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"So What?" to the "Somewhat"
Galatians 2:6
"But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they
were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who
seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: (Galatians 2:6
KJV)
BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, THE apostle Paul teaches us how to handle those people and
things which by the world's standards seem so impressive. In Galatians Paul
recounts two trips he made to Jerusalem following his conversion; the first
trip, three years following his conversion (1:18), and the second fourteen years
later (2:1). No doubt he had heard great things about Peter, James and John,
apostles of the Lord and pillars in the Jerusalem church (2:9). They were great
men of faith and Paul refers to them as "apostles before me" (1:17) "them which
were of reputation" (2:2), and "those who seemed to be somewhat" (2:6). Paul,
however, was not unduly taken with the reputation of these apostles as others
apparently had been. For, he says with reference to his conversion ". . .
immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem
to them which were apostles before me." (1:16-17). When he finally went up to
Jerusalem three years later he only visited with two of the apostles, Peter and
James (1:18-19). Also, in describing his visit fourteen years later he points
out that those who were "somewhat" (i.e. had the reputation of being important)
did not matter to him, were not accepted by God on the basis of their "person"
(i.e. who they were, having been of the original twelve and personal companions
of Jesus) and furthermore they had added nothing to his ability, authority or
success as an apostle (2:6-8). And finally, Paul had actually confronted and
opposed the apostle Peter for wrong doing ( 2:11ff). In effect, Paul had
declared "So What?" to those who were "somewhat."
"So what?" The phrase sounds like the wisecrack response of a disgruntled person
trying to justify some unworthy desire or request, but actually the expression
"So what?" can be turned around and used as a powerful verbal bullet when fired
off with authority in the appropriate situation. The words compose a serious
question that we ought to be asking with some regularity. As adults we don't
sound out the question "So what?" as often as we should, partly because the
phrase is associated with the quarrels heard between children. However, children
and teens should not be allowed exclusive rights to such a profound concept as
that expressed by "So what?".
Why is "So what?" so significant? Why should it be given a more prominent place
in our daily conversation? Because, if used in the right context and with the
right attitude it can shed the light of truth and reality on many of the false
assumptions of our society. Much of what people are so wrapped up in today, the
shallowness, materialism and selfishness of modern living deserves a big "SO
WHAT?"
When junior, for example, comes home and says, "All the guys are wearing big,
baggy blue jeans, why can't I . . ." (You know, the type that hang down around
the knees and can only held up by suspenders attached to the trailing edge of
their T-shirts.) In response, mom and dad should come back with, "So what?" Or,
when sis says, "But all my girl friends' folks are giving them fifty bucks to go
the Brittany Spears concert", mom and dad should answer, "So what?" Not in an
effort to end the conversation, but for the purpose of beginning the process of
thinking about the moral values and standards (or the lack thereof) behind the
activity in question.
Some of the habits (many of which are encouraged by friends as well as TV) of
young people, and adults alike, are void of any redeeming value. Even though the
world may think certain attitudes and activities are important (i.e. somewhat),
on closer examination, we find that there may be nothing solid behind them in
terms of the healthy moral and spiritual development of the child or adult. And
for this reason they deserve a big "SO WHAT?" Habits and attitudes that we are
developing and activities that we are asked to engage in should all pass through
the crucible of "So what?" So what's the value, so what's the purpose, so what's
the authority behind it, so what's the good it's going to do me, so what's the
end result?
This is not to say that every activity that is engaged in for the purpose of
recreation and pleasure should be avoided. It is not a sin to have fun or goof
off once in a while, or do things that bring pleasure, but it is wrong to sin in
the process. So when contemplating the value of a particular activity which to
the world is esteemed to be "somewhat" ask yourself "So what?" as a method of
examining whether the activity is worth your time as a Christian.
By Edward C. Barnes
From Expository Files 11.10; October 2004
