Page 19 - True Gospel Evangelism

Proper vs Improper
Motive for Evangelism

In contrast to the above, Paul taught a different motive for preaching the gospel and

gospel evangelism. Paul stated in 2 Tim. 2:10 “Therefore I endure all things for the
elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with
eternal glory.” This one verse of scripture makes several vital points about gospel
evangelism and the motive for gospel evangelism:

1. Paul endured a lot for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ as he stated in

2 Cor. 11:23 “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. 24
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 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; 26 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; 27 In weariness and
painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and na-
kedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily,

the care of all the churches.”

Paul said that he endured all things for the elect’s sake. He did not endure one thing
for the non-elect’s sake. All that Paul endured; he endured for those who were chosen
in Christ before the foundation of the world (the elect).

The following scriptures show us that Paul wanted to be delivered from the non-elect:
Rom. 15:30 “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for

the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my ser-
vice which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;”

2. The word, “also,” teaches us that there is more than one type of salvation taught

in the scriptures. “Also,” means “in addition to.” Thus, Paul wanted the elect to
obtain a salvation in addition to or “with” a salvation they already had. The salvation
which they already had was eternal glory. Eternal glory is sure to all the elect. How-

ever, the salvation in which Paul endured all things was conditioned upon the preach-
ing of the gospel and the elect believing the gospel.