Fun article! Great to hear about the gospel being shared. Just an exegetical note: the "go" in Mt. 28:19 is not a command. Interestingly, it has very little grammatical force. It's a participle expressing attendant circumstances. Which means you could translate it: "While going." There isn't really a "go" in the Great Commission. The command is "make disciples." Why is this interesting and helpful? Because it means the making of disciples occurs as people are going about their daily lives. Yes, some have the vocation of missionary as their daily life, going to far off lands or groups (like St. Paul). But the "going" of others is making disciples of their children by having their babies baptized and catechized and demonstrating obedience to the way of Christ. Or, like you point out, sharing the gospel with a coworker or someone on the court. Getting the "going" right helps us understand how we can all obey the "make disciples" part in our respective contexts and vocations. Good stuff.
Great point. I agree that the main imperative is “make disciples.” I think where we have to be careful is not swinging too far the other direction and acting like Jesus is removing the expectation of going. The participle assumes movement. For most believers that movement is into ordinary life, workplaces, neighborhoods, and relationships. For others it’s across cultures and nations. Either way, the emphasis lands where you put it: make disciples wherever Christ sends you.
Right. And I should clarify: there isn't a *grammatical* command to "go." This is still an important point; it's common for people to make too much of the word "go" in this verse. For example, Jesus uses this exact same Greek construction when he tells the Pharisees in Mt. 9:13: "Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and no sacrifice.'" (Cf. Mt. 11:4) It would mean virtually the same thing if the word "go" were omitted here as in Mt. 28:19. Nonetheless, there is an obvious, common-sense "go" implied in the actual command to make disciples. After all, the nations who are to be made into disciples aren't all gathered right there waiting by the Galilee.
"Vague intentions" is absolutely true. It reminds me of Dallas Willard's VIM model. Another excellent article on modern discipelship practices. Thank you!
Fun article! Great to hear about the gospel being shared. Just an exegetical note: the "go" in Mt. 28:19 is not a command. Interestingly, it has very little grammatical force. It's a participle expressing attendant circumstances. Which means you could translate it: "While going." There isn't really a "go" in the Great Commission. The command is "make disciples." Why is this interesting and helpful? Because it means the making of disciples occurs as people are going about their daily lives. Yes, some have the vocation of missionary as their daily life, going to far off lands or groups (like St. Paul). But the "going" of others is making disciples of their children by having their babies baptized and catechized and demonstrating obedience to the way of Christ. Or, like you point out, sharing the gospel with a coworker or someone on the court. Getting the "going" right helps us understand how we can all obey the "make disciples" part in our respective contexts and vocations. Good stuff.
Great point. I agree that the main imperative is “make disciples.” I think where we have to be careful is not swinging too far the other direction and acting like Jesus is removing the expectation of going. The participle assumes movement. For most believers that movement is into ordinary life, workplaces, neighborhoods, and relationships. For others it’s across cultures and nations. Either way, the emphasis lands where you put it: make disciples wherever Christ sends you.
Right. And I should clarify: there isn't a *grammatical* command to "go." This is still an important point; it's common for people to make too much of the word "go" in this verse. For example, Jesus uses this exact same Greek construction when he tells the Pharisees in Mt. 9:13: "Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and no sacrifice.'" (Cf. Mt. 11:4) It would mean virtually the same thing if the word "go" were omitted here as in Mt. 28:19. Nonetheless, there is an obvious, common-sense "go" implied in the actual command to make disciples. After all, the nations who are to be made into disciples aren't all gathered right there waiting by the Galilee.
Yep. That’s a helpful clarification. The command is “make disciples.” The mission still requires going wherever Christ sends us.
"Vague intentions" is absolutely true. It reminds me of Dallas Willard's VIM model. Another excellent article on modern discipelship practices. Thank you!
Indeed! And it’s the means and vision that get us into real practice of church
Muchas gracias this was very very helpful .
Ricardo, we have some upcoming training labs that dive deeper. Come join us at https://www.covomultipliers.com/#upcoming-labs
Thanks Ricardo, glad it gave you some handholds.