Spiritual Boundaries

 

Spiritual Boundaries

Galatians 5:16-17, 25

 

Galatians 5:16–17, This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Galatians 5:25, If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Boundaries and conflicts require leadership from the Holy Spirit. To “walk in the Spirit” is to live under the direct control, guidance, and empowerment of the Holy Spirit instead of returning to our sinful fallen desires. This concept has several implications:

• Led by the Holy Spirit, Not Controlled by ‘Fleshly’ Impulses: Walking in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to set the pace and direction of our daily choices, reactions, and words.
• Overcoming Our Carnal Tendencies: Instead of trying to fight sin purely through self-will (which often leads to frustration), a spiritual walk crowds out or replaces sinful habits as we insist on staying close to God.
• Bearing Holy Fruit to God’s Glory: When you walk by the Spirit, He supernaturally produces the “fruit of the Spirit”: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22–23).

John 15:8 states: "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."

• The Source: Fruitfulness does not come from our hustle or self-effort, but from abiding in Jesus Christ, who is the true vine.
•  The Character: Spiritual fruit includes Christlike character traits such as loving, joyful, peaceful, patience, kind, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
• The Proof: Bearing much fruit is the visible evidence and public verification that a believer is truly a disciple of Christ.
• The Purpose: The ultimate goal of fruitfulness is not personal recognition or material achievement, but pointing others to God and bringing glory to the Father.

Living and walking in the Spirit then involves relying on the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to shape our daily thoughts, choices, actions, and conversations instead of giving in to self-centered, prideful, or sinful individual motives. Now let’s apply this to spiritual boundaries and conversational conflicts.

Lesson:

The Spirit Guides Our Boundaries and Fitting Speech

Protecting our boundaries in a difficult conversation relies on wisdom, a calm spirit, guarding your heart, and speaking with grace rather than reacting in anger.

1.    Passages that Help Us Establish these Safeguards

a.    Proverbs 4:23 – "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

                                                   i.     The heart is first. It speaks of the inner life, the mind, the thoughts, the motives, the desires. The mind is the fountain from which the actions spring. If the fountain is pure, the stream that flows from it will be pure. As a man thinks, so is he. So this verse emphasizes the importance of a clean thought life.^[1]

                                                 ii.     Protect your inner state and emotional well-being before entering a tense conversation.

b.    Proverbs 15:1 – "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

                                                   i.     If, however, one wishes to maintain peace, he must forego the hot, loud or sarcastic retort and give a pacifying reply (cf. 1 Sam 25:24).^[2]

                                                 ii.     Respond calmly to disarm hostility without compromising your stance.

c.     Colossians 4:6 – "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

                                                   i.     “Seasoned with salt” was used to refer to witty, amusing, clever, humorous speech. Their saltiness will prevent them from being ignored as irrelevant bores.^[3]

                                                 ii.     Keep your words intentional, polite, and firm.

d.    James 1:19 – "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."

                                                   i.     In an argument, of course, the one who is listening rather than lambasting is the one who is slow to anger (cf. 3:1–12). Anger fails to yield the righteous life that God desires^[4]

                                                 ii.     Listen carefully, pause before reacting, and keep your temper under control during conflict.

e.    Romans 12:18 – "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."

                                                   i.     Christians should not be needlessly provocative or contentious. The righteousness of God is not worked out by belligerence and wrath. We should love peace, make peace, and be at peace. When we have offended others, or when someone has offended us, we should work tirelessly for a peaceful resolution of the matter.^[5]

                                                 ii.     You are responsible for your own peaceful conduct, even if the other person refuses to respect your limits.

f.      Proverbs 25:17 – "Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee."

                                                   i.     A person should refrain from frequently visiting his neighbor, to avoid being a nuisance, but he should visit enough so that his visits are valued.^[6]

                                                 ii.     Know when to step back or exit a conversation before it turns toxic or invasive.

2.   Principles that Help Us During Difficult Conversations

a.    Guard Your Motives: Ensure your boundary is built on love and stewardship rather than fear or a desire to punish.

b.    Distinguish Between Bearing vs. Carrying Loads: Know the difference between helping someone carry a heavy burden (Galatians 6:2) and taking responsibility for another person's personal behavior or bad choices (Galatians 6:5).

c.     Stay Firm without Bitterness: You can love someone and forgive them while still refusing to accept abusive or manipulative treatment.

Conclusion:

This all demands serious emotional discipline, maturity, and considerable self-control. The Scriptures repeatedly instructs us to “walk in the Spirit” to avoid expressing carnal abusive language, situational control, violent strategies, and relational manipulations.

 

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^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 802.

^[2] James E. Smith, The Wisdom Literature and Psalms, Old Testament Survey Series (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 1996), 571.

^[3] David E. Garland, Colossians and Philemon, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998), 274.

^[4] J. Ronald Blue, “James,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 823.

^[5] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1731.

^[6] Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 961.

Navigating a Tough Talk

 

Navigating a Tough Talk

God gives us principles for navigating difficult conversations that also respect and preserve the relationship.

I was recently challenged to study this subject again to be certain I represented the Lord in a way that honors Him, respects others, and sustains the cherished relationships. I was confronted with the fact I did not apply all these guidelines as well as I should; there is so much more for me to appreciate and relate to real situations. Without going into detail, I concluded I need more directions on this matter. So, I am sharing with you what God showed me during our conversation and Bible research.  

Again, there were several conversations I was low key dreading. Confrontations and hard truths to digest were my lot; I had to address these ‘tough talks’ with the right spirit. They weighed on me significantly…this I must admit. Even after doing this type of thing for years now, I still felt unprepared and inadequate. God’s counsel once again helped me through these difficult conversations, but there was more for me to learn about giving wisdom, handling the person with gentleness, and obtaining the courage to convey what was needed and what I really meant. Here is what God prescribes….

God’s Guidance for Difficult Conversations

1)    Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Trust the Lord to lead you rather than your own reflexes. Resting your full weight on His character, promises, and sovereignty rather than splitting your confidence between God and your backup plan.

First, there must be a full commitment of ourselves—spirit, soul, and body—to the Lord. We must trust Him not only for the salvation of our souls but also for the direction of our lives. It must be a commitment without reserve.

Next, there must be a healthy distrust of self, an acknowledgment that we do not know what is best for us, that we are not capable of guiding ourselves.^[1]

2)   Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Let your speech be with grace, seasoned with salt. Our words should reflect kindness, gentleness, mercy, and the unearned favor of God shown to us. We want to avoid harsh, rude, or arrogant language—always, with no exceptions for bad moods or difficult people. “Salt” preserves our speech providing wholesome, wise, interesting, and full of good sense statements rather than dull, vulgar, or corrupt/destructive language.

3)   Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Speak the truth in love, so you grow up together into Christlike behavior. Communicate godly messages with a genuine, self-sacrificial love so that everyone grows up spiritually to become more like our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Truth without love can become harsh, blunt, and wounding; love without truth can become passive, misleading, or tolerate destructive behavior. True biblical communication unites both grace and honesty. (Bible Ref)

4)   Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

Truth is most effective and attractive when delivered with care and beauty.  Communication should be well-timed, appropriate, thoughtful, and matched to the exact situation or need of the listener. It is not about talking too much or using overly fancy words but saying the right thing at the right moment.

5)   Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

A calm, gentle, and respectful response that lacks sharp edges, hostility, or sarcasm defuses, redirects, or cools down an opponent’s intense anger or fury before it escalates into a larger fight. However, painful, harsh, or cutting speech provoke, ignite, or add fuel to a fire, turning a minor disagreement into open hostility. (Unknown)

A gentle (lit., “soft”) answer can dispel a potentially tense situation by dissolving a person’s wrath (ḥēmâh, “rage”). Being conciliatory in such a situation requires forethought, patience, self-control, and kindness, virtues commonly lauded in Proverbs. A harsh (lit., “hurtful”) word, by contrast, arouses rather than dissolves anger.^[2]

6)   James 1:19, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

Being “swift to hear” is to humbly receive God’s word (James 1:21) rather than letting pride and hot-tempered arguments cloud our heart. Instead of rushing to figure out what we will say next, we pause to truly understand the message. In addition, controlling the tongue (James 3) and dealing with the root causes of a conflict (James 4) are important ways to show faith. (Unknown)

7)    Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Talk with the Lord about it first, and His “peace” will guard our heart. Consciously, replace our worry and anxiety with prayer, and in return, rest in God’s promises to avail divine, incomprehensible peace that guards the heart and mind. So, instead of letting life’s pressures consume or ‘pull you apart’ mentally, you are called to stop carrying the weight of worry alone. (Unknown)

8)   Proverbs 16:24, “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

These are kind, gracious, and thoughtful statements aimed at helping, encouraging, or comforting others rather than flattery or deception. Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet and healing. Our core structure or physical strength is positively impacted by wholesome words which are restorative and medicinal affecting our overall well-being. It is good to give real reinforcing compliments often; not mere flattery, and never manipulation!

Watchman Nee told of a woman whose husband never expressed appreciation for anything she had ever done. She worried constantly that she had failed as a wife and mother. Possibly this is what caused her to develop tuberculosis. When she was dying, her husband said to her, “I don’t know what we are going to do. You have done so much and done it well.” “Why didn’t you say that sooner?” she asked, “I have been blaming myself all along, because you never once said ‘Well done.’ ”^[3]

9)   Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Let no corrupt word—something dead, foul, or useless—come out, but what builds up and gives grace. This includes speech that tears down, gossips, curses, lies, or brings moral decay rather than life. “Edifying” point to ‘building up’ or constructing. Just as a builder stacks bricks to raise a house, our speech should build up a person’s faith, strength, and well-being rather than demolishing them. To “minister grace” is to act as a channel of God’s unearned kindness, blessing, and encouragement to whoever is listening. Our ‘up lifting’ words should leave the other person better, stronger, resilient, and more hopeful.

While it is not guaranteed how the other party will react, we can honor the Lord with right motives and intentions as we undertake His priorities and advocate His ideas using His guidance.

I recall several instances where these insights played out in Bible character’s experiences. But one illustration stands out for me—Abigail’s soft wise actions. When her husband, Nabal, insultingly refused to give provisions to David’s men, David set out with 400 armed men to destroy Nabal's entire household. Abigail intercepted David with a peace offering of food and fell at his feet, delivering one of the most persuasive speeches by a woman in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 25:23–35). She immediately diffuses David's anger by asking that the blame for Nabal's actions fall on her instead (verse 24). She reminds David of his divine destiny to be king over Israel and that he fights the Lord’s battles (verse 28). She wisely points out that when he does become king, he will not want the heavy burden or “offence of heart” that comes from shedding innocent blood in a fit of personal revenge (verse 31). David was so moved by her humility and wisdom—her soft wise words—that he immediately relented, praising her for keeping him from these shameful actions and burdening his conscience needlessly with a guilty complex.

God’s Foremost Advice on Interpersonal Interactions

You cannot control how another person will react, which means communication requires managing your own actions and boundaries rather than expecting a specific response.

      1)    Focus on your delivery: You are only responsible for how clearly, honestly, and respectfully you express your message, not for the emotions or behavior it triggers in others. You can place your focus on your actions, messages, and motives/intentions.

o   When Abigail met David, she prostrated herself at his feet and delivered a masterful and successful plea. She first admitted that her husband was true to his name (Nabal means fool or cad).^[4]

2)   Anticipate unpredictability: People process information through their own past experiences, stress levels, and current mindsets, making their reactions inherently unpredictable. You cannot control all of this!

o   As she asked for forgiveness, she reminded him that the Lord had restrained him from … bloodshed and that God would punish his enemies—even Nabal. She had real spiritual insight into who David was, the anointed of the Lord, and praised him sincerely for fighting the battles of the Lord.^[5]

3)   Prepare for possible outcomes: Before having a difficult conversation, decide in advance how you will respond if the other person becomes defensive, dismissive, or angry.

o   When people feel threatened, their brains switch from logic to self-protection. Pre-determining your boundaries keeps you from mirroring their emotional chaos.

o   Defensiveness usually stems from fear, shame, or feeling inadequate. If they start making excuses or turning the blame on you, do not fight back with logic or try to win the argument.

o   De-escalate immediately by clarifying your intent. Validate their reality without agreeing with their behavior. Acknowledge their stress to build a bridge. Check for miscommunication. Ask a clarifying question: "What did you hear me say just now?" (Unknown)

4)   Protect your boundaries: Clear communication works best when paired with firm limits on what kind of treatment or pushback you are willing to accept during the interaction.

o   Refuse to argue about insults or side issues—don’t be distracted. Keep the frame centered on collaboration rather than combat: "It's us versus the issue, not me versus you." (Unknown)

o   Enforce a hard pause. If the emotional temperature is too high, pull the plug on the conversation immediately. Circle back later with cooler heads!

Remember, David was deeply impressed by these words of diplomacy and thanked her (Abigail) for preventing him from destroying Nabal. The Lord knows how to bring the right people into our lives to direct us and warn us. We should be thankful that He does. Abigail’s advice was effective; her generous gift was accepted. ^[6]

Again, God’s counsel helped us through these difficult conversations, perhaps you have had some reminders about giving godly wisdom, handling the other person with gentleness, and being courageous while conveying sensitive but needful thoughts and ideas. Yes, God gives us principles for navigating difficult conversations that also respect and preserve the relationship.

 

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^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 798.

^[2] Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 937.

^[3] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 833.

^[4] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 316–17.

^[5] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 317.

^[6] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 317.

 

“Be A Great Student in Church”

Spiritual Leadership in the Church Series

1 Tim 2:11

 THEME: the church is to conduct its services with order and safeguard women's opportunities to learn and growth in Christ.

RELEVANCE: Defying wholesome church order has become normal unfortunately; there seems to be more respect for women's rights than there is for God's order. Women have always played an important role in the Christian Faith, though very different from the male role. We all must ensure that God’s Word is at the forefront of our worship and that the gospel message is carried to the world and certainly to our families. 

INTRODUCTION:

“Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40) is a basic principle for the conduct of the ministry of the church. 

Many women have read these verses and became disturbed and angered because they think in terms of their situation and context. However, to understand these verses, we must appreciate the situation in which Paul and Timothy worked in Ephesus. Suddenly the Jewish, Greek, and former temple prostitute women experienced incredible freedom as new believers. Some overreacted, exhibiting their liberty to the extent of disrupting the church services. 

Submission Through Quiet Learning (1 Tim. 2:11).

Paul is writing to set these matters in God’s order.

            1.  Stress the Essential of Study for Women. (1Tim. 2:11)

This reflects a cultural context where women were encouraged to gain knowledge but were expected to do so in a way that maintains order within the church setting.

o   Women Were Guaranteed the Right to Discipleship.

o   Learning was correctly encouraged! The imperative for women to learn indicates that holy education and spiritual growth are vital for all believers.

o   “Let the woman learn.” Women are not to be the public teachers when the church assembles, but neither are they to be shut out of the learning process.

o   The phrase “let the women learn” is an imperative: Paul is commanding that women be taught in the church.

o   When Paul said that women should learn in quietness and complete submission, he was affirming their recognition as teachable members of the church.

o   Christian women were given "equal rights" with men when it came to studying the Holy Scriptures. This was an amazing freedom for many of the Jewish and Gentile women who had become Christians!

o   Continuous Learning Is One of The Keys to Spiritual Growth.

o   Deut. 5:1, And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.

o   The people had entered a covenant with God, and Moses commanded them to hear, learn, and follow his statutes. Christians also have entered a covenant with God (through Jesus Christ) and should be responsive to what God expects. Moses' threefold command to the Israelites is excellent advice for all God's followers. Listening is absorbing and accepting information about God. Learning is understanding its meaning and implications. Obeying is putting into action all we have learned and understood. All three parts are essential to a growing relationship with God.

o   Learning Requires and Develops Humility. 

§  Lament. 3:27-29, It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. [28] He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. [29] He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.

§  To “bear the yoke” means to willingly and humbly come before God to learn what he wants to teach us. This involves several important factors: (1) silent reflection on what God wants, (2) repentant humility, (3) self-control in the face of adversity, and (4) confident patience, depending on the divine Teacher to bring about loving lessons in our life. God has several long-term and short-term lessons for you right now. Are you doing your homework?

o   This Was a Novel Concept: Highly Unusual at the Time.

o   Neither first century Judaism nor Greek culture held women in high esteem. I don’t agree with this slight, but it is true.

o   “In first-century Jewish culture, women were not allowed to study. Jews and Gentiles regarded it disgraceful for women to discuss issues with men in public. The Jews were stricter, not even allowing women to teach the male children past the age of five. (After male children reached the age of five, the Jewish men taught them.) In Greek philosophy, Plato granted women equality with men. Aristotle severely limited their activities, and his view was more widely accepted.”  ---Life Application Commentary

o   There were several problems in the Ephesian church that made teaching in this area difficult. Some women, converted Jews, had grown up in an atmosphere repressive toward women. Suddenly these women were free in Christ. They overstretched themselves in the name of liberty, grandstanding their freedom and interrupting the church service in the process.

o   In addition, some of these women were likely converts from the cult of temple prostitution, so widespread in these major cities. These women were immature in the faith and doctrines of Christianity. They needed to learn, not teach.

o   Paul Championed Women’s Spiritual Privileges, But Also Taught the Limitations.

o   Some of the women in Ephesus probably overreacted to the cultural denigration they had typically suffered and took advantage of their opportunity in the church by seeking a dominant role in leadership. (Unknown)

o   The instruction for silence and subjection should be understood in light of the societal norms of the time, which valued order and respect in worship settings.

            2.  Stress the Necessity of Silence for Women.  (1Tim. 2:11)

Certain limitations actual advanced the teaching efforts and appreciated godly respect and order.

o   “Silence” Does Not Mean That Believing Women Were Never to Say Anything in the Assembly.

o   Rather women should, literally, “be peaceable and in quietness.”

o   The word does not mean complete silence or no talking. It is clearly used elsewhere (Acts 22:2; 2 Thes. 3:12) to mean “settled down, undisturbed, not unruly.” This is the same word that is translated “peaceable” in 1 Timothy 2:2.

o   A different word means “to be silent, to say nothing” (Luke 18:39; 1 Cor. 14:34).

o   Silence Does Mean They Were Not to Be Congregational Teachers or Leaders.

o   “In silence with all subjection.” “Silence” (“quiet”) and “subjection” (“to line up under”) were to characterize the role of a woman as a learner in the context of the church assembly.

o   Paul explains his meaning in v. 12: Women are to be silent by not teaching, and they are to demonstrate submission by not usurping the authority of the pastors or elders. (W. W. Wiersbe)

o   Some Women Abused Their Newfound Freedom In Christ and Created Disturbances In The Services by Interrupting. It is this problem that Paul addressed in this admonition.

§  It appears that women were in danger of upsetting the church by trying to “enjoy” their freedom.

§  Paul wrote a similar admonition to the church in Corinth (1 Cor. 14:34), though this admonition may apply primarily to speaking in tongues. (W. W. Wiersbe)

o   Submission Doesn't Mean Christian Women Have No Responsibilities Before God.

o   It does not imply that women surrender their mind, conscience, or moral responsibility to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

o   This submission warns against presumptive and inappropriate grasping after authority.

o   “The special gift and ability of each creature defines its special limitations. And as the bird easily comes to terms with the necessity of bearing wings when it finds that it is, in fact, the wings that bear the bird . . . so the woman who accepts the limitations of womanhood finds in those very limitations her gifts, her special callings -- wings, if fact, which bear her up into perfect freedom, into the will of God.” -- Elisabeth Elliot

o   The Females in the Congregation Should Receive Instruction from the Male Leadership with Quietness and Full Submission.

o   They should not attempt to turn the tables by clamoring for the office of congregational teacher or by grasping for authority over men. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

o   In emphasizing godly conduct for women, Paul stressed, with Peter, the unfading beauty of “a meek [gentle] and quiet spirit,” which is of great value and worth in God’s view.

o   1 Peter 3:4, But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

These verses have to do with the learning and teaching of doctrine. Keep in mind that the women led in the mystery religions of Paul’s day, and they were sex orgies. Paul is cautioning women not to speak publicly with the idea of making an appeal on the basis of sex.^[1]

If any one bring forward, by way of objection, Deborah (Judges 4:4) and others of the same class, of whom we read that they were at one time appointed by the command of God to govern the people, the answer is easy. Extraordinary acts done by God do not overturn the ordinary rules of government, by which he intended that we should be bound. Accordingly, if women at one time held the office of prophets and teachers, and that too when they were supernaturally called to it by the Spirit of God, He who is above all law might do this; but, being a peculiar case, this is not opposed to the constant and ordinary system of government.^[2]

 

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^[1] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: The Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy/Titus/Philemon), electronic ed., vol. 50 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 45.

^[2] John Calvin and William Pringle, Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 67.