Paul continues God’s vision for communities of believers, through a series of often unrelated commands and instructions.
“Bless” is a somewhat nebulous term these days, but the Greek word Paul uses in verse 14 specifically means “to speak well of”, and the word used for “curse” means “to wish someone evil or ruin”.
Even when someone, such as a family member, classmate or co-worker, mistreats us, when the opportunity presents itself for us to say something about them, we should choose to dwell on their positive points. There’s nothing wrong with asking God to bring about change in someone’s character. But it’s not our job to talk about the shortcomings of anyone else, even if they’re hostile toward us. It’s also not right for us to wish pain or suffering on anyone else. (v.14) (An alternative mindset is presented near the end of this chapter.)
If the idea of sharing both joy and weeping with others seems odd to us, we probably aren’t experiencing the kind of relationships with believers that God wants us to have. When we are deeply invested in someone’s life, when we have grown to care for them as deeply as God wants us to, we will experience the excitement of their successes and good news as well as the pain and grief of their sadness and suffering. This verse indirectly calls us to build deep and meaningful relationships with other believers. (v.15)
The Greek word for “mind” in verse 16 also contains the idea of affections. Believers should be unified in their thoughts and affections toward each other. Our concern shouldn’t be for our social status among other Christians, or how we are perceived, but for connecting with the left out or those who seem to be avoided by others.
It’s also important, especially I think for those who enjoy studying scripture, that we guard against thinking we’re the “wise” members of the community. Whatever wisdom we have we should humbly share without mentally assigning a “status” to ourselves. (v.16)
The old motto of “two wrongs don’t make a right” is biblically sound and almost mirrored here. Being wronged or neglected by a person (whether family, friend or acquaintance) doesn’t give us license to neglect doing good or quietly get payback somehow.
Although we are ultimately accountable only to God, God requires us to represent him well by doing what is right and honorable all the time, recognizing that the world is watching us. (v.17)
Next- Dealing With Being Wronged
Coffee House Question- What have been some of your barriers to developing deeper relationships with other Christians? How could you try to compensate for those barriers?
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