Self-Perpetuating Command

One of the things that is interesting about the great commission, Matthew 28:18 – 20 (here @ BibleGateway), is that it is self-perpetuating.  As you probably know, the only imperative in the sentence, 19 – 20 (here @ BibleGateway), is the verb make disciples.  The rest of the verbal forms, go, baptize, and teach are participles which derive their force or mood from the main verb.  So, each of those inherit the imperative.

There are some other interesting things about those participles but those are beyond the scope of this post.

What is meant by self-perpetuating is the force of the last participle, teach.  What are the 11 to teach?  “To observe all that I commanded you...” this would include 19 – 20.  So the 11 are to lead people to Christ and teach them all that He commanded them, which would include them doing the same as the 11.

Paul figured that out.  In 2 Timothy 2:2 (here @ BibleGateway) we see echoes of the Great Commission.  But Paul also figured out it was an ongoing charge.  Look at the following passages: 

• 2 Timothy 2:10 (here @ BibleGateway)
• 1 Corinthians 9:23 (here @ BibleGateway)
• 2 Corinthians 11:28 – 29 (here @ BibleGateway)

Paul after his road trip, focused on sharing the gospel.  The three verses above seem to describe his singular focus.  Would it be reasonable to suggest that if we are believers, if we are disciples, apprentices of Christ, that like Paul we should have a similar focus?  After all isn’t that the idea behind teaching inheriting the imperative from make disciples.