Galatians 6:6 “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”
Today we look at a verse which we have seen in past studies, but haven’t really covered or focused on too much. Today in the Word of God, we are shown that those who are taught in the Word of God, should communicate with the one who teaches. However, as it shows in the last part of the verse, it should be done in all good things, not in strife or as though to cause trouble with the person teaching the Word.
When I was really young, not too long after I started actually living for Christ, I remember hearing a popular minister say something along the lines of how ministers and teachers of the Word, should be separated from those they minister and teach. It was said that they should not really be close or in a way, friends, but instead there should be a gap of “awe” or “respect” or “honour” to the point that the one teaching shouldn’t even be bothered with those being taught. It was taught that they shouldn’t be contacted that much, and should . . . well be separated from those being taught. I was still young in the faith and didn’t know too much, so I somewhat believed that minister. Afterall, I saw that sort of thing in the lives of many other ministers who basically would never keep in touch with those they would teach and minister, and if ever someone would think about talking to this person, as a person or even friend, or family in Christ, there would be a sense of “What?! Oh no, you can’t do that! This person is a minister of God!! If you want to talk to this person, you need to talk to someone who works for him/her, maybe the secretary or someone like that!”
However, something didn’t feel right about that teaching. God laid on my heart that it was wrong, and later on He showed me how our Lord tells us that if any of us seek to be great in the Faith, they will be servants, ministers to the rest of the body! As He says in Matthew 20:26-28 “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” As we grow and become mature and mighty in the Faith, we become more and more like Christ Jesus our Lord. Did our Lord ever refuse to be contacted, or did He make everyone go through His disciples first before reaching Him? No, He did quite the opposite, even kneeling down and holding a child when the disciples tried to keep children from “bothering” Him!
Now, it is true that ministers and teachers, and those who are great in the faith, should be shown respect and honour. This is why it is said in today’s verse, that it should be done In All Good Things. As we well know that we should give honour to all, and those who rule well in the Word and in the Doctrine, we should give double honour, as said in 1 Timothy 5:17 about the elders who are over us. We should give respect to those who are teachers, and ministers, because they are specially called by God to help us to know the Word of God.
Yet, we should not lift them on a pedestal, but instead just remember that they too are brothers and sisters in Christ, who have just been allowed of God to know things of the Word of God, and teach them to us.
Let’s remember what we have seen in a study we had quite a while back, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 “Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” All the teachers, great, and small alike, are yours! All the things in the world, the books and even nature itself, are yours! This is said, so that no one glorifies in men . . . so that we do not put those mighty in the faith, on pedestals . . . because the teachers belong to the taught! Those who are truly called and walking humbly in the calling they have been given by God, teach not to uplift themselves, but to Help those they Teach! Therefore, that is what the Word is saying in those verses above, those who are taught, have the teachers at their use, to learn and to gain and grow! On the other hand, those who teach just to have their voices heard and their names known, will tell those they teach, to not bother them because they are too special to be talked with!
So, as we know from today’s verse, those who are taught in the Word of God, should communicate with those who teach! Yet it should, again, be done in all good things, because those teachers, while not on a pedestal, deserve much respect and honour because God has set them in that position (and because many work hard in teaching, it’s not always easy).
Yet in all this we have to remember something else: that it is indeed work to teach. We can’t find ourselves expecting teachers and ministers to handle our every beck and call, but should, as said, communicate in all GOOD things (which means we should be considerate of them, and not bossy). Let’s remember what the Word of God says in Acts 6:1-4 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” The Apostles had too much to do, and the people were asking them to do these other things that would cause the Apostles to neglect the very calling that put them to be Ministers to the people! Therefore other ministers were put in charge of those things, so that the Apostles could continue and focus more on the calling they were put in by the Lord. Again, ministers being able to be contacted by those they ministered to . . . yet not causing so much stress to those who were unable to do everything. Yet the Apostles still were around and still were there for the people to talk with and learn from.
In all this, we need to remember that teachers, pastors, ministers, all those great in the Faith and who teach the Word of God, shouldn’t be lifted so high that they are considered “out of reach” by those being taught. Myself for example, I always urge everyone to keep in touch, and to let me know if something I say is confusing, or even if you think I said something unbiblical! Of course, right now, I’m working hard at being better able to be reached. I’m trying to get things settled to where I can get back in touch with those who contact me, within a day even (which it should be that way).
Also, if we look at the verses surrounding today’s verse, we can understand a few things as to WHY we should communicate with those who teach us. One can be understood by the first verse in the chapter, which tell us that if we see a person overcome in a fault, we who are spiritual and able to help, need to restore that person in the spirit of meekness. That goes for teachers also, who have been overtaken in a fault, who have stumbled, and even those who teach ungodly things. They need to be talked with, so that we can help that person get back up, or if need be, rebuke that teacher for teaching against the Word of God (and then help them back up)—yet always in the spirit of meekness, and watching ourselves so that we personally do not fall by trying to help that teacher out! Another thing is that if a teacher teaches those who never say anything to him/her, that teacher can become discouraged! We can understand that also, by when it, after today’s verse, reminds us not to grow weary in well doing. Though it’s not speaking mainly about teachers, but for all of us, we have to remember and realize that if a teacher has an “audience” who is all-day-every-day, so silent that you could hear a pin drop, it can make that teacher a little uneasy, or discouraged that he or she is not reaching the people, or not being understood by the people. Imagine yourself in front of a group of people, speaking to them. Isn’t it harder if the people are just so quiet and just staring at you . . . those who have given speeches like that can understand how it can make someone nervous (I’m not saying we should talk when someone is teaching, we shouldn’t, because can be disrespectful and distracting). However, wouldn’t it be so much easier if the people you were talking to, were somewhat like friends who you talked with and they talked with you, or you knew the people well enough?
All in all, let’s remember to talk with those who teach us the Word of God, in all good things. On a lighter note . . . I’ll take this opportunity to ask that if you have anything that you feel might need some explaining in the Word of God, anything that might be confusing in the Word, Please do let me know, and we can perhaps do a study on that thing! (Lol)
I love you much with godly, brotherly love, and do each day keep you in my prayers. Please remember to keep the rest of the Body of Christ in your prayers each day too, as we each definitely need prayer! May God guide us always, and help us to understand His Word, and I pray that God blesses you greatly and mightily in all you do. You have a great day today!
Love in Christ, Always,
Your friend forever,
And brother,
Chris/Michael
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Psalm 78:35 “And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.”
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