Look Who's Watching

"For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men." (I Cor. 4: 9 nkjv)

"Spectacle" is from the Greek word "theatron" and is used three times in the Greek New Testament. (Acts 19:29; 19:31; 1 Corinthians 4:9) It is translated "theater" twice and "spectacle" once. It means basically what our English words theater and spectacle mean today. It denotes "a place in which games and dramatic spectacles are exhibited, and public assemblies held" or "a public show," and "metaphorically a man who is exhibited to be gazed at and made sport of." (Strong)

 

Of course, being the object of gaze in a coliseum or theater, or a show or spectacle, implies not only the thing being watched, but the audience doing the gazing. 

Christianity has often been made a "spectacle" throughout the past two thousand years. 

All that being true, who is watching us as Christians? If we are the spectacle, who are the spectators? Paul mentions three of them; 1) "the world" 2) "angels" 3) "men" (Greek "anthropos" meaning human being). 

Of course, though God is not mentioned, he is not excluded. He too is watching Christians, and not them only, but has his eye on all. Notice these texts on God's watching over and observing his people.

Lord God Is Watching

"For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths." (Prov.5: 21)

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, And his ears are open unto their prayers: But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." (I Peter 3: 12)

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it." (Psa. 139: 1-6 ESV)

Angels Are Watching

"Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" (Heb. 1: 14 ESV)

"It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look." (I Peter 1: 12 ESV)

When Paul says that the apostles were a spectacle "to angels," does he mean both holy angels and unholy angels? To fallen angels? To the demons? 

The above two verses speak of that special "watching" of believers (born again people) that the holy angels of heaven do as their job. But, it is not something that they are unexcited about doing, but rather are eager to do. They are interested in anything dealing with the gospel and with redemption, or with Christ the Son of God, and this would include observing Christians and the church. That fact is also evident in these words of Paul to the Corinthian Christians:

"For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels." (I Cor. 11: 10 kjv) 

"For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority." (NLT)

There are texts also that reveal that even the demons and fallen angels, including Satan their leader, are familiar with the saints. Let us notice those texts.

"But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” (Acts 19: 15)

"Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:23-24 NLT)

The World Is Watching

"But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle ('gazingstock' kjv) both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated." (Heb. 10:32-33 nkjv) 

The Greek word translated "spectacle" or "gazingstock" is "theatrizō." It means "to bring upon the stage," or "to set forth as a spectacle," to "expose to contempt."  

People are concerned today because we are always being watched or surveilled, since cameras are everywhere, and people have cameras built in to their phones. The idea of being constantly spied, especially by some agency of government, can be alarming. It can also be alarming to know that our enemies are watching over us for evil purposes. Some even think aliens from other worlds are watching us. 

So, what about being watched by God? By angels? By society or the world? How should we react to being watched? Should it not make us more "circumspect"? (See Eph. 5: 15) Should it not make us more careful how we behave?