Considering the Potential Impact of Our Example on Different Audiences
The example set by individuals, particularly those who profess faith, can significantly influence various audiences, leading to both positive and negative outcomes. This impact is not limited to direct interactions but extends to how one's actions are perceived and interpreted by others, including those within one's community, those outside it, and even adversaries [2, 8].
The Apostle Paul, for instance, recognized the power of his example in his ministry. He expressed a desire to provoke his "flesh" (his Jewish kinsmen) to "emulation" in the hope that some might be saved [1]. This suggests a strategic use of personal conduct and spiritual progress as a means to inspire others to consider the faith. Similarly, the early Christian community's actions, such as the disciples speaking in various languages on the day of Pentecost, had a profound impact on the diverse crowd, leading to widespread astonishment and attention [5].
However, the impact of one's example can also be a source of scrutiny and judgment. Matthew Henry notes that Jesus engaged in "edifying discourse" not only with his disciples but also with "strangers, nay, with enemies that watched him," taking occasion to reprove and instruct them [2]. This highlights that one's conduct is observed by a wide range of people, some of whom may be looking for fault. The Jewish leaders, for example, acknowledged the "many miracles" performed by Jesus, recognizing their "resistless effect" on the populace, even as they plotted against him [8]. Their concern was not the truth of the miracles but their impact on public opinion and Roman authority [8].
The concept of "judging" is also relevant when considering the impact of example. While individuals are called to exercise their own judgment, this responsibility can be misused [3]. Paul cautioned against judging based solely on "outward appearance," as some in Corinth were doing when they dismissed him for not making a grand "figure" [6]. This suggests that the perception of one's example can be superficial or based on external factors rather than true substance [6].
Furthermore, the way individuals manage their resources and possessions can serve as an example with significant implications. The parable of the unjust steward, as interpreted by Matthew Henry, illustrates the principle that how one uses "this world" and its "possessions and enjoyments" will either benefit or hinder them in the "other world" [4]. This implies that one's stewardship of material things sets an example that can have eternal consequences, influencing both the individual and those who observe their actions [4].
The influence of example can also transcend social strata. The message of the song in Jude 5:10 was intended to be heard and spread by both the "rich (those who ride)" and the "poor (those who walk)," indicating that the impact of a message or an example is not limited to a particular social class but is meant to have a broad "spiritual and social impact" as it is disseminated [7]. This underscores the idea that an example, whether positive or negative, can permeate various levels of society and affect diverse groups of people.
Sources
- Romans “Romans 11:14 (Webster) — If by any means I may incite to emulation [them who are] my flesh, and may save some of them.”
- 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”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 16 (introduction): The scope of Christ's discourse in this chapter is to awaken and quicken us all so to use this world as not to abuse it, so to manage all our possessions and enjoyments here as that they may make for us, and may not make against us in the other world; for they will do either the one or the other, according as we use them now. I. If we do good with them, and lay out what we have in works of piety and charity, we shall reap the benefit of it in the world to come; and this he shows in the parable of the unjust steward, who made so good a hand of his lord's”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 2:6: When this was noised abroad - If we suppose that there was a considerable peal of thunder, which followed the escape of a vast quantity of electric fluid, and produced the mighty rushing wind already noticed on Act 2:2, then the whole city must have been alarmed; and, as various circumstances might direct their attention to the temple, having flocked thither they were farther astonished and confounded to hear the disciples of Christ addressing the mixed multitude in the languages of the different countries from which these people had come. Every man heard them speak in”
- 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 10:7: In these verses the apostle proceeds to reason the case with the Corinthians, in opposition to those who despised him, judged him, and spoke hardly of him: "Do you," says he, "look on things after the outward appearance? Co2 10:7. Is this a fit measure or rule to make an estimate of things or persons by, and to judge between me and my adversaries?" In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despicable with some; he did not make a figure, as perhaps some of his competitors might do: but this was a false rule to make a judgment by. It should seem that some boas”
- Jude (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jude 5:10: 5:10 Both the rich (those who ride) and the poor (those who walk) were to listen and spread the song, which would have both a spiritual and a social impact as it was disseminated.”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 11:47: What do we? for this man doeth many miracles--"While we trifle, 'this man,' by His 'many miracles,' will carry all before Him; the popular enthusiasm will bring on a revolution, which will precipitate the Romans upon us, and our all will go down in one common ruin." What a testimony to the reality of our Lord's miracles, and their resistless effect, from His bitterest enemies!”