Today’s post is Romans 6. I wrote this 5 years ago, but it’s still applicable today.
Romans 6…
CHRIST’S REPRESENTATIVES
“(17) And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Bible study
Studying the Bible (as with most literature) involves at least three steps. First, observation – what does the text say; second, interpretation – what does the text mean; third, application – how do I apply the text. For teachers and preachers there is a fourth step, communication – how do I communicate the meaning and application to my audience. The order is critical. Observation must come first, before we try to interpret the text – otherwise we are in danger of making a wrong interpretation. And interpretation must precede application to avoid making an incorrect application.
It is true that many Bible verses are so clear that we can skip straight to applying the verse to our lives. But with other verses there is a danger to read the text too quickly and superficially, and so jump to an incorrect interpretation and application. And, since in most cases, the practical application of the Bible verse to our lives is the goal, we can end up believing wrong things and behaving in an inappropriate manner.
Three observations
The first half of the verse in the original Greek reads literally like this: “And all things, whether you do (them) in word or deed, (do it) all in the name of the Lord Jesus”.
First observation
As my literal translation tries to make clear, the emphasis is on the word “ALL”, which is used twice in this half-verse. Also, In the original Greek text the words “do it” are not actually in the verse. We add it because it is implied. But the stress is on “all”. Our CSB version quoted above tries to capture this emphasis by using the words “whatever’” and “everything.” The point is that this verse is addressing everything that we do and say.
Second observation
The verse begins with “And”, and therefore seems to be an additional instruction to be added to the previous teaching. Now that we have observed this, the interpretative question is: does this verse refer only to verse 16 (the teaching and worshipping whole church service) giving us an additional instruction on how to conduct ourselves in the “church service”. Or does it reach back to verse 12 giving us an additional instruction on how to live out the broad commands to general godliness in verses 12-17. Or is it a new thought about representing Christ in all our words and actions in our everyday lives?
Third observation
“in the name of the Lord Jesus” had the idea of “as the representative of the Lord Jesus”. When an ambassador presents himself to the king or president of the host country, he says something like “I come to serve my home country in the name of my king or president”. He is the official representative of his home country and leader. Likewise, we have the privilege of being the representatives of the risen Lord Jesus Christ – who sits at the right hand of the Father (vs. 1).
Three interpretations
One of the keys to interpretation is context. Which one of the three possible interpretations best fits the context.
In the church service
Verse 16 had focused on the “words” used in the “church service” – teaching and instructing the Word of Christ, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. So, if our verse 17 only refers back to the “church service”, then the apostle is saying in effect: not only your words but everything you do in the service should be done as Christ would do it. This includes the leadership’s planning and structuring the service and perhaps more importantly our enthusiastic participation in the service. The additional words “giving thanks to God the Father through him,” might be more appropriate to the church service where thanksgiving is an integral part of every church service.
In the body of Christ (the church)
Verses 12-16 contain a strong exhortation to a broad range of godly attitudes and behaviors that should characterize the interaction of believers in the Body of Christ – the church. We are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We are to bear with each other and forgive one another. We are to be loyally and sacrificially committed to one another. We are called to allow the peace of Christ is to be the standard in our interactions, and particularly in solving disputes and disagreements in the church. And finally, our gatherings are to focus on the Word of Christ and the worship of the triune God. So, if verse 17 reaches all the way back to reaches all the way back to verse 12, the apostle is saying: in all the words you use and actions you take in trying to implement these godly attitudes and behaviors remember that you are Christ’s representatives committed to inculcating these godly attitudes and behaviors in your church, Bible study group, or other Christian fellowship by your Christ-like example. Not only say and do the right thing but say and do them in a Christ-like way – with his grace and winsomeness!
In the world
However, it may be that verse 17 is introducing a new thought – of how to behave in the world outside of the church.
In this case, the apostle would be saying: Not only in the church (vs.12-16), but in your everyday life you are to behave like a representative of Christ. In our jobs, with our families, in our neighborhoods, in our sport and leisure activities – in “everything” we say and do we are to act as an ambassador of Christ. We are his representative in our workplaces. His grace, his winsomeness, his godliness, his attitudes, and behaviors are to characterize ALL we say and do. This third option seems more probable to me.
There is a great verse in Paul’s letter to the Philippians – “let your graciousness be known to everyone” – which in context seems to apply to both our interactions within the church and our representation of Christ in the world at large.
Giving thanks
Thankfulness is mentioned in each of verses 15, 16 and 17. Being Christ’s representative is such a privilege! That selfish, stubborn, and rebellious sinners like us can represent Christ in our churches and our world is a miracle of God’s grace. But it is reality. We are forgiven, we are righteous in his sight, we are indwelt by Christ through the Holy Spirit, we will one day have perfect resurrection bodies when we rule and reign with Christ on the restored earth.
Takeaway
Perhaps Paul intended verse 17 to be broad enough to cover all three interpretations above – in our church services, within our Christian fellowship, and in the larger world. Regardless, the point is that we have purpose and meaning to our lives right now – to be godly, gracious, and winsome ambassadors of Christ in ALL facets of our lives. We are under orders. We serve King Jesus. That’s our purpose in life. Our churches, our workplace, our families, our neighborhoods, and our leisure activities are simply the “host country” in which we are ambassadors.
What a privilege! And we are so thankful that God’s grace in and through Christ has changed our focus from serving ourselves to serving our heavenly King.
My prayer for 2024 is that we may be gracious and thankful representatives of Christ in ALL we do and say in each of our respective “host countries”.
Grace and peace, Brian
12 Marks of a Man of God 