Showing Kindness To Disciples In Christian Service
Showing Kindness to Disciples in Christian Service
The concept of showing kindness to disciples in Christian service is rooted in biblical teachings and has been emphasized throughout Christian history. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that kindness shown to his disciples is considered a service to him (Matthew 18:5) [7]. The apostle Paul also highlights the importance of kindness and hospitality towards fellow believers, instructing the Romans to "share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality" [1].
The early Christian community took these teachings seriously, with the practice of hospitality being a hallmark of their faith. The apostle Paul commends the Thessalonians for their kindness and gentleness towards him and his companions, noting that such behavior greatly recommends the Christian faith [6]. In his commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:7, Matthew Henry observes that the apostle's gentle behavior among them was a key aspect of his ministry.
The importance of kindness towards disciples is not limited to the New Testament era. The early Church Fathers also emphasized the value of showing kindness to those in Christian service. For example, Clement of Rome writes that those who show kindness to God's servants will be recompensed by God [10].
In the Reformed tradition, John Calvin notes that the various endowments and gifts that believers possess are to be used for the benefit of others, likening these gifts to the different members of the body, each with its own function [8]. This understanding underscores the importance of kindness and generosity towards others, particularly those in Christian service.
The practice of kindness towards disciples is also reflected in Jewish tradition. The Midrash Rabbah records a story about Hillel the Elder, who considered bathing in the bathhouse a mitzvah (good deed) because it was a way of caring for the body, which is a temple [9].
In Christian service, kindness can take many forms, including hospitality, financial support, and emotional encouragement. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, kindness is a fruit of the Spirit and is characterized by meekness, humility, and sincerity [2, 3, 4]. By showing kindness to disciples in Christian service, believers demonstrate their love for Christ and their commitment to his mission.
The reward for showing kindness to disciples is not limited to this life. According to Jesus, those who show kindness to his disciples "shall not lose their reward" [5]. This promise underscores the importance of treating those in Christian service with kindness and respect.
Sources
- Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
- Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 9:41: Here, I. Christ promiseth a reward to all those that are any way kind to his disciples (Mar 9:41); "Whosoever shall give you a cup of water, when you need it, and will be a refreshment to you, because ye belong to Christ, and are of his family, he shall not lose his reward." Note, 1. It is the honour and happiness of Christians, that they belong to Christ, they have joined themselves to him, and are owned by him; they wear his livery and retainers to his family; nay, they are more nearly related, they are members of his body. 2. They who belong to Christ, may someti”
- 1 Thessalonians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Thessalonians 2:7: In these words the apostle reminds the Thessalonians of the manner of his conversation among them. And, I. He mentions the gentleness of their behaviour: We were gentle among you, Th1 2:7. He showed great mildness and tenderness who might have acted with the authority of an apostle of Christ. Such behaviour greatly recommends religion, and is most agreeable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in and by the gospel. This great apostle, though he abhorred and avoided flattery, was most condescending to all men. He accommodated himself to all men's capacit”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 18:5: And whoso shall receive one such little child,.... Which is to be understood, not literally but metaphorically; meaning not such an one in age, but one, as the Syriac renders it, , "that is as this child": like unto it for modesty and humility; one, that is as that, free from pride, ambition, and envy. Christ's sense is, that whoever receives his disciples, that are meek and lowly, into their houses, or into their hearts and affections; that receives their ministry and message, embraces the Gospel preached by them with readiness and cheerfulness, with faith and love,”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 62: liberal communication of them with others. There cannot be a surer rule, nor a stronger exhortation to the observance of it, than when we are taught that all the endowments which we possess are divine deposits 2011 entrusted to us for the very purpose of being distributed for the good of our neighbour. But Scripture proceeds still farther when it likens these endowments to the different members of the body ( 1 Cor. 12:12 ). No member has its function for itself, or applies it for its own private use, but transfers it to its fellow-”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Vayikra Rabbah 34:3: Another matter, “if…will become poor” – that is what is written: “The man of kindness does good for himself” (Proverbs 11:17), this is Hillel the elder, who, when he would take leave from his disciples, would walk with them. His disciples said to him: ‘Our teacher, where are you going?’ He said to them: ‘To perform a mitzva.’ They said to him: ‘What mitzva is this?’ He said to them: ‘To bathe in the bathhouse.’ They said to him: ‘Is that a mitzva?’ He said to them: ‘Yes. If the statues of kings that are placed in theaters and circuses, the one who is appoin”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. IX.--HONOUR THE BISHOP. (part 2): by nature, of the Father. Let all things therefore be done by you with good order in Christ. Let the laity be subject to the deacons; the deacons to the presbyters; the presbyters to the bishop; the bishop to Christ, even as He is to the Father. As ye, brethren, have refreshed me, so will Jesus Christ refresh you. Ye have loved me when absent, as well as when present. God will recompense you, for whose sake ye have shown such kindness towards His prisoner. For even if I a”