Applying God's Accommodation in Human Relationships and Communication
Accommodation, in a theological sense, refers to God's act of condescending to human limitations in revelation and relationship. This divine principle provides a model for human interaction, particularly in communication and fostering relationships.
The concept of communion with God is foundational to understanding accommodation in human relationships. It signifies a deep, personal, and experiential knowledge that extends beyond mere intellectual awareness [10]. This intimate relationship with God, exemplified by figures like Abraham and Moses who were called "friends of God," is considered the highest possible relationship between God and a person [12]. This communion is known through God giving "of his Spirit," indicating a communication of divine love and grace and an exercise of faith and love towards God [7].
Just as God accommodates humanity, believers are called to accommodate one another. This is evident in exhortations to communion and sympathy with others [4]. For instance, Romans 12:15 encourages believers to "rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep," demonstrating an empathetic connection [4]. This principle extends to various groups:
- The Afflicted and Chastened: Believers are urged to show compassion to those experiencing affliction [4]. Afflictions, while common to all, are understood to be for the good of individuals and the glory of God, and are to be borne with patience [5]. They can promote God's glory, exhibit His power, teach His will, and turn people towards Him [6].
- The Poor: Showing compassion to the poor is highlighted as a motive for communion [4]. Proverbs 19:17 states that whoever gives to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay [4].
- The Weak: Believers are called to bear the burdens of the weak [4].
- Saints: There is an expectation of mutual care among believers, where if one member suffers, all suffer together, and if one is honored, all rejoice together [4].
Hospitality is a key expression of accommodation in human relationships. Romans 12:13 encourages "communicating to the necessities of saints; given to hospitality" [1]. This is not a superficial hospitality but a genuine welcoming of those in need, especially those exiled for their faith, viewing them as representatives of Christ [11]. Such hospitality should be offered "without grudging" or murmuring, but with open-hearted sincerity and cordiality [11].
The apostle Paul frequently prayed for "a door for the word" to be opened, to speak the mystery of Christ [2]. This reflects a desire for effective communication, tailored to the audience. Similarly, Paul sent Tychicus to the Colossians "that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts" [3]. This demonstrates an understanding of the need to meet people where they are, addressing their specific situations and emotional states.
The "God of patience and consolation" is the author and foundation of all patience and consolation for believers [9]. This divine characteristic serves as a model for how believers should interact with one another, offering comfort and understanding. The concept of "acquainting oneself with God" (Job 22:21) implies a need for personal knowledge and peace with Him [8]. This intimate knowledge of God then informs and enables believers to extend similar understanding and peace to others.
Sources
- Romans “necessitatibus sanctorum communicantes : hospitalitatem sectantes. -- Romans 12:13”
- Colossians “praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; -- Colossians 4:3”
- Colossians “I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, -- Colossians 4:8”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Afflictions — Common to all (Job 5:7; 14:1; Ps. 34:19); are for the good of men (James 1:2, 3, 12; 2 Cor. 12:7) and the glory of God (2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Pet. 4:14), and are to be borne with patience by the Lord's people (Ps. 94:12; Prov. 3:12). They are all directed by God (Lam. 3:33), and will result in the everlasting good of his people (2 Cor. 4:16-18) in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:35-39).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 4:13: Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us,.... That there is a communion between God and us, and a communication of his love and grace to us, and an exercise of grace upon him; for God dwells in his people by his Spirit and grace, and they dwell in him by the exercise of faith and love upon him: and this is known, because he hath given us of his Spirit: not of the essence and nature of the Spirit, which is the same with the nature of the Father and of the Son, and is incommunicable; but either of the gifts of the Spirit, which are divided to every man as he ”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 22:20: Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace,.... Not with the righteous and innocent, but with God, as Job 22:22 show: from severe charges and censures, Eliphaz proceeds to advice and exhortations, and seems to be in a better temper, and to talk in a more kind and gentle manner, only he goes upon a false supposition and mistaken notion, that Job was a bad man; had he had a proper object to have directed his discourse to, it would have been excellently said; and, as it is, is not without its use: this first exhortation supposes unacquaintance with God, and an estrange”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 15:5: The apostle, having delivered two exhortations, before he proceeds to more, intermixes here a prayer for the success of what he had said. Faithful ministers water their preaching with their prayers, because, whoever sows the seed, it is God that gives the increase. We can but speak to the ear; it is God's prerogative to speak to the heart. Observe, I. The title he gives to God: The God of patience and consolation, who is both the author and the foundation of all the patience and consolation of the saints, from whom it springs and on whom it is built. He gives the ”
- Amos (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Amos 3:2: 3:2 The word translated been intimate indicates personal and experiential knowledge that often extends beyond mere intellectual awareness. It can indicate formal recognition and acknowledgment (Exod 1:8; 5:2), personal experience (Gen 2:17), or sexual relations (Gen 4:1). This word is frequently used of God’s relationship with Israel (Hos 5:3) and of Israel’s ideal relationship with God (Hos 2:20). Because of Israel’s privileged status, God would hold them accountable for all their sins, not just some of them. God holds people accountable in terms of what has been gi”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 4:9: (Rom 12:13; Heb 13:2.) Not the spurious hospitality which passes current in the world, but the entertaining of those needing it, especially those exiled for the faith, as the representatives of Christ, and all hospitality to whomsoever exercised from genuine Christian love. without grudging--Greek, "murmuring." "He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity," that is open-hearted sincerity; with cordiality. Not secretly speaking against the person whom we entertain, or upbraiding him with the favor we have conferred in him.”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 15:14: 15:14-16 Both Abraham and Moses were called friends of God (Exod 33:11; 2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; Jas 2:23). This is the highest relationship possible between God and a person. Jesus chooses his friends (John 15:16), who demonstrate their friendship by obeying him.”