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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadGreater Men and Women of the Bible by James Hastings: 677. The Salutation of Tertius
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The Salutation of Tertius
Tertius writing “in the Lord” aids an Apostle to get his thoughts circulated throughout the world. The dependence of the great upon the small, how common that is and how impressive! The artist asks the guidance of a rustic; poets, philosophers, statesmen are indebted to lowly craftsmen for the publication of their fancies, speculations, and plans. The great admiral is rowed by a common sailor to the ship which is to lead the fleet to victory. The soul of Paul utilizes the skill Tertius acquired in his pre-Christian days-a fact reminding us that the employment of common powers is almost or quite as necessary as the exercise of distinguished ability.3 [Note: W. J. Henderson.]
1. We can discern in Tertius' words a little touch of what we may call pride in his work. No doubt he knew it to be subordinate, but he also knew it to be needful; and no doubt he had put all his strength into doing it well. No man will put his best into any task which he does not undertake in such a spirit. It is a very plain piece of homely wisdom that “what is worth doing at all is worth doing well.” Without a lavish expenditure of the utmost care and effort, our work will tend to be slovenly and unpleasing to God, and to man, and to ourselves. We may be sure there were no blots and bits of careless writing in Tertius' manuscript, and that he would not have claimed the friendly feelings of his Roman brethren, if he had not felt that he had put his best into the writing of this Epistle. The great word of King David has a very wide application. “I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.”
For me-to have made one soul
The better for my birth:
To have added but one flower
To the garden of the earth:
To have struck one blow for truth
In the daily fight with lies:
To have done one deed of right
In the face of calumnies:
To have sown in the souls of men
One thought that will not die-
To have been a link in the chain of life:
Shall be immortality.1 [Note: E. Hatch.]
J. D. Brash came to Manchester. His mother came to live with him, and while attending the church in which he was minister, gave her heart to God. Her son asked her to attend his society class, but her Scotch reserve made her insist upon a promise being given by him that he would never call upon her to speak. To this he assented, but said that he would tell the story of her conversion. At the first class-meeting he began to tell the story, but he had not travelled far before his mother very excitedly said, “You are not telling it right, Jack,” and forthwith speedily poured forth the story of her new-found love. He often told this to prove that when the most timid soul is aglow with love, there is something which makes it claim a share in the spiritual conversation of the class-meeting.2 [Note: Love and Life: The Story of J. Denholm Brash, 42.]
2. Is Tertius to be censured as intrusive for making mention of himself? The appearance of the personal element is valuable, and sometimes it may even be conspicuous without offence to humility. As a witness it is never impertinent. It is proper for Tertius the scribe to show himself, for he is an instance in point, and has something to say which is important to a right decision. He has a right to lift his head and say, “Amen!”
Sir Joshua Reynolds painted a picture of the famous Sarah Siddons in the character of the Tragic Muse. The portrait was a great success, and pleased both the artist and the public. The soul of the theme was so embodied on the canvas, and the poetry so incarnated in pose and expression, that many persons were strongly affected in contemplating it. The great artist assured the gifted Mrs. Siddons that the colours would remain unfaded as long as the canvas would hold together, and gracefully and gallantly added, “And to confirm my opinion, here is my name; for I have resolved to go down to posterity on the hem of your garment.” Accordingly, his name appears on the border of the drapery. So Tertius comes down to us from the past, and will go on to the future, so long as the Bible is loved and honoured among men, on the margin of Paul's letter to the Rom_1:1-32 [Note: L. A. Banks, The Great Saints of the Bible, 317.]
3. Here, as we seem to discern the scene, there is indeed a pause, and what might look like an end. Tertius lays down the pen. The circle of friends breaks up, and St. Paul is left alone-alone with his unseen Lord, and with that long, silent letter; his own, yet not his own.
Yes, without cheer of sister or of daughter,
Yes, without stay of father or of son,
Lone on the land and homeless on the water
Pass I in patience till the work be done.
Yet not in solitude if Christ anear me
Waketh Him workers for the great employ
Oh not in solitude, if souls that hear me
Catch from my joyaunce the surprise of joy.
Hearts I have won of sister or of brother
Quick on the earth or hidden in the sod,
Lo every heart awaiteth me, another
Friend in the blameless family of God.2 [Note: F. W. H. Myers, Saint Paul.]