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By Bishop FELIPE GAXIOLA The Cape of the Apostle PaulI have never heard anyone preach on this scripture. Furthermore, I searched for this Greek word in the Bible dictionary and couldn't find it. This verse has always caught my attention. Could it be that the Apostle Paul was as fond of reading books as I am? Certainly I don't propose to write about the books that the Apostle Paul forgot in Troas. Better yet, let's talk about the cape of Paul. A cape is a cloak or coat with which we cover ourselves when it rains or is cold. Winter was near in Rome and Paul needed it. It was for this reason that he asked Timothy to bring it with him when he came to visit. It's possible he might have forgotten it at the harbor of Troas, and now that he was in Rome he missed it. The jailcell where he found himself incarcerated was very cold and he needed his cape to protect his weak and sickened body from the elements of the cruel Roman winter. This word has been used in regards to the cape the matadors use when in an arena to bull-fight. From there comes the verb to "weather", which is to say, among other things, "to straighten out, fix". Once the matador is in the arena, he must weather the situation, for the bull not to impale him with its horns. His only defense is a piece of cloth called a cape. The Apostle Paul was pastor of a good number of churches. He knew how to straighten out the "know-it-all's" that were in Corinth. He handled his cape well with the "legalists" of Galatia. The brilliantly straightened out the Ephesians, who were given into "lust". He straightened out the "divided" Philippians by united them with the epistle of joy. He disarmed the Colossians, who thought themselves "perfect", by presenting them to Christ, the only perfect one. We, the pastors, who have traveled through different classes of congregations, are confronted with situations much like that of the Apostle Paul. In some churches there are people who are know-it-all's, in other churches there are members who think themselves very legalistic. Then comes a church where the members are very lustful. Sometimes, it will be time to pastor a church where the members think they are perfect. The matador, in addition to his cape, confronts the bull with a sword. To survive against such a strong adversary, the matador has to kill the bull. If you have read well the letters of the Apostle Paul, you probably noticed that he never killed (spiritually) any member of the aforementioned churches. He straightened them out with doctrine, instruction, Scripture, compassion, etc. But he never brought about spiritual death. Many of us pastors need a cape like that of the Apostle Paul. A cape used with patience, tolerance, and with wisdom. We seem to also lack a cape of Biblical knowledge. The authority of the Apostle Paul to straighten out the "bulls" of Asia Minor was supported by his vast knowledge of the Scriptures. In contrast to much of us, who impose rules without Biblical basis, Paul had the courage and sincerity to say on occasion: "would it be better", - "this is my opinion", etc. If you, as pastor, were to become
occupied in knowing the Word of God and applying it as Paul did,
you could straighten out whatever "bull" would come
that thinks it knows more than the pastor. We're listening! Send us your comments, staff@inspiredchristian.org. |
