Balancing Evangelism and Respect for Others in Interactions
Christian evangelism, the sharing of the Gospel message, is to be balanced with a profound respect for others, reflecting biblical injunctions for humility, gentleness, and wisdom in interactions. The Apostle Paul frequently emphasizes the importance of how believers conduct themselves, particularly towards those outside the faith [4, 8].
A foundational principle for Christian interaction is humility and mutual respect. Paul exhorts believers in Romans 12:16 to "Be in harmony with one another. Do not have a high opinion of yourselves, but be in agreement with common people. Do not give yourselves an air of wisdom" [1]. This call for humility extends to interactions within the church and beyond, fostering an environment where individuals do not elevate themselves above others. Similarly, Ephesians 5:21 encourages believers to "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" [2], and Ephesians 4:2 calls for "all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love" [3]. The Tyndale House commentary on Ephesians 4:3 notes that this ethical application of mutual acceptance is particularly relevant for diverse groups within the church, such as Jews and Gentiles, who are to accept one another [5]. This principle of acceptance means more than mere toleration; it involves welcoming others, with their flaws, just as Christ has welcomed believers [6].
When engaging with those outside the Christian faith, believers are instructed to "Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time" (Colossians 4:5) [4]. Matthew Henry interprets this as a call for prudent and decent conduct, urging believers to avoid being corrupted by others' customs while also refraining from actions that might increase prejudice against religion [8]. Instead, the aim is to do good to others and, through wise conduct, to present the faith attractively [8]. This aligns with the broader instruction for believers to let their "conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27), which includes conducting oneself wisely towards those outside the church to avoid giving offense [10].
The ministry of reconciliation is central to evangelism. God has entrusted believers with the "message and ministry of reconciliation through Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:18) [12]. While Paul speaks of his own ministry, this responsibility to share the message of reconciliation is understood to extend to all believers, who act as Christ's ambassadors, inviting people to accept God's work through Christ [12]. This involves communicating the message that Christ paid the penalty for sins, removing barriers between God and humanity [12].
In the process of evangelism, believers may encounter varied responses, including both honor and dishonor, good report and evil report [7]. John Gill, commenting on 2 Corinthians 6:7, notes that some may speak honorably and treat believers with respect, while others may view them with contempt [7]. The Christian response, however, is not to be overly affected by such treatment [7]. The emphasis remains on the consistent, respectful proclamation of the Gospel.
The balance between evangelism and respect is also reflected in the pursuit of peace and the avoidance of strife. Proverbs 17:9 suggests that one who "seeketh love" is contrasted with a "tale-bearer," implying that fostering love and peace is paramount in interactions [9]. Even in challenging social settings, such as dining with strangers or those who might be considered adversaries, Jesus modeled profitable and edifying discourse, taking opportunities to instruct and reprove when necessary, without remaining silent about good [11]. This demonstrates that respectful engagement does not preclude sharing truth or offering correction, but it must be done in a manner consistent with the Gospel's call for humility and love.
Sources
- Romans “Romans 12:16 (BBE) — Be in harmony with one another. Do not have a high opinion of yourselves, but be in agreement with common people. Do not give yourselves an air of wisdom.”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:21 (BSB) — Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:2 (NASB) — with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,”
- Colossians “Colossians 4:5 (BSB) — Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:3: 4:3 binding yourselves together with peace: Paul’s emphasis on God’s acceptance of Gentiles as well as Jews (2:11–3:6) is now applied ethically: Jews and Gentiles are to accept one another in the church (see Col 3:14-15).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 15:7: 15:7 To accept each other means more than grudgingly putting up with each other. We are to welcome other believers, with all their flaws and sins, into our fellowship and treat them as family (see study note on 12:10), just as Christ has accepted us, with all our flaws and sins, into his fellowship and family (5:8-11).”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 6:7: By honour and dishonour,.... Some persons think and speak honourably of us, and behave in a reverent manner towards us; they wish us well, bid us God speed, receive us into their houses, and treat us with respect: others think meanly of us, speak of us with the utmost contempt, and use us as if we were the filth of the world, and the offscouring of all things; so we pass through the world; this is the treatment we meet with on the right hand and on the left; nor are we much affected with it: by evil report and good report; as it fares with our persons, so with”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 4:5: The apostle exhorts them further to a prudent and decent conduct towards all those with whom they conversed, towards the heathen world, or those out of the Christian church among whom they lived (Col 4:5): Walk in wisdom towards those who are without. Be careful, in all your converse with them, to get no hurt by them, or contract any of their customs; for evil communications corrupt good manners; and to do not hurt to them, or increase their prejudices against religion, and give them an occasion of dislike. Yea, do them all the good you can, and by all the fitt”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 17:9: seeketh love--(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 1:27: Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ,.... Or "behave as citizens worthy of the Gospel"; for not so much their outward conversation in the world is here intended, which ought to be in wisdom towards them that are without; so as to give no offence to any, and to put to, silence, the ignorance of foolish men, and them to confusion and: shame, who falsely accuse their good conversation in Christ; though this is what is highly becoming professors of the Gospel; and a moral conversation proceeding from principles of grace, under the influen”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 14:7: Our Lord Jesus here sets us an example of profitable edifying discourse at our tables, when we are in company with our friends. We find that when he had none but his disciples, who were his own family, with him at his table, his discourse with them was good, and to the use of edifying; and not only so, but when he was in company with strangers, nay, with enemies that watched him, he took occasion to reprove what he saw amiss in them, and to instruct them. Though the wicked were before him, he did not keep silence from good (as David did, Psa 39:1, Psa 39:2), for, no”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 5:18: 5:18-21 God entrusts to his servants the message and ministry of reconciliation through Christ. • God has given us this task of reconciling people: Paul is speaking of his own ministry, but sharing this wonderful message is the responsibility of all believers. Christ’s ambassadors call people to accept what God has done so they can be made right with God through Christ. • Christ paid the penalty for people’s sins—to take away all that stood between God and humans and to make us right with God.”