common sense tells us that when Paul commands Timothy to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ,” that is a command that I should seek to obey whenever I face hardship like Timothy. It transfers to me in principle. But when Paul commands Timothy, “Come before winter, bring my cloak, and especially the parchments,” we know that is a local, particular command, meant for Timothy only. The idea that all the imperative statements in the Bible should be taken literally, as if they all apply to me, is a nonsensical way of handling Scripture.
Christopher Wright
Website: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/july-august/learning-to-love-leviticus.html?start=2