The word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver Proverbs 25:11 (CEV)
Do you remember the last time you could have used some encouragement? When you felt depleted, weary, and knew that the presence of someone to look you in the eye and speak that timely word was just what you needed?
A parallel question is: When was the last time your words refreshed someone else’s spirit?
I think about this when reading the end of First Corinthians. Paul has established the church in Corinth about six years earlier. The city of Corinth, with its 600,000 inhabitants and its seaport, is an emporium of commerce–and vice—for half the known world. It is a center of sensuality with a thousand female prostitutes dedicated to the worship of Aphrodite—the Vanity Fair of the Roman Empire.
On his second missionary journey Paul had spent eighteen months establishing the church. Here is a sampling of events during that time:
- To support himself, he returns to the trade learned as young man—tent-making—along with a wonderful couple, Aquila and Priscilla, forming a lifelong friendship.
- Silas and Timothy join him, bringing much needed financial aid from the church in Philippi.
- The ruler of the synagogue, Crispus, along with his household, is baptized.
- Subsequently, the opposition in the synagogue is so vicious that Paul and his converts move to a room nearby offered by a believer named Justus.
- During this time, Paul suffers much from physical weakness and depressed spirits. His preaching, however, results in the conversion of many Gentiles, and the founding of a number of daughter churches.
- Due to the continuing bitter hatred of the Jews in the synagogue, he is brought up on charges of acting contrary to the Law. The Roman proconsul throws out the charges. (Paul’s indignation at these events can be read in I Thessalonians 2:14-16.)
There is another factor here. The Corinthian believers are products of their culture. The vain, immoral, venal spirit of the city is manifesting by degrees in this fellowship.
Now, in the spring of A.D. 57, on his third missionary journey, Paul is in Ephesus, where he has been ministering for three years. Disturbing reports have reached him about moral problems and divisions in Corinth. And then a letter arrives from the church with questions that disturb him further. And so he writes this letter. It must be made clear that Paul loves this church deeply. He assures them of his love even as he must correct them severely.
And Paul has visitors—Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus from Corinth, who likely brought the letter from the church. Stephanas and his family were the first converts in southern Greece, and were baptized by Paul. As they filled Paul in on the sad state of affairs in Corinth, they would have been mindful of the effect on the apostle of the unfortunate news. They would have been able to see his need for cheer, for encouragement, for a lifting of his spirits. And so they provide it. We can infer that they reported, not just the problems, but progress, as well. A positive word about a family, perhaps some good news about recent converts, optimistic reports from daughter churches.
How do we know this? Paul writes:
For they refreshed my spirit and yours.
They were words at the right time, precious and comforting.
What are some characteristics of a refresher?
- Your words are sincere. Not happy talk.
- You know the person to whom you are speaking and are a conduit of the Holy Spirit with words that speak life.
- Your face, your countenance, conveys cheer.
- You may, as the Holy Spirit leads, take a moment to pray over the person with an uplifting faith.
- You may feel free to bring levity, even laughter, into the conversation. Not frivolity, but a touch of joy that lifts the spirit.
Remember your pastor, your pastor’s spouse, those in church leadership. You might be surprised at how seldom people minister to those who lead them, take the time to speak refreshment into their hearts.
In a recent message, our son told about a man several years ago who asked to meet with him, his pastor. He expected a problem, a conflict, something in which he was most likely expected to intervene. They met at a local pizza place. After they had sat down and their order came, Nicolas finally asked about the reason for the meeting. “Oh, there’s no problem,” was the response. “I just wanted to know how you’re doing.” Nicolas almost face-planted in his pizza.
Don’t neglect this part of your spiritual life. We are all capable of paying attention, of offering those words in that moment. And remember: By being someone who knows how to refresh the spirit of another, your own inner wells are filled in a most wonderful, divine reciprocation.
Photo: Ruins Corinth and Acrocorinth, Dispatches Europe