Superiors, Inferiors, and Equals
Thinking Some More About Biblical Categories
Howdy!
We’re going to go directly to the Q/A’s this week as we continue to look at the first statute of the second table of the law. While it may seem arbitrary to divide the first four from the last six it is a Biblical idea. (Deut. 4:13). To think more clearly about what this is meant to teach us the Puritan Thomas Watson shows us how to approach these rules with a spiritual mindset:
The first table respects God and is the top of the ladder that reaches to heaven; the second respects superiors and inferiors, and is the foot of the ladder that rests on the earth. By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by the second, we walk religiously towards man. He cannot be good in the first table that is bad in the second.
We are not to act as if one portion of the law is more important than another. Each part is meant to build upon the one before and assist the following of all of the commandments. We are called by Christ to love all of His commandments.
As with the First, Second, and Third commandments the Fifth is divided into four parts. This morning we are on the “back half” describing what is not allowed and what may need some more explanation. Here are the catechism questions:
Q. 65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment forbids the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honors and duty which belongs to every one in their several places and relations.
Q. 66. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment.
James Fisher was one of our forefathers in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. A blessing that he has bequeathed to us is a very helpful commentary on the Shorter Catechism. In his exposition of the fifth commandment there is a series of Q/A’s that I want to bring forward to help us better understand what we are talking about when it comes to Superiors, Inferiors, and Equals. As noted last week we live in an egalitarian age. People are wired by society to scoff at any idea of a stratified society, for some good reasons to be sure. The way class-consciousness has been used in the past by secular forces has led to chattel slavery, hard castes, and other sinful activities. However, the abuse of a good and biblical principle is never a reason to abandon the wisdom and will of God. The opposite is true. Christians should model for the world why those marked divisions are a blessing to the interactions between men and women, parents and children, and the King and his subjects and if heeded will lead to human flourishing in a moral way.
Now let’s turn to Fisher’s take on how to explain them:
Q. 3. "What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?"
A. "Envying at, contempt of, and rebellion against their persons and places, in their lawful counsels, commands, and corrections.”
Q. 4. "What are the sins of superiors?"
A. "Commanding things unlawful, or not in the power of inferiors to perform; counselling, encouraging, or favoring them in that which is evil;" and dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is good.”
Q. 5. "What are the sins of equals?"
A. "Envying the gifts, grieving at the advancement of prosperity one of another, and usurping the pre-eminence one over another."
As you look at what he says here about the types of transgressions of the 5th Commandment there is a common thread that flows through each of them. It all comes down to selfishness. No one is more superior than Jesus Christ, but how did He use the Triune Godhead in His humanity? He came to serve, not to be served. Likewise think of Mary Magdalene. She did not see herself as less because she was a former harlot, or a woman, but understood again that her unique and blessed gift found in the salvation granted to her by grace was not primarily for herself, but for others. Humbly resting in who we are in the community of faith smacks so hard against our arrogantly individualistic culture.
Regardless of which category we fall into the first issue at hand is what do we do with the place the Lord has granted to us in His purpose. If we are a Superior are we encouraging biblical fidelity among those in our purview? If not we are sinning against them. John Flavel in his commentary explicitly warns ministers of the gospel that they are to be feeding their sheep with the wholesome food of Christ, to be “full of bowels of tender affection to them”, and to walk with them in holiness and truth. Those principles can be expanded both to parents and to even the civil magistrate. Isaiah 49:23 says that the political leaders of a nation are to be a foster father and a nursing mother for the Church. It doesn’t mean the president is supposed to lead worship services or something, but in his station he should lead the government to protect and support the right preaching of the good news of Christ. He also should model for the citizens in his realm what it means to submit to Christ.
Same with fathers in the home. They are not the “ministers” or “kings” of the family, in the sense they can disperse the sacraments or understand their residence to be a congregation, or rule as a despot. However, they are the “Superior”. Yet if the man of the house is not dissuading against sin, modeling Christian behavior in his own life, or ensuring that all are preparing for the Sabbath worship and rest then he is sinning against the inferiors under his care. While much could be said about how inferiors help superiors in their leadership by being obedient in joy to lawful commands our problem today is far more with the former than the later. Men especially need to act like men. Lead their homes well, follow Christ well, and society, the home, and the church will follow.
Here is a tad bit more on this:
https://equip.sbts.edu/article/heres-bible-calls-men-act-like-men/
Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Benjamin Glaser
Pastor, Bethany ARP Church