1 Corinthians 16:9

OPEN DOORS AND ADVERSARIES

‘A great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.’

1 Corinthians 16:9

St. Paul’s ‘great and effectual door’ was at Ephesus (see Acts 18, 19). How was the opposition met? St. Paul changed his tactics, but he never changed his message. He was a man who believed in adaptation. Thus, when he found that opposition was growing, he withdrew from the synagogue and went into the school of one Tyrannus. The work was done gradually and slowly, but still most effectually, and there was, in consequence, a large gathering into the Church.

The Christian Church of to-day has to contend with ‘adversaries.’ Here are some of them:—

I. Unspiritual workers.— Acts 19:14 shows that there was a great deal of sorcery and false teaching going on, but St. Paul left these false teachers alone, and God dealt with them. Let us take great care that our ministry, our work, is genuine, and that we preach and teach a personal Saviour—One of Whom we know in our own personal experience.

II. Spiritual depression.—St. Paul does not expressly mention this, but he may have been tempted to despond, in the face of open hostility. Do not despair, but rather persevere in good work, and the blessing will come.

III. Mechanicalism.—There is not a little connection between depression and mechanicalism. As soon as we get depressed the fire and life seem to go out of our work, and when we get mechanical we sink into a dull and sluggish condition.

IV. Pride.—This is doing a great deal of harm in the Church of God. If God is blessing us with success, we may see how pride steps in. As long as the spirit of soreness and jealousy is there, it will do much to darken our lives and cripple our usefulness. If we can conquer pride we shall be better able to cope with other temptations.

‘Open doors’ and ‘adversaries’ will come, but we may conquer difficulties by a close walk with God and confidence in our message.

Rev. W. H. Hewett.

Illustration

‘To Ephesus, as the capital of the Roman province, and the centre of provincial life, there poured multitudes daily from every quarter of Asia. Hither Gentiles and Jews alike hastened continually on errands of business, religion, and pleasure. And the lecture-room of Tyrannus welcomed all who came, whether attracted by curiosity or by love of the truth. By degrees St. Paul had gathered round him a band of evangelists who carried the Gospel back to their own Asian towns. Thus, to those seven cities of Asia, and to others not numbered in the mystical seven, the faith was first brought; churches were planted and organised, or (to use the Apocalyptic figure) the Divine candlestick was set up, ministering the oil of grace through the golden channels of apostolic order, and burning brightly amid pagan darkness. Thus, St. Paul’s figure of a great door set open exactly describes his joy at finding the Gospel penetrate so soon from Ephesus through Asia.’