Category Archives: Others

Young scribe writing on a scroll as an older teacher instructs him
Bible, Humility, Others, Romans, Scripture, Servant

THE SCRIBE

ROMANS 16:22

“I, Tertius, who have written this letter, greet you in the Lord.”

There is an organization today called “I Am Second.” People give their testimonies of how they put others before them. That’s pretty biblical, isn’t it? But putting others first without the motive of Christian love is simply unsustainable. You will wear yourself out doing that. If we allow Christ to love others through us, we can do that all day. It’s Christ’s love that compels us, not our own effort.

Why do I bring that up? Because the scribe who wrote this letter to the Romans has a name that means “third.” It was a common name usually given to lower class people or even slaves (enumerating the number in which they were bought). We do know this name was a Roman name. Since he was writing this from Corinth, he was introducing himself to the church in Rome. Paul could have used scribes to take dictation other letters, but Tertius is the only person specifically named as the scribe.

APPLICATION

You may never be chosen to write or dictate a letter to a church, but your life is writing volumes. How so? The world is watching you. If you are known to your neighbors as a Christian, they will observe how you live. We could be giving a great testimony by how we treat our spouses and children or we could be a terrible witness of Christ’s love.

I am willing to bet that Tertius never thought his name would appear in a canonized book of Scripture. His duty was only to write down exactly what the Holy Spirit was telling Paul to say. Do you realize that same Holy Spirit is still telling us what to say and to whom? That’s another volume you write. Your obedience to the Spirit’s leading tells others how to live their own lives.

Tertius appears nowhere else in Scripture. Just one small verse in which he sent his personal greeting (I’m sure with Paul’s permission) “in the Lord.” Shouldn’t that be how we all greet others? When we do that, we would be sure to treat them as Christ would. We wouldn’t need a bracelet to remind us WWJD. We would know! My pastor said recently, “When you don’t know what to do, do what you do know to do.” Pretty good advice. Now go be a Tertius to someone today. Greet them and treat them as Jesus would.

Father, let me be a humble servant who cares nothing about recognition or prestige.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Woman expressing admiration to a smiling young man in a community room
Bible, Boasting, Others, Pride, Romans, Scripture, Service

BOAST IN GOD

ROMANS 15:17

“Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.”

When we think of boasting, it usually has a negative connotation. And that is justified. I have known some extreme braggarts in my lifetime. I bet you have also. But I have also known some who only brag on Jesus. That’s a good kind of boasting. They attribute everything good to Him. They don’t want any credit or praise. That’s what Paul is referring to in today’s verse.

The Greek word for “boasting” is kaúxēsis which means boasting of self-achievements or God’s. Barnes says, “It means also ‘praise, thanksgiving,’ and ‘joy. This is its meaning here, that the apostle had great cause of ‘rejoicing’ or ‘praise’ that he had been so highly honored in the appointment to this office, and in his success in it.” Let’s look at some other verses where this word is used this way.

APPLICATION

In 1 Corinthians 15:31 Paul writes, “I affirm, brothers and sisters, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily.” Paul uses kaúxēsis three times in 2 Corinthians (1:12; 7:4 and 8:24). In 7:4 Paul boasts again in the Corinthians, “My confidence in you is great; my boasting in your behalf is great.” Once again in 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Paul boasts in the recipients of his letter. He says, “For who is our hope, or joy or crown of pride, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Or is it not indeed you?” The word “pride” there is kaúxēsis.

What does this mean for us? I think it is pretty clear. Boast in others. Boast in Jesus. Don’t boast on yourself. If you deserve recognition for something, let others boast on you. I have always found it hard to receive praise from others. Whether it was a remark concerning a message I gave, a song I sang or some project I completed, I always felt unworthy of such praise. I know that the only reason I can do any of those things is Jesus.

Let me encourage you this week to find a reason to boast on someone else. You may have a neighbor who always keeps their yard looking nice. Tell them you appreciate their efforts. You may observe a stranger helping someone in need. Tell them you are thankful for them. And if someone brags on you, point upward and give God praise. Use that moment as a chance to brag on Jesus.

I give You praise, O Lord, for all You have done in and through me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Interests, Ministry, Needs, Others, Prayer, Scripture

THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS

PHILIPPIANS 2:4

“do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

As I am writing this devotion this morning, my across the street neighbor is having some type of medical emergency. I have only talked to him a few times as he just moved in a while ago. However, I know he is a believer. We have talked about that. So, as I watch the EMTs go into his house, I am lifting a prayer for him. Today’s verse really hit home this morning.

Paul continues his thought from the previous few verses in today’s verse. He is saying that it is not just about us. We need to keep the needs of others before our own. I read this description of this thought. “To ‘look upon’ here is something more than ‘to seek.’ It expresses that insight into the thoughts, hopes, aspirations of others, which only a self-forgetting love can give, as well as the care to consider their welfare and happiness.” (Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers) Do you have that “self-forgetting” love for others?

APPLICATION

This interest in others does not give us license to interfere. Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 3:11 warn us about that. “For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.” See also 1 Timothy 5:13 and 1 Peter 4:15. Hmmm, I’ve known a few of those, haven’t you? Don’t be like that.

Instead of meddling in other people’s affairs, show genuine concern and love for them. How is that done? First of all, pray for others. Ask them how you can pray for them and then do it. Pray right there for them. Nothing softens the heart like prayer. And if that prayer needs some “feet” to it, do what you can to meet that need.

Back to my neighbor – the ambulance just drove off. I did not run over while the EMTs were there as that would have been meddling. I will go over later today and find out how I can pray. Perhaps I can go to the hospital and check on him. Putting feet to prayers is a good thing. Whatever you do, be genuine. Show Christ’s love to others in the same way He would have.

Lord, give me Your compassion and love for others and show me how to meet their needs if appropriate.

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Bible, Jesus, Others, Sacrifice, Scripture

FOR YOUR SAKES

PHILIPPIANS 1:24

“yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes.”

Part of being a parent or grandparent is choosing to do things for others. Take for example, my wife and I felt led by the Lord to move to Knoxville from Chattanooga last year. Chattanooga has been our home for much of our married life. We have a lot of friends there, a great home church and thousands of memories. But when our daughter asked us to move to Knoxville to help care for our grandson when he arrived, we did – for her sake.

Paul was prepared to die for Christ, but here in today’s verse he comes to his conclusion. God wanted him to stay here and continue preaching the Gospel. Paul says it “is more necessary.” Strong’s Lexicon defines the Greek word there this way. “The Greek word ἀναγκαῖος (anagkaios) is used to describe something that is necessary or essential. It conveys the idea of something that is required or indispensable, often in the context of fulfilling a duty or meeting a need.” Paul was fulfilling his duty as an apostle of Christ and putting his own desires behind him.

APPLICATION

Paul uses another phrase in today’s verse, “for your sakes,” that I find quite interesting. He uses it in 2 Corinthians 2:10 when he writes, “But one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes in the presence of Christ,” Doing for others. All of Paul’s Christian life was about that. His needs came second or third, never first.

We see John using “for your sakes” when he describes the scene surrounding Lazarus’ death. In John 11:14-15 we read, “14 So Jesus then said to them plainly, ‘Lazarus died, 15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let’s go to him.’” What seemed cruel and insensitive (not running to heal Lazarus when He first heard he was sick) was an intentional act to help the disciples see Who He really was.

What have you done this week for the sake of someone else? I was getting into my truck the other day at Walmart when I noticed an elderly lady pushing her cart towards her car. It was raining and she was trying push the cart and hold her umbrella in some rather windy conditions. So, what did I do? I drove off. Just kidding. I jumped out and asked if I could help. She very timidly accepted my help. That was done for her sake. What will you do today?

Father God, forgive me when I pursue my own desires above others. Give me Your heart for the sake of others.

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