Christian Fellowship Encouragement and Correction in Recent Times
Christian fellowship involves mutual encouragement and correction, as evidenced in various New Testament passages. The Apostle Paul, for instance, emphasizes the importance of "fellowship of spirit" and "comfort of love" among believers [1]. This mutual support is not merely for personal benefit but also for the collective strengthening of faith [7].
Encouragement within Christian fellowship often takes the form of reminding believers of foundational truths and exhorting them to persevere. Paul's desire to be comforted together with the Roman Christians by their mutual faith illustrates this reciprocal nature of encouragement [7]. Similarly, the author of 2 Peter expresses a continuous commitment to remind believers of necessary graces for their spiritual journey, indicating that ongoing admonition is vital [8]. Even when facing personal tribulations, apostles like Paul viewed their sufferings as a source of spiritual glory for the churches they served, furthering the faith of believers [9].
Correction, or admonition, is also a significant aspect of Christian fellowship. This can involve addressing those who are "unruly" or disorderly, such as idle individuals who neglect their responsibilities [6]. The purpose of such correction is not to condemn but to guide believers back to a path of sincerity and righteousness [10]. The early church faced situations where individuals preached Christ from "envy and strife" or "selfish ambition," rather than from good will [2, 4]. While these actions were problematic, the overall message of Christ was still proclaimed [2, 3, 4]. This highlights a nuanced approach to correction, where the message itself might be affirmed even if the motives of the messenger are flawed.
Hospitality is another practical expression of fellowship, where believers are encouraged to welcome those in need, especially those suffering for their faith, without grumbling or secret resentment [5]. This act of hospitality, when exercised with genuine Christian love, serves as a form of encouragement and mutual support within the community [5].
Sources
- Philippians “Philippians 2:1 (YLT) — If, then, any exhortation <FI>is<Fi> in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any bowels and mercies,”
- Philippians “The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains; -- Philippians 1:16”
- Philippians “Quidam autem ex contentione Christum annuntiant non sincere, existimantes pressuram se suscitare vinculis meis. -- Philippians 1:17”
- Philippians “Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. -- Philippians 1:15”
- 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.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 5:14: Now we exhort you, brethren,.... This is said either to the ministers of the word that laboured among them, presided over them, and admonished them; and the rather, because some of these things here directed to are pressed upon the members of the church in Th1 5:11 and which otherwise must make a repetition here; or to the members in conjunction with their pastors: warn them that are unruly; or disorderly, idle persons, working not at all, busying themselves with other men's matters, and living upon the church's stock, reprove them for their sloth, exhort t”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 1:12: That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me--"Not wishing to "lord it over their faith," but rather to be a "helper of their joy," the apostle corrects his former expressions: my desire is to instruct you and do you good, that is, for us to instruct and do one another good: in giving I shall also receive" [JOWETT]. "Nor is he insincere in so speaking, for there is none so poor in the Church of Christ who may not impart to us something of value: it is only our malignity and pride that hinder us from gatherin”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 1:12: Wherefore--as these graces are so necessary to your abundant entrance into Christ's kingdom (Pe2 1:10-11). I will not be negligent--The oldest manuscripts read, "I will be about always to put you in remembrance" (an accumulated future: I will regard you as always needing to be reminded): compare "I will endeavor," Pe2 1:15. "I will be sure always to remind you" [ALFORD]. "Always"; implying the reason why he writes the second Epistle so soon after the first. He feels there is likely to be more and more need of admonition on account of the increasing ”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 3:13: "I entreat you not to be dispirited." for you--in your behalf. which is--rather, "which are your glory," namely, inasmuch as showing that God loved you so much, as both to give His Son for you, and to permit His apostles to suffer "tribulations" for you [CHRYSOSTOM] in preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. See on Eph 3:1, "prisoner for you Gentiles." My tribulations are your spiritual "glory," as your faith is furthered thereby (Co1 4:10).”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 5:8: Therefore let us keep the feast - It is very likely that the time of the passover was now approaching, when the Church of Christ would be called to extraordinary acts of devotion, in commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ; and of this circumstance the apostle takes advantage in his exhortation to the Corinthians. See the Introduction, Section 12. Not with old leaven - Under the Christian dispensation we must be saved equally from Judaism, heathenism, and from sin of every kind; malice and wickedness must be destroyed; and sincerity and tr”