Questions based on Readings

Hebrews 2:5 -18.

(1) What does Christ call those who are

sanctified (verses 11 and 13)?  (2) How

did Christ make Himself like 'the

children', and what did He do for them?

Isaiah 11.

(1) In what way does this make you think

of the Garden of Eden?

Write out from memory John 1:12.

To consider the various titles given by Paul to his friends in the

Faith and in service is an education in both Christian courtesy and the

essentials of Christian service.  Furthermore it affords encouragement both

for the lowly and the more highly gifted to press on in the fight of faith.

A chief characteristic of the apostle's choice of these titles is the way in

which he associates his friends with himself.  He does not speak of their

service as being rendered to himself, but rather expresses the desire that he

and they, whoever they may be, and whatever the character of their service,

may in blessed fellowship, both serve the Lord Christ.

First of all let us consider those titles given by Paul to his friends

that are prefixed by the word sun, 'together with'.

Sunkoinoneo; sunkoinonos: 'To have something in common with another'.

For the general meaning of the word see Ephesians 5:11.  In Revelation 1:9

the word is translated 'companion', and as this is the word we have adopted

in our title, Paul and his Companions, let us look for a moment at the make -

up of the word.  Even in its English composition it is suggestive.  Com, is

simply the Greek syn.  In Greek 's' was originally written 'c' and the ending

'm' or 'n' changes according to the consonant with which it sounds.  Thus in

English we say sympathy, and also synthesis.  The second part of the word

'companion' lives on in our word 'pantry' and originally meant 'the place

where bread is kept'.  Moreover, the reader will recognize in this latter

word the modern French word pain, 'bread'.  Originally, therefore, a

'companion' was one who had 'eaten bread with another'.  This may have been

bread shared in kindness, bread shared as a covenant, or bread shared as a

fellow -sufferer.  Out of all the churches to which he wrote, the apostle

gives signal honour to the Philippian church, by reserving this title for

'Both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel,

ye all are partakers of my grace' (Phil. 1:7).

'Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my

affliction' (4:14).

If we had no personal acquaintance with the truth, we might wonder how

the words 'my grace' in 1:7, become 'my affliction' in 4:14.  Reference to

Philippians 1:29 gives the link: 'For unto you it was graciously given

(charizomai) in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to

suffer for His sake'.  As one reads the epistle to the Philippians, and