November 30, 2003

GOD IS MY WITNESS

Romans 1:8-16

   After thanking God for all the saints in Rome, that their faith was spoken of throughout the whole world," Paul called upon God as "my witness...that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift..." ( Rom. 1:8-11). One does not call upon God as a witness for just anything he might say. Such an oath is rare for the Apostle and reserved only when the issue at hand might seem difficult for the hearer to receive and to believe. But what was so difficult to believe on this occasion?

   Paul had tried and earnestly intended to visit them many times before. "...I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that often times I purposed to come unto you, (but was hindered until now,) that I might have some fruit among you also..." (1:13). Paul's plans had been thwarted for years such that his enemies had now seemingly used this to his discredit and blame. Even saints might have thought, "If Paul really cared for us as much as he says, surely he would have found some way to visit us long before now. He's just not sincere!"

   Rome was not the only place Paul's visits were hindered. To Corinth he wrote, "I was minded to come to you before, that ye might have the second benefit." But when he did not arrive, he wrote, "When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?" To this Paul adds, "as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay (yes I'm coming, no, I'm not)" (2 Cor. 1:15-18). What were they failing to consider?

   The element missing in such thinking was not missing for Paul. He wrote, "if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you..." (1:10). And he conclud-ed, "that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed" (15:32). Surely disruptions in Paul's travel plans were intended or at least allowed by God. Paul agrees that we should say, "If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that" (James 5:16).

Ivan L. Burgener