Whereunto I am ordained a preacher,
and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of
the Gentiles in faith and verity.
As we saw earlier on in
Chapter 1, Paul was commissioned by the Lord, to be an Apostle to the Gentiles
to declare the Gospel. Here, Paul states this fact again. Adding that he is a
teacher of Faith and Truth and ordained to be a preacher. This “ordination”
carries with it some significance. First of all, Paul was ordained to be a
preacher. In Romans 10, the Word says how shall they (Gentiles, Lost) hear (the
Gospel, Truth) without a Preacher?
In Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary, ordain is defined as to appoint,
to prepare, so set apart for an office. Ordainable as “appointable”
and ordained as appointed, instituted, established, invested
with ministerial or pastoral functions, settled.
Paul was not
ordained by mere men, although the local church did send them out as
missionaries; but was ordained (appointed, set apart) by God to be minster.
Here we see the important principle of a God-ordained calling. God can call a
man to anything, not just “ministry.” Have you sought God and asked Him what
your calling is?
8 I will therefore that men pray
every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
1 Tim 2:7-8 (KJV)
In the time period Paul lived in, it was common
for men to pray standing with their hands lifted toward heaven. Even pagan idol
worshipers would do this. Paul says, that he wants Christian men everywhere to
lift up their hands (a sign of surrender and trust in the Lord) without wrath
(anger) or doubting. Something just happens, men, when you lift your hands to
the Lord and pray. It is like a burden is lifted, anger disciples, and doubt
flees as your full attention is on the Lord. I encourage you as Paul did, lift
up your hands in prayer.
