The Biblical Use of Emotional Appeals

Ephesians 4:1 KJV

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Paul had said in Ephesians 3:1 that he was a prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ "for you Gentiles".  Here he uses that as a motivation for both his plea and their doing of it.[1]

Appeals based on emotional and heart rending circumstances are often criticized in modern Christianity. It is, however, undeniable that:

·       They can be effective

·       They were used effectively by Christ and Apostle Paul

·       Therefore they may be used in a Scriptural, effective and ethical manner

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[1] The argument can be made that the "therefore" of this refers the reader to the great doctrinal truths of Ephesians chapter three. I do not deny this to be the case but only add to it that Paul's mention of being a prisoner at the beginning of chapters three and four must have "hit home" in the hearts of these first century believers to whom Paul originally addressed this letter. Therefore his being a prisoner must have relevance in his "therefore".