Acts 16:3-5 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters… I. THE IDEAL MINISTRY IS THAT OF PARTNERSHIP. "Two are better than one," either as pastors or missionaries. 1. No one man is fully equipped for all the duties of his office, though two may be. The one often supplies what is lacking in the other; and common interests are promoted by the interchange of thought and affection, and by the division of labour. What one may have no adaptability for the other may have in abundance. Able preachers are not always good pastors. Happy the Church which has two ministers: one who can visit, another who can preach. 2. Partnership was the plan of the Master who sent His disciples out "two by two." It was the plan of the apostles. How often we find Peter and John in conjunction. It was Paul's plan, who never laboured alone if he could help it. II. THIS PARTNERSHIP MUST BE BASED ON HARMONIOUS QUALITIES. Not necessarily identical qualities. Persons of similar ideas and temperaments have not always been good colleagues. Opposites are not necessarily antagonistic: they are often complementary. The most angular persons have often worked well together, because the angles have been made to fit laterally instead of pressing on the points. Paul could not, under existing circumstances, have worked with Mark, and so far he was wise in refusing his companionship; and it is doubtful if he could have permanently worked with Barnabas. We may see a wise Providence in their separation if not in the means by which it was brought about. Paul could get on better with Timothy, whom he could train in his own methods and aims. III. THIS PARTNERSHIP WAS REALISED IN THE CASE OF PAUL AND TIMOTHY. What one lacked the other possessed — inexperience and experience; the desire to learn and the ability to teach; sedateness and energy; evangelistic genius, and pastoral and governmental gifts. (J. W. Burn.) Parallel Verses KJV: Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. |
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