In previous articles on authority we have had a few thoughts concerning expedients. The word expedient is found 7 times in the New Testament. Caiaphas, the high priest, told those of the council that it was expedient that one die for the nation. He said this concerning our Savior's death Jn. 11:50-51 and Jn. 18:14. Jesus said it was expedient for him to go that the Holy Spirit might come to the apostles Jn 16:7. The apostle used the word four times when writing the Corinthians. He said "all things are lawful unto me but all things are not expedient" lCor.6:12 and lCor. 10:23. When he wrote the Corinthians the second time he used the word again 2Cor. 8:10 and 2Cor. 12:l.

The Greek word translated expedient is the word (soom-fer'-o) and is defined in the Greek N.T. as to be better for, to bring together, to profit withal, to be profitable. This word is not only translated expedient as in the afore mentioned 7 passages but is translated differently in other passages such as "profitable" in Matt. 5:29 and Acts 20:20. Webster's dictionary defines expedient as "useful for effecting a desired result, suited to the circumstances".

With these thoughts before us let me say that I fear most of my brethren do not at all understand expedients or expediency. Most seem to think that all things are expedient if the means accomplish their desired end. This is a false idea. The apostle qualifies that which can be expedient in the religion of Christ. He writes "all things are lawful for me but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me but all things edify not" lCor. 10:23. This passage plainly teaches that in order for anything to be expedient it must first be lawful (authorized). A thing may be authorized and still not be expedient for an expedient must also edify.

Some self-willed persons who call themselves brethren "ramrod" their unauthorized programs and ways over other God fearing brethren by saying such things are expedient (ie their idea that the end justifies the means). These things must not violate a specific or generic that is authorized by a command, approved example or necessary inference from the word of God. Even if these things are authorized but cause division or strife among faithful people they simply cannot be done under the realm of expediency. And (by the way, not self-willed is a quality of elders Titus 1:6). All faithful people must love one another (a command of the Savior Jn 13:34) and "let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" Phil. 2:3. These commands of concern for other faithful people are no less important than any other of the commands of the N.T. and they are the things that qualify authorized expedients. The ego's of self-willed persons do not authorize anything in the kingdom of God.