Saved to work

The reason a saint stays on earth until such time as either they die or the catching up occurs is because they have work to do:

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The work of the ministry is the responsibility of all saints

The God-given provision of apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastors and teachers for the Body of Christ at the start of dispensation of grace had as its target the saints:

Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Thus ministry work is not the sole responsibility of church leaders, but is shared amongst the whole church. We see this pictured in Paul’s ministry with his terminology such as ‘fellowlabourer’ and ‘fellowworker’:

Philippians 4:3 (KJV) And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Colossians 4:11 (KJV) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

The list of those who laboured in some way with Paul is extensive and demonstrates the collaborative nature of the work. That list includes:

Andronicus (Romans 16:7)

Aquila (Romans 16:3)

Archippus (Philemon 1:1)

Aristarchus (Philemon 1:24)

Clement (Philippians 4:3)

Demas (Philemon 1:24)

Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25)

Epaphras (Colossians 1:7)

Erastus (2 Timothy 4:20)

Junia (Romans 16:7)

Justus (Colossians 4:11)

Luke (Philemon 1:24)

Mark (Philemon 1:24)

Mary (Romans 16:6)

Phebe (Romans 16:1)

Philemon (Philemon 1:1)

Persis (Romans 16:12)

Prisca/Priscilla (Romans 16:3)

Silas (Silvanus) (Acts 15:40)

Sosthenes (1 Corinthians 1:1)

Timothy (Romans 16:21/1 Thessalonians 3:2)

Titus (2 Corinthians 8:23)

Tryphena (Romans 16:12)

Tryphosa (Romans 16:12)

Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7)

Urbane (Romans 16:9)

Women in Philippi (Philippians 4:3)

The increase of the body

It is when each saint contributes the working of God’s grace in them, and thereby takes part in the work of the ministry, that the Body of Christ is edified:

Ephesians 4:16 (KJV) [speaking of Christ] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

“every part” is each saint:

Romans 12:5 (KJV) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

That’s why it is called work

On multiple occasions Paul describes his work in the ministry as ‘labour’.

LA'BOR, n. L. labor, from labo, to fail.

1. Exertion of muscular strength, or bodily exertion which occasions weariness,

(Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language)

For example:

2 Corinthians 5:9 (KJV) Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Galatians 4:11 (KJV) I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Colossians 1:29 (KJV) Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

He uses similar terminology to describe the efforts of those working with him:

Romans 16:12 (KJV) Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 16:16 (KJV) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

Philippians 2:25 (KJV) Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

Philippians 4:3 (KJV) And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Colossians 4:12 (KJV) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

1 Timothy 5:17 (KJV) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Paul acknowledged that while it was he (his physical body) which laboured, in fact that labour was the consequence of God’s grace working in him:

1 Corinthians 15:10b (KJV) but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

And physically hard as it was, it was a joy:

Philippians 2:17 (KJV) Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

Paul also acknowledges in his epistles the ‘labouring’ aspect of the work the churches should be engaged in:

1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 (KJV) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

This confirms that the work of the ministry is the responsibility of all saints.

Paul’s experiences

Paul’s experiences in the ministry confirm it is not a walk in the park…

2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (KJV) Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

…and he acknowledged the difficulties his churches experienced as a direct result of their work in the ministry:

1 Thessalonians 1:6 (KJV) And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

2 Thessalonians 1:6 (KJV) Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

As a summary statement Paul tells us all what to expect as we carry out the work of the ministry:

2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.