In our Greek-based world, we like to think that a man stands on
his own. We want to believe that my personal standards are not
to be confused with those of my closest associates. But that
isn't Paul's point of view. Paul is so confident in his
discipleship of others that he can point to them as evidence of
his own walk with God. That’s an amazing claim. It says that he
has done such a thorough job of bringing others into alignment
with what he believes and how he behaves that I am seeing Paul
in his apprentices. Could I say that about myself? Have I done
that kind of journeyman work with those who area under my care?
Are my letters of recommendation inscribed on the hearts of
others?
The Greek word here is epistole, the usual word for “letter,”
but here is it used as a synonym for sustatikos, (from the
preceding verse). It means a letter of commendation. On a job
application, this is the section called “References.” Here’s the
insight that Paul gives us. A written letter of reference is
simply a snap-shot of a person. It’s usually a glowing
recommendation about the person in question, but it doesn't
really tell me much more than what I expected. What if my letter
of recommendation was your life? What if I pointed to the
transformation in you as my credentials. That really says
something about me! If I am going to be an effective biblical
leader, if I am going to be a true servant-follower, then I must
have living recommendation letters. I must have fruit that shows
up in others. Without it, I'm just a poster child, no matter
what the resume says.
