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I, Tertius, who wrote this<\/em> <\/span>epistle, greet you in the Lord.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n God wants people to serve without excuses.<\/p>\n The name Tertius <\/span>is a Latin name meaning \u201cthird.\u201d It was common among the Roman aristocracy to name children Primus (first), Secundus (second), Tertius (third), Quartus (fourth), Quintus (fifth), etc.<\/p>\n The word \u201cwrote<\/span>\u201d is from the verb graph\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which literally means \u201cto engrave.\u201d The earliest form of writing was to carve or engrave symbols in stone or to create figures in soft clay. Eventually, graph\u014d <\/em><\/span>came to refer to any kind of writing.<\/p>\n \u201cEpistle<\/span>\u201d is transliterated from the Greek word epistol\u0113<\/em><\/span>. It refers to a form of written communication, what we today would call a letter (the equivalent of a text message or an e-mail).<\/p>\n The first thing one is likely to think when they read this verse is, \u201cHey, I thought that the Apostle Paul wrote this letter!\u201d In fact, Paul is the human author, but Tertius is the one who took pen in hand and wrote out the words for the Apostle.<\/p>\n The next obvious question is, \u201cWhy didn\u2019t Paul write it, didn\u2019t he know how to write?\u201d Yes, Paul most certainly did know how to write. However, from his letter to the Galatian churches we find out that he had a physical infirmity, probably a problem with his eyes:<\/p>\n You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even<\/em> <\/span>as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed<\/span>?<\/em> For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. <\/span>(Galatians 4:13-15<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n And later in the same letter he told them:<\/p>\n See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! <\/span>(Galatians 6:11<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n It seems that because of his eye problem, Paul had to write with very large letters. Not only would it have required much more writing material, which was bulky and expensive, but it would have been very difficult for Paul to have written a letter as large as the one to the Romans. Therefore, he had what is called an amanuensis, or a penman, do the actual writing for him. It is most likely that Paul dictated the letter and Tertius wrote it down for him.<\/p>\n So, who is Tertius? Some scholars believe that he is Silas, because Silas (a Greek name) means \u201cthird\u201d just as the Latin name Tertius. And, we learn from Acts chapter fifteen that Paul and Barnabas split-up as a missionary team after their first trip. As a result, Barnabas took Mark and headed one direction while Paul selected Silas and headed another. Therefore, it is possible that Silas is, in fact, Tertius, the penman of this letter.<\/p>\n The Apostle Paul may have had a serious eye problem, but it did not deter him from serving God with all his heart. Oh that the church today was filled with people like Paul who would give their all to serve God without making excuses. Are you giving God your all, or do you have excuses?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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