Throughout God’s Holy Word, the word “beseech” is used many times. In fact, there are some 64 occurrences of this word in the KJV Bible. The word is sometimes translated from a compound verb that means to “call to one’s side.” It carries with it the idea of an admonition or a serious entreating. It is as if the writer is coming to another’s side to plead and beg for a response. The apostle Paul used this phrase many times throughout his inspired letters. He loved his brethren (2 Corinthians 2:4), and Paul wanted them to heed God’s admonitions to grow and become stronger in their spiritual walk. Let’s consider three of those occasions.
Firstly, Paul beseeched the brethren to serve. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Although people can do a multitude of things with their lives, everything pales in comparison to serving the living God. Paul would also remind the brethren at Corinth that even their very bodies belonged to God and should be used in service to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19-21). He later exhorted the same brethren to “be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” Still today, Paul, through the inspired text, continues to beseech men to be busy serving.
Secondly, Paul beseeched the brethren to segregate. When we think of Christianity, we often think of unity. While among faithful brethren that is certainly true, there are some about whom the Bible admonishes us not to be in unison with them. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). The word “mark” literally means to “fix your eyes upon.” Just like a farmer keeps his eye on an ornery bull, their eyes were to be fixed upon false teachers. Paul knew that false teachers were deceptive and crafty in leading men astray (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). Simply because a man claims to be a brother in Christ, such may not be true (1 John 4:1). Paul, through the inspired text, continues to beseech the faithful to segregate themselves from false teachers!
Thirdly, Paul beseeched the brethren to supplicate. The idea of supplication means to plead earnestly. “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; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed” (Romans 15:30-32). Paul understood the power that can be unleashed by faithful brethren praying diligently. God is “…able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20). Paul pleads with us today to supplicate to the Father above.
Paul was never ashamed to plead with Christians to do the right thing. He realized that eternity weighed in the balances. So it is with Christians today. Paul is still beseeching; are we listening?
