Epieikes
This word epieikes, translated as gentleness in the NIV, is considered one of the most untranslatable words in the N.T. It is used 5 times and presents us with a truly difficult concept. Instead of following the letter of the law, and rules and regulations, people who display true epieikes live with a Christ-like virtue of being able to precisely balance justice and mercy. Here, Paul is encouraging us, in light of mentioning the disagreement between two women, to make our epieikes known to all mankind. Epieikes is not easy and we should never move forward with a life of “reasonableness” without remembering the famous Hymn from chapter 2 of this letter. There, we’re reminded that Christ willingly gave up His Status, and became a servant for us. We need to understand that true Joy in the Lord is somehow connected to loss. This is a theme that runs through the Bible. We lose ourselves, but somehow gain God. Remember that concept as we move forward because epieikes leads to losing ourselves, our arguments, and our witty comebacks, in order to gain unity.
Let’s break down this whole passage and then discuss it a bit. This situation between these two ladies is vaguely discussed. Paul doesn’t mention sin here, or that one is in the right and the other wrong, just that they disagree. Paul was troubled by this disagreement, apparently not because there was a disagreement, but that it was between two faithful servants that he sees as important in the work of the kingdom. These were two significant players in the work of Christ and for whatever reason they became two minds instead of “ONE MIND” as Paul encouraged believers to have in Chapter 2. I believe that Paul was completely comfortable with the fact that not everyone would see eye to eye. Certainly he had experienced this countless times as he expanded the work of the kingdom to the gentiles. Disagreements were not the issue. The disagreement became divisive. Unity was sacrificed. That was the issue.
Epieikés describes the ability to extend the kind of consideration that we wish to receive ourselves. The person who is epieikes knows when it is actually wrong to apply the strict letter of the law, knows how to forgive when justice gives the right to condemn, knows how to make allowances, knows how to temper justice with mercy and remembers there are greater things in world than rules and regulations.
Think of the narrative about Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. Jesus would have been perfectly just in condemning the woman. But, he chose a different route. He chose epieikes.
Where there is no unity, there is no Joy. We must seek to embrace the balance between justice and mercy. In disagreements we must work even harder to restore and sustain unity. Unity transcends right and wrong in a sense. Is this a difficult concept for you? How do we let someone know that we are “working with them, not against them” when we genuinely disagree with them? To live a life of epieikes will be challenging, but the reward will be unity. We shouldn't be afraid of disagreements. But, when disagreements sacrifice unity, then I believe our Lord is not glorified. Christ followers must diligently seek the "high" road, and allow for diversity in opinions on hot-button topics. In all things we should strive to be people of epieikes.
Created almost 2 years ago
