Author: Will

Romans 16:3 – Secular Saints

Posted on by Will

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

Truth to Learn

Just because you work at a secular job doesn’t mean God doesn’t want to use you in building up the church.

 

Behind the Words

“Greet” is translated from aspadzomai, which is made up of a, denoting union and probably a form of spaō, meaning “to draw.” Basically, aspadzomai means “to enfold in the arms” or as we would say, “to hug.” Just as it is today, a hug was a form of greeting, especially within the body of Christ.

The name “Priscilla” literally means “little Prisca.” It is like a person today named Bill being referred to as Billy.

“Fellow workers” is from sunergos, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and a form of ergon, meaning “work or labor.” So, sunergos means “a fellow laborer.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul met Priscilla and Aquila on his first trip to Corinth (see Acts chapter eighteen). Paul’s commission from God was to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles but his occupation was that of a tent maker. In large cities in the Roman world, the various trades gathered together around the marketplace. Likewise, in the Synagogue the various trades sat together in “guilds.” Therefore, it is not unusual that Paul would have met a fellow tent-maker when he first arrived in Corinth. Because Paul and Aquila were both tent makers and both Jews who believed in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, Aquila and Priscilla apparently asked Paul to live with them when he first came to town.

And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome); and he came to them. And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for their occupation they that of tentmakers. (Acts 18:2-3)

From this passage in Acts, we also learn that Aquila and Priscilla originally lived in Rome, but they had to leave when Emperor Claudius kicked all the Jews out of Rome. At the time of the writing of this letter, Paul was again in Corinth, but by this time Aquila and Priscilla had moved back to Rome.

Paul remained in Corinth for about a year and a half, then he sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila sailed with him. On their way to Syria, however, they stopped in Ephesus where Priscilla and Aquila stayed behind.

So Paul remained a good many days. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him… And he came to Ephesus, and left them there… (Acts 18:18-19)

It is quite likely that Paul worked side-by-side with Aquila making tents, but Priscilla was likely more involved in helping Paul in his preaching ministry. That is probably why in both Romans 16:3 and 2Timothy 4:19, when Paul mentions this couple he refers to Priscilla first.

 

Application

God may have called you to work full-time in a Christian organization. Even if He didn’t, though, you can have a significant impact in building the body of Christ. If you are not serving God in a local church, you may be missing out on one of the greatest blessings God could bestow on you.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 16:2 – Help The Helper

Posted on by Will

that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever matter she may need from you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself as well.

Truth to Learn

Helping other Christians is a Christ-like thing to do.

 

Behind the Words

The word “receive” is translated from prosdechomai, which is made up of pros, meaning “unto or toward,” and dechomai, meaning “to accept or receive.” This word literally means “to receive unto oneself.”

“In a manner worthy” is translated from the adverb axiōs. This is based on the word axios (short “o”), meaning “worthy.” Thus, axiōs (long “o”) means “worthily” or “in a worthy manner.”

“Help” is from paristanō, made up of para, meaning “beside or near” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Literally, this word means “to stand with” or “to stand beside.” It is used in a courtroom setting referring to the one who presents a case or who provides a witness.

“Matter” is from pragma, which is derived from the verb prassō, meaning “to do repeatedly” or “to practice.” Pragma refers to an action or a deed that is done repeatedly or constantly.

The word translated “helper” is prostatis, which is made up of pro, meaning “toward” or “before” and histēmi, meaning “to stand” or “to set in place.” In secular Greek writing of the time, this is the word used to refer to a “patron,” one who supports or takes care of another.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that Paul is talking about a woman named Phoebe, a deaconess in the church of Cenchrea (near Corinth). It is generally believed that Phoebe is the one who delivered this letter to the church in Rome. And, it appears that she was a wealthy woman, due to the fact that Paul presents her as having been a helper (patroness) of many people, including Paul himself. Apparently, she provided financial support for Paul in his ministry. From Paul’s use of the words paristanō and pragma we might infer that Phoebe went to Rome on some legal or other business matter.

Whatever Phoebe’s reason for going to Rome, Paul instructs the church there to receive her as a fellow Christian worthy of respect. We are all aware that businesses today often use symbols of Christianity (like the sign of the fish) to attract Christians as potential customers. Usually it is legitimate, but sometimes, based on the way they do business, it appears to be a marketing ploy. Paul’s comments to the church in Rome indicate that Phoebe was a genuinely devout Christian and that they should willingly assist her in whatever matter  she has that might need their help. She has demonstrated her own unselfishness by helping many others, and now it is time for members of the body of Christ to show unselfishness toward her.

 

Application

As Christians, we are often asked to provide help for fellow Christians in need. For some of us it’s difficult to do. For others it’s easy. For all of us, its part of being Christ-like.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 16:1 – Phoebe the Deaconess

Posted on by Will

I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,

Truth to Learn

Women who serve in formal positions in a church perform an important service to God and His church.

 

Behind the Words

“Commend” is translated from the Greek verb sunistēmi, a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together with” and histēmi, meaning “to stand or to set in place.” Thus, the literal interpretation of this word is “to stand together.” When used of persons it generally means “to introduce or present to one's acquaintance for favorable notice.” Thus, it means to commend or present as worthy. This is the word which was commonly used in letters of commendation.

The word translated “sister” is adelphē. This is the feminine form of adelphos, which is made up of a, implying togetherness or unity and delphus, meaning “the womb.” Thus, adelphē means a female who has come out of the same womb. Both adelphos and adelphē are frequently used metaphorically to refer to a brother or sister in Christ.

“Servant” is from the Greek word diakonos, meaning “a minister, a servant, or a deacon.” In this verse it most likely refers to the formal position of deaconess within the church.

“Cenchrea” was a port city just nine miles east of the city of Corinth. Some believe that this was where the church of Corinth actually met, though there is some dispute on this matter.

 

Meaning Explained

Having finished his doctrinal teaching, Paul now closes the letter with a series of salutations. In doing so he demonstrates his intimate knowledge of members of the church in Rome even though he had not yet been to Rome. This is a sign of a good minister of the Gospel, knowing personal details about the people to whom and with whom he ministers.

He starts off this verse with a formal commendation of a woman named Phoebe, who was probably the messenger carrying this letter from Corinth (where Paul was when it was written) to Rome. Phoebe is referred to as a deaconess. Though this could be interpreted as simply “a minister” or “a servant,” the fact that Paul refers to her as a diakonos “of the church in Cenchrea” indicates that it probably was her formal position in the church. In the first century of the Christian church, it was not uncommon to have deaconesses whose primary responsibilities were to minister to and care for other women in the church. Elsewhere in the New Testament, references are made to a class of females whose duty it was to teach other females and to take the general superintendence of that part of the church. Also, various letters of ecclesiastical history (not included in the Bible) give evidence to this class of females within the church. The strict separation of the sexes in the early church made the services of deaconesses necessary for baptism, visiting the women, and teaching women’s study groups.

 

Application

Though there is sound Biblical evidence that the position of pastoring a church is to be strictly limited to men, that doesn’t mean that women are to be excluded from serving in formal positions. Women are needed to perform much needed duties in the church and are commended by God for doing so.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:33 – Peace With God

Posted on by Will

And the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Truth to Learn

God is the only source of true peace. You can be at peace with God.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “peace” is eirēnē, which means “peace or tranquility.” The root of this word is probably the verb eirō, which means “to join.” Hence, to be at peace with someone implies that you are joined together with them for your mutual benefit. It does not simply imply a passive act (that you leave each other alone) but an active one (that you join together with another person to produce good). So, the God of peace means that God joins together with you to produce goodness and peace.

“Amen” is transliterated from the Hebrew awmane, which properly means “firm.” It is used to express trustworthiness or sureness. In other words, it means “surely, truly, it is so.”

 

Meaning Explained

The primary object of this epistle to the Romans has been to encourage a bond of peace between the believing Jews and Gentiles in Rome, and to show them their mutual obligations and the infinite mercy of God to them all. Now he concludes with a prayer that the God of peace – He with whom we are joined together, from whom it comes, and by whom it is preserved – might be forever with them, Jewish Christian and Gentile Christian alike.

Paul told the Philippians not to worry but to pray unto God with thanksgiving and that they would, in turn, receive the peace of God that no one can fully understand. Here’s how Paul said it to them:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

In this fifteenth chapter of Romans, the Lord has been named the God of patience and consolation (verse five), the God of hope (verse thirteen), and now the God of peace. He is the source of everything good and of everything a poor sinner needs both now and eternally.

 

Application

Do you have God’s peace? Are you joined together with Him for your mutual good?

If not, have you ever truly humbled yourself before Almighty God, admitted that you are a sinner deserving the punishment of Hell, and asked God to save you by His mercy? If you have never done this, then you can’t have real peace; you are still in your sins, and you will pay the eternal penalty for them in the flaming fires of Hell. If, on the other hand, you have submitted yourself to God as an undeserving sinner claiming the blood of Jesus Christ as payment for your sins, then you can know this peace that only comes from God, and you will spend eternity in His presence.

May this peace be yours today, and may God receive the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:32 – Following With Joy

Posted on by Will

that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.

Truth to Learn

Following God’s will is not always comfortable or easy but it will produce joy in our hearts.

 

Behind the Words

“Will” is translated from thelēma, which is based on the verb thelō meaning “to will or wish.” But it implies more than just a wish or a desire, it implies purpose and determination. There is another Greek word, boulomai, which is also translated “will.” Thelō refers to a person’s determined will, whereas boulomai refers to a person’s desirous will. It is like a child being sent into a candy store with a limited amount of money. His (or her) desirous will is to have everything in the store, but the child determines (decides) to purchase what can be acquired with the money he or she has; this is the child’s determined will.

The Greek word translated “refreshed” is an interesting word. It is the Greek word sunanapausomai. This is a compound word made up of three parts. The Greek word sun means “with” or “together with.” The middle part of this word is ana, meaning “again,” and the final part of the word is from the verb pauō, meaning “to cease or to give rest.” Putting these all together we see that Paul wanted to be “refreshed again together” with the Christians in Rome.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul had another reason for wanting the Christians in Rome to pray for him, and he shares the reason in the current verse. He has already told them that he expected to go to Spain and to stop at Rome on the way. If his ministry to the Jews in Jerusalem was not successful, it would be a disappointment to him. If he could successfully deliver the gifts from the churches in Greece to the saints in Jerusalem, however, then it would be a joyous thing for Paul.

But he knew that he was bound by the will of God to go wherever God sent him. That’s why Paul said, “so that I may come to you with joy by the (determined) will of God.” If God had other plans for Paul (and we know that he did), then Paul was willing to be part of those plans. He did eventually go to Rome, but it was not in the manner that he was expecting. Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and remained imprisoned for three years before being sent to Rome to stand before Caesar.

That is not to say, however, that Paul did not go with joy. He was not surprised that he ended up in chains in Jerusalem, for that’s exactly what had been revealed to him on numerous occasions. Paul certainly would rather have gone to Rome as a free man, but following God’s will was more important to him and being God’s bondservant was all the freedom that Paul needed. Because he knew that the imprisonment was God’s doing, I’m sure that it was with joy “in the Lord” that Paul eventually got to Rome.

Even though Paul had never actually met most of the people in the Church in Rome he felt a fellowship with them through the blood of Christ. And, when he did eventually get to Rome the saints there not only welcomed him with open arms but they provided for his needs while he was in prison there.

 

Application

Let’s all determine to make following God’s will the full focus or our lives. If that means pain or sorrow, we can still have joy in our hearts knowing that we are serving the King of Kings.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:31 – Fearful or Following?

Posted on by Will

that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my ministry for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

Truth to Learn

Following God is more important than personal safety.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “delivered” is rhuomai, meaning “to snatch from danger, to rescue, or to deliver.”

“Acceptable” is from the Greek word euprosdechomai, a double compound word made up of eu, meaning “good or well,” pros, meaning “unto or toward,” and dechomai, meaning “to accept or receive.” Thus, it means “well received.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul urgently requested the Christians in Rome to join him in fervent, heartfelt prayer, striving against the forces of Paul’s opposition. If you or I were asking for prayer in this situation, we most certainly would ask for deliverance from the persecution that was surely coming. The Apostle Paul also wanted to be delivered from trouble, because he was concerned that the disbelieving Jews in Judea might try to do him harm. Clearly, Paul had good reason to believe this. Throughout his journeys to spread the gospel he was repeatedly accosted, thrown in jail, and even stoned. On his third missionary journey, about the time that he was writing this letter, Paul was planning to return to Judea by way of Syria but someone discovered a plot among the Jews:

Now passing through that region and having encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. (Acts 20:2-3)

As he continued on this journey to Jerusalem, Paul stopped and invited the leaders of the church in Ephesus to come and meet with him. He shared with them the many trials that he had endured for the sake of the Gospel and told them that he had received repeated indications from the Spirit of God that chains and tribulations awaited him in Jerusalem.

And see, now I go bound by the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. (Acts 20: 22, 23)

He knew that something bad was going to happen to him in Jerusalem and yet he felt bound by the Spirit of God to go there anyway. And, although Paul wanted to be delivered from personal harm, that was not his primary concern. He wanted to deliver the gift to the converted Jewish saints in Jerusalem and he wanted that gift to be well received. He knew that trouble from the Jewish unbelievers might take away from the joy and gratitude of those receiving the gift he was bringing.

Once again, we see that Paul’s focus was on his ministry, not on his personal situation. He was so intent on delivering the gift to those in need that he gave little thought for what might happen to him in Jerusalem

 

Application

Paul was more interested in serving God than in saving his own skin. If we are focused on serving God when and where He calls us, personal concerns take a back seat. I wonder – if you knew that following God’s calling for your life would mean personal harm, would you still do it? Think about that!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:30 – Pray for Me!

Posted on by Will

But I urge you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you fight together with me in prayers to God for me,

Truth to Learn

Christians should ask for prayer help when they need it.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “I urge you” is parakalō. It is made up of para, meaning “to the side of” and a form of the verb kaleō meaning “to call.” So parakalō literally means, “to call someone alongside.” This word is sometimes translated as “exhort,” “urge,” or “encourage.” In John 14:26, the Holy Spirit is referred to as our paraklētos (comforter or helper). In the current verse, however, I think that the literal meaning makes a lot of sense.

“Fight together,” is translated from the Greek word sunagōnidzomai. This is another compound word made up of sun, meaning “together” and agōnidzomai (from which we get our English word agonize), meaning “to strive, struggle, or contend for victory.” It generally refers to fighting or wrestling, but figuratively it is the task of faith in persevering amid temptation and opposition.

Meaning Explained

Paul knows that he is soon to be on his way to Judea to deliver the gift from the Greek Churches to the poor saints in the church in Jerusalem. He knows that the journey and the time of visitation in Jerusalem will be dangerous. Just how dangerous he may not have known, but on his way there, having stopped at Caesarea, he received a message from a prophet named Agabus. Here’s what he was told:

and he having come unto us, and having taken Paul’s belt, he bound his hands and feet, saying, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, The man whose belt this is–so will the Jews in Jerusalem bind, and they will deliver him up to the hands of Gentiles.” (Acts 21:11)

I’m sure that Paul believed the prophetic message, but he was not deterred in making this trip because he believed that God was leading him there. However, knowing that there was potential danger, he asked the Christians in Rome to pray with him. He starts out this current verse with, “Now I call you alongside, brothers.” Paul was asking the Christians in Rome to spiritually come alongside him and join him in prayer.

But he was not just asking them to offer up a couple of sentence prayers for him. He asked them if they would, “fight together with me in prayers.” So we see that Paul was asking the Christians in Rome to join him in fervent, heartfelt prayer, fighting against the forces of Paul’s opposition.

We will see in the next verse that Paul understood what he would be up against in Jerusalem and wanted all the prayer support he could get. The thing that amazes me is the fact that the great Apostle Paul, who repeatedly demonstrated the power of God and the goodness of the gospel of Christ, wasn’t afraid to ask for prayer support.

Application

Is that what you do when you are in the midst of spiritual battles? Do you ask your Christian friends and members of your church to pray with you and for you? Or are you afraid to ask? Paul wasn’t!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:29 – Blessing Crammed Full

Posted on by Will

But I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Truth to Learn

We serve Christ with His full blessing.

 

Behind the Words

“I know” is translated from the Greek verb eidō. This particular verb has two meanings depending on the form used. One means “to see or perceive” and the other means “to know.” The form that Paul used here means “to know.” It is in the perfect tense implying past completed action with a continuing result, but with the emphasis on the result. So the best translation of this is probably, “I know” (because I have known for some time).

“Fullness” is from plērōma, derived from the verb plēroō, meaning “to fill completely” or “to cram full until there is no room to add anything more.” Thus, plērōma refers to the complete fullness (nothing left out).

“Blessing” is translated from eulogia, which is a compound word made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of logos, meaning “word.” Thus eulogia (from which we get our English word eulogy) refers to “the good words of a commendation or blessing.”

 

Meaning Explained

It’s interesting to note that Paul had no doubt that he would be going to Spain and stopping by Rome on the way. He starts off this verse with, “But I know that when I come to you.” You will notice that Paul said, “when I come to you,” not “if I come to you.” He was sure that God was leading him to visit Rome. And, when going to Rome, Paul “knew” that he would come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

Some translations include the phrase “of the Gospel” toward the end of this verse However, these words are missing in most of the major manuscripts. As a result, many textual scholars leave this out in the translation. Here Paul is saying that he will come in the fullness of the blessing, not of the gospel of Christ, but of Christ Himself. There is a blessing that we get from the gospel, particularly because we believe it, and also as we share it. But there is a greater blessing that we get from Christ as our Master, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Advocate before the Father, our Lord, and as our future husband. He is “a friend that sticks closer than a brother,” as Proverbs 18:24 puts it.

As we mentioned in the previous verse, Paul was a driven person. He knew that his calling was to preach the Gospel message to those in the Gentile world who had never heard it. He was duty bound to fulfill his calling, and he would let nothing stop him from accomplishing his task, but he also knew that he was doing so with the full blessing of his Lord and Savior.

 

Application

We should never get tired of serving God in the area He has called us. We may get tired “in serving” but never “of serving.” When we get weary from performing the work He has called us to, we need to remember that we are doing so in the fullness of Christ’s blessing. Do you want the full blessings of Christ? Then serve Him with all your strength until you have completed the work He has called you to.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:28 – The Finisher

Posted on by Will

Therefore, when I have accomplished this and have sealed this fruit to them, I will go by way of you to Spain.

Truth to Learn

Christians should not just be starters, they should be finishers.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “accomplished” is the Greek verb epiteleō, which is a compound word made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and teleō, meaning “to finish” or “to complete.” Hence, Paul is saying “when I have absolutely completed this … I shall go by way of you to Spain.”

The word translated “sealed” is a form of sphragidzō, which means “to seal as one would seal a letter with a signet ring.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul now tells the Christians in Rome that he must complete his current task before coming through Rome on the way to Spain. After he delivers the gift from the churches in Greece to the Christians in Jerusalem, he will then move on to the next task God calls him to.

Not only was Paul a driven person (driven by his own desire to serve God and driven by the Spirit of God), but he was also so focused on what he had been called to do that he would not cease until he had completed each task to which God had called him. He would not consider undertaking his journey into Spain until he had made sure that the gift was delivered to the saints in Jerusalem.

Paul now makes a curious remark. He says, “and have sealed this fruit to them.” It is possible that this refers to his having sealed the container or pouch in which the money was carried, thus indicating that he delivered every bit of the contribution, not having removed any of it for any other purpose. Whatever the sealing refers to, it is clear that Paul believed that the gift was fruit. Perhaps he meant that it was the fruit of his own ministry to the Gentile churches. Or perhaps he was referring to the gift as a fruit of the Spirit, freely and joyously given by the churches in Macedonia and Achaia. I suspect, rather, that he was referring to it as the fruit produced from the generous actions of the Greek churches. He used this same metaphor earlier in Romans when he talked about their actions being either fruit unto God or fruit unto death.

So, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may belong to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, so that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. (Romans 7:4-5)

Once he had delivered this sealed fruit, however, Paul was clearly intending on traveling to Rome to share in the ministry of the church there before continuing on to Spain.

 

Application

Surely we can all take a lesson from Paul in performing whatever God has called us to do. Whatever He asks us to do, let us do it with undivided attention and determination until it is complete and He calls us to a different task.

 

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:27 – Christian Pay-back

Posted on by Will

For it pleased them, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

Truth to Learn

We should be a blessing to those who have blessed us.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “material” is the Greek word sarkikos, which means “that which pertains to flesh and blood.” It refers to material things like food, clothing, and money.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off this verse with “For it pleased them.” The first thing we need to ask is, “It pleased whom?” Does Paul mean that it pleased the ones receiving the gifts or that it pleased the ones giving the gifts? The basic rule of grammar is that if there is a pronoun (them) that could apply to more than one subject, it generally refers to the subject most immediately preceding the pronoun (the saints in Jerusalem). Notice we said “generally” because there are exceptions of which this is one. By looking at the second half of this verse we see that Paul is saying that those of Macedonia and Achaia are debtors to the poor saints in Jerusalem. By context “them” and “they,” therefore, are referring to the same group of people, those of Macedonia and Achaia.

Paul is telling the Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome, and us, that the Gentile Christians in Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to give the gifts of money to the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. And to Paul it is obvious why they should be pleased to give these gifts, because they (the Gentile Christians) are indebted to the Jewish Christians.

The next question that we have to ask ourselves then is, “Why were the Gentile Christians indebted to the Jewish Christians?” Remember what Paul said back in the third chapter of Romans?

What superiority then has the Jew, or what is the advantage of circumcision? Much in every way! Primarily, because the oracles of God were entrusted to them. (Romans 3:1-2)

The Jews were the ones to whom God gave the oracles. The Greek word logia, which is translated “oracles” means “utterances.” In other words, the Jews are the ones who originally received the words of revelation concerning who God is and what He expects from man.

Were it not for the early converts to Christianity, who were Jews, being scattered from Jerusalem, the Gentiles would not have received the message of salvation through faith. And consider this: if Saul (Paul) and others like him had not persecuted the early converts to Christianity, they likely would not have been dispersed after the martyrdom of Stephen. Now we can understand better why Paul felt compelled to spread the gospel after his own conversion since he was one of their fiercest persecutors before he himself got saved.

If the Gentile converts have received spiritual gifts and blessings from the converted Jews, it is only right that they share in their material things with the Jewish converts.

 

Application

Think for a moment about the people who have provided you with the greatest spiritual blessings in your life. Take a moment to think about who they are and how they have blessed you. You, indeed, are indebted to them! Have you returned the favor by blessing them or other Christians in need?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved