“…and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith“
First, Paul requests prayer for the advancement of the gospel (verse 1).
Next he requests prayer for deliverance from those who would like to undermine the gospel team.
and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men;
The word “delivered” means to be rescued from, preserved from. Paul asks for prayer for the personal protection of his gospel team while they spread the gospel.
“Unreasonable” literally means out of place but denotes unbecoming, not befitting. The idea in this passage is an outrageous belief. They were perverse, belligerent scoundrels. They diverted people away from truth into absurd false doctrine.
“Wicked” means active wickedness. These malignant people had a serious flaw. They were degenerates theologically because they tended to corrupt others.
Paul’s enemies act against the principles of reason and are responsible for absurdity and irreverence toward the gospel.
for not all have faith
The word “for” gives the reason these men were perverse: they did not have “the faith” (Greek). Not everyone embraces the gospel. It divides people into two classes – those who personally trust Christ to forgive their sins and those who do not.
Principle:
One of God’s roles is to protect those who spread the gospel.
Application:
Those interested in advancing the cause of Christ throughout the world must come to grips with the fact that they will face opposition. God is in the business of delivering us from the opponents of the gospel.
“Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints…” (Romans 15:30-31).
