What Paul can teach us about social distance

In 2020, during the coronavirus-associated pandemic, Covid-19, there was a lot of talk about social distancing. One could not immediately conclude that Paul was an example of "social distancing". But the truth is, Paul spent much of his time apart and isolated from others. 

Part of this was imposed on him by others, and part was self-imposed. Let's think about that for a moment.There were those who tried to deliver Paul from his existence on earth (unlike what he once tried to deliver the world from Christians - Acts 22: 1-5; 1 Timothy 1: 12-15). 

Paul was repeatedly taken out of town (see Acts 14:50; 17: 13-14). They almost tore him apart in Jerusalem (Acts 22: 22-23), conspired to kill him (Acts 23: 12-15), and thought they had done it in Lystra (Acts 14:19). False accusations and government appeasement eventually led to Paul's imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28: 17). 

This does not overlook his imprisonment in Philippians (Acts 16: 16). And Caesarea (Acts 23: 29). Legal action was taken against Paul in an effort to deprive him of his rights and protections as a Roman citizen (Acts 18: 12-17). 

To this we could add a list of other adversities that Paul suffered (2 Corinthians 11: 23-29). It should also be noted that Satan also prevented Paul from visiting the churches (1 Thessalonians 2: 17-18). Beyond these obstacles to social interaction, there were also what we might call Paul's "self-imposed" separation. 

Paul did not used to (spend the time in Ephesus and Corinth) spend a lot of time anywhere because he wanted to preach the gospel somewhere else, particularly where it had not been preached yet (Romans 15: 18-21). He kept going, even when encouraged to stay (Acts 18: 19-21).

Paul's ministry was international, and because of his concern for the churches (some of which he had founded and others that others had founded) he would press to be able to minister his gifts to many face to face (Colossians 2: 1 -3; 1 Thessalonians 2:17; 3:10). 

Part of Paul's "separation" from the believers was due to his concern that he not become overly dominant, and that the gifts and ministries of others might be encouraged. Therefore, Paul sent team members such as Timothy and Titus to minister on his behalf.

 With all this in mind, let's accept that Paul experienced his own version of "social distancing," and this for much of his life, far more than you and I will endure during this pandemic. But the important thing to note is that this did not prevent his ministry to others; in fact he improved it:

 12) I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation actually turned out to advance the gospel: 13. The entire imperial guard and everyone else knows that I am in prison for the good of Christ, 14 and most of the brothers and sisters. sisters. 

Trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, now more than ever he dares to speak the word without fear (Philippians 1: 12-14)

With all the restrictions on Paul's social interaction, no one has had a greater impact on the saints in the past 2,000 years than he. The explanation, in a nutshell, is this: Paul's priorities were those of his fellow apostles:

 3 But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well attested, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom, whom we can put in charge of this necessary task. 4 But we will dedicate ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word ”(Acts 6: 3-4, emphasis mine).

These priorities, prayer and the ministry of the Word, have not changed over time.

 The means and mechanisms by which they are carried out will and should change. When he was confined in a prison cell, Paul's priorities were prayer and the ministry of the Word. Evangelism took place wherever Paul was, including prison (Acts 16: 23-40; Philippians 4: 21-23; 

Philemon 1: 10-11). And to these new believers and fledgling churches, Paul constantly wrote (at least three letters to the Corinthians - see 1 Corinthians 5: 9), exposing the correct doctrine (Romans), exposing false doctrine (Galatians) and ungodly life (1 Corinthians). 

Paul's prayer life embarrasses most of us. Paul knew what was happening in the churches, knew his struggles, trials, and temptations. He knew the saints and their small group meetings, even in churches he had never visited (see Romans 16). He asked for prayers for himself (Romans 15: 30-33; Ephesians 6: 19-20).

 And beyond this, Paul sent others to learn how the saints were doing (2 Corinthians 7: 4-16; 8: 6-24).Paul's ministry was not limited by his "social estrangement," but was greatly improved, because we now have in his hands his teaching, exhortation, warnings, and prayer, as the church has done for 2,000 years. 

And this was accomplished by Paul's commitment to "prayer and the ministry of the Word." However, it had no Christian publishers and bookstores, newspapers, radio, television, the Internet, or Face book and Twitter. The mail took days, at best, and months at worst. Communication was not easy in Paul's day.

Conclusion 

With all the "social networks" we have at our disposal, how much greater are our opportunities and responsibilities? Like Paul, let us make use of our "social distancing" for the glory of God and the good of his people. We are, in the words of Paul (somewhat misused) "without excuse".