The Father and My Father... (examining the concept of a Father in The Lord or Spiritual Father)
Matthew 23:9 (KJV) And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Someone with the aid of the above text approached me with the aim of finding out if the concept of referring to another believer as your "Father in The Lord" isn't an error.
Below are (were) my answers:
A basic rule of bible study is contextual reading.
It goes thus…Read the pretext (several verses before the text), it’s safest to start where the maker of the statement began or where the statement in issue takes its distinction from.
Observe that words like therefore are conditional, but infers an exception or a contrast, Now many times in old grammatical texts means therefore e.g. 1st john3:2, Hebrews 11:1 etc.
Read the post text (several verses after the text), this helps understand the destination of the statement else you might end up picking words like;
Judas went to hang himself…,…go and do likewise…,…whatever you need to do…,… do quickly!
Obviously this is what reading scriptures out of context does!
So back to the text (Matthew 23:9)
Previous verses
Matthew 23:2-8 KJV
[2] Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
[3] All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
[4] For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
[5] But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
[6] And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
[7] And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
[8] But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
He obviously was referring to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.
Proceeding verses;
Matthew 23:10-14 (KJV)
[10] Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
[11] But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. [
12] And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
[13] But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves , neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. [14] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Verse 9 therefore makes sense to say…Call none of these (Pharisees) your teachers or your Fathers.
The phrase "no man" actually doesn't have man in the original text, it’s called None.
It's similar to
John 10:28-29 KJV
[28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
[29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Man isn't the focus, its Anyone or no one.
That said , also in simple bible study you need more than a verse to lay a doctrinal practice
Scriptural practice is 2 or 3 witnesses
Matthew 18:16 (KJV)
[16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
In settling disputes;
1 Corinthians 14:27,29 (KJV)
[27] If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
[29] Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
In judging inspirational gifts of the Spirit;
2 Corinthians 13:1 (KJV)
[1] This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
So we should require more than a statement. Besides, we must read the entire scriptures to see all the contents in a contextual application.
If the verse was meant to mean ‘Don't call anyone your father’, then either you are being taught to live in denial or disrespect.
This however is not so, as Jesus did refer to fathers.
Let me give 2 or more evidences;
Matthew 19:19 (KJV)
[19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
He refers to Exodus 20:12, he must be regarding earthly fathers then.
Luke 11:11 (KJV)
[11] If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
He establishes a relationship of dependence and supply called Father and Son.
Luke 15:11-12 KJV
[11] And he said, A certain man had two sons:
[12] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me . And he divided unto them his living.
This parable, just like others acknowledges fathers other than God.
In fact, in a certain place He acknowledges the fatherhood rights of the devil
John 8:44 (KJV)
[44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in
him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
We can safely say, God is Father to those who have faith in Christ.
John 1:12 (KJV)
[12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 20:17 (KJV)
[17] Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Men who are responsible for the natural procreation of fellow human beings are scripturally referred to as Fathers too.
The question now lingers, is there any basis for having Spiritual Fathers or Fathers in the Lord (Christ)?
The term Father is Pater in Greek lexicon, with several shades of meaning which include
- Nourisher( one who supplies food, sustenance)
- Protector (one who guides and shields)
- Upholder ( a helper in perilous times)
- Progenitor ( oftentimes used for ancestors) for example- 1 Corinthians 10:1,Hebrews 1:1…For the ancestors of the Jews.
Jesus used the term Children also in describing a relationship not in natural terms
John 21:5 (KJV)
[5] Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
They weren't his natural offspring
Believers were referred to as children of other believers and Fathers consequently and subsequently - Peter did
1st Peter 5:13 (KJV)
[13] The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you , saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. - John did
3rd John 1:3-4 (KJV)
[3] For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
[4] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. - Paul did also
Galatians 4:19 KJV
[19] My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
This obviously was a well-defined relationship of mentorship, guidance and training .
It wasn't a title. It was a relationship borne out of teaching!
2 Timothy 2:1-2 KJV
[1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
[2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Paul was responsible for Timothy's doctrinal persuasion.
He wasn't the preacher when Timothy received Christ. He had met him already a believer
Acts 16:1-3 KJV
[1] Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: [
2] Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
[3] Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Paul acknowledged this.
2nd Timothy 1:5 (KJV)
[5] When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
2nd Timothy 3:15 (KJV)
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Yet He was Paul's son by doctrinal persuasion. Also he (Timothy) was His son by training
Philippians 2:19-22 (KJV)
[19] But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
[20] For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
[21] For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
[22] But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
A Spiritual Father is a trainer. One who builds ministry into you. Fathers in the Faith are instructors in Doctrine.
They are trainers by example.
1st Corinthians 4:15 (KJV)
[15] For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
A father also is someone who invests trust in you. Especially the fact that He will acknowledge you, endorse you and approve you.
Same way God did for Jesus!
Matthew 3:17 (KJV)
[17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And does for us believers
1st John 3:1 (KJV)
[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
This Paul did for Timothy.
Fathers are givers not takers. Just like our Heavenly Father whom all Fathers must mirror.
2nd Corinthians 12:14 (KJV)
[14] Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
They aren't to turn this God given privilege to an "anointed" ATM!
1st Peter 5:2 (KJV)
[2] Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof , not by
constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
They mustn't be seen as lords! But Fathers! Not for filthy lucre or for Money!
Rather for Oversight, care, and exemplary conduct.
Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)
[4] And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Fathers are nurturers and not torturers!
It's also very biblical to give financially to anyone responsible for our spiritual upbringing
Galatians 6:6 KJV
[6] Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Those who teach us the Word, and not prophesy money out of your account
1st Timothy 5:17-18 (KJV)
[17] Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. [
18] For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Laborers in teaching not one who frequently hires others to do his job or one who rather than stay with the flock to feed and shepherd them junkets around the globe.
1st Corinthians 9:11, 14 (KJV)
[11] If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
[14] Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Spiritual things refer to the ministry of the Word.
However, Fathers don't make demands; - You must give me such and such amount to bless you.
- You must put me in 5 star hotels etc.
-Send money to me monthly, can you pay my bills?
That's no Father.
Such men are your sons not and fathers. Since they are the demanding ones!
Watch such Debt encouraging relationships. A true Father will remain true.
Helper, Supplier, Succorer, and Teacher!
It's apt to note as earlier said, this term only describes relationships on going.
You don't look for a Spiritual Father. You only discover who it's been all along!
Many have been blackmailed into manipulative associations.
Who is your spiritual father? If u say am not sure, You are independent minded, un submissive...
None sense!
The basis is for a believer to be accountable to other believers, and this is Primary in a
Local assembly.
Ephesians 5:21 (KJV)
[21] Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Paul submitted to other believers (ministers) even though they didn't teach similar things.
Galatians 2:2 (KJV)
[2] And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
That's basic.
Have a local church. Have a pastor, Ministers with whom you relate with and are accountable to.
If along The way you discover who your Spiritual Father is, blessed are You.
If You don't, Your Father, The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father of Lights ( as we are His lights), remaineth still!
Jesus is Lord, We Win!
