, then perhaps a distaste. However, Paul has walked enough with God to know that suffering is not the important focus. Instead his goal was to empty himself and surrender to Messiah. Only then could he and can we live the way that God intended for us. It is in that state of surrender, then God will to mould us and use us for His Kingdom, which can mean to help others.

For he knew what was in each person

John 2:24-25
But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

Our Lord Yshua know us well. He was not disillusioned with the many mistakes that Peter made, even though Peter will be chosen along with others to lead His church. God knows every hair on our head, so he would know each one of us very well. On the other hand, we are susceptible to disillusionment. In the church context, many have fallen away after being disillusioned by the misdeeds of their church leaders. This is certainly a play into the hands of the enemy. Instead, our response as we mature in Christ, is to look at only Yshua as our role model and somehow who could never fall. There may be other great church leaders, but we should think of them at most as big brothers or sisters leading us, but they are never our perfect role models.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good

John is writing to Gaius, possibly one of his disciples. John encourages Gauis to continue to serve others. There was a warning against a certain individual, Diotrephes. It seems that Diotrephes is seeking his personal fame or influence. He was also spreading malice about John and perhaps other leaders. It also seems he was hindering people coming to church and push out of the church those against him. So John reminds Gauis not to follow such behaviour. On the other hand, another believer Demetrius, had a very good reputation among fellow believers.





3 John 1
Greeting to Gaius

1 The Elder,

To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.[a]

Gaius Commended for Generosity

5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and[b] for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive[c] such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but[d] he who does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

Farewell Greeting

13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.

Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

The Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel

Paul explains that God has revealed to him the mysteries, which also has been revealed to the apostles, that the Gentiles are now fellow heirs of the promise of Messiah. The inclusion and salvation of the Gentiles has been the plan of God from the beginning, but is now only made known since Messiah's first coming. This knowledge is to be exposed by the church to the powers that are against God.

Knowing the importance of this mission not only for himself but since the mission is for every believer, Paul prays for all of them that they are securely rooted in Christ, especially knowing the love of Christ, so they can be filled with the fullness of God. This is a prayer to strengthen and equip all believers in their mission to expose the gospel of salvation through Christ which is available for everyone who receives it.



Ephesians 3
The Mystery Revealed

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

Purpose of the Mystery

8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship[a] of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;[b] 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

Appreciation of the Mystery

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,[c] 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints

Paul discusses the specific gifts of tongues and prophecy. The gift of prophecy is greater than tongues because it is delivered to the church and is meant for edifying the church. Tongues edifies the individual only and it allows the person to speak directly to God.

It also seems like the church of the Corinthians has been using the gift of tongue for the wrong purpose. It seems that some may have been using their gifts in tongues publicly, perhaps in public prayer or during group meetings. Paul explains that the tongues is for the private individual. If spoken in a crowd such as during church gatherings, it needs an interpreter otherwise the others would not get any message from it. Paul also regard the gifts of tongues as a sign of God to unbelievers whereas prophecies are for believers.

Besides using the gifts of tongues inappropriately, it also seems that the members where using tongues in church, hence making lots of noises and causing confusion. There also may be women speaking loudly and causing commotion in the church which let Paul to call for an orderly conduct. At the end of this Paul clearly encourages us to ask for the gift of prophecy and also clarify that he is not against speaking in tongues.



1 Corinthians 14
Prophecy and Tongues

1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for[a] he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Tongues Must Be Interpreted

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

21 In the law it is written:

“With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”[b]
says the Lord.

22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus[c] the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

Order in Church Meetings

26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

34 Let your[d] women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.[e]

39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.