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2 Thessalonians 1:3 – Growing Difficulties

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Will

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

Truth to Learn

Difficult times help our faith to grow.

Behind the Words

The words “we are bound” are translated from the Greek verb opheilō. This word means “to be indebted to someone” or “to owe a debt to someone.”

“Always” is from the Greek word pantote, which is made up of pas, meaning “all” and tote, meaning “at the time” or “the when.” Thus, pantote means “all the time.”

Axion is the word translated “fitting.” This Greek word is based on the verb agō, meaning “to lead” or “to bring.” Axion is a picture of a weight being placed on a set of scales, bringing it to a level position. Thus, axion is a reference to the value or worth of something.

The words “grows exceedingly” are from the verb huperauxanō, which is made up of huper (hyper), meaning “above” or “over” and auxanō, meaning “to grow” or “to increase.” Thus, huperauxanō means “to increase greatly.”

“Abounds” is translated from the verb pleonadzō, which means “to cause to have much, or more than enough.”

Meaning Explained

Why do you think the Apostle Paul felt compelled to thank God for the Thessalonian Christians? Could it be because God had answered his previous prayers? In 1 Thessalonians 3:12 he prayed:

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

As evidenced by Paul’s comments in today’s verse, God had answered his prayer, specifically regarding their growth in love. Apparently, the person who had delivered Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians had returned and informed him, among other things, that the Christians there were growing in their love for one another. And, notice that it is not just a few of them; Paul says that “the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other.”

Notice that it was not just their love which made Paul thankful. He says that their faith was growing exceedingly. So, how does a Christian grow in faith? Faith doesn’t grow all by itself just because you’re a Christian. In fact, there are many Christians whose faith is not very strong at all. Our faith grows when we see God at work in our lives. That usually means that we have to go through times of trials and testing. These are the things that cause us to fall on our knees seeking God’s help.

The Thessalonian Christians were under attack from the Jews and from their fellow countrymen as we learned from 1 Thessalonians 2:14. However, they didn’t just give up; instead, they stood up. They endured the difficult times, bowing before our Lord and seeking His face.

Application

Are you undergoing difficulties in your life right now? If so, you should be thankful to God for loving you enough to bring things into your life that will make your faith grow. Take some time to thank God for helping your faith to get stronger.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 5:16 – Rejoice Always

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Will

Rejoice always,

Truth to Learn

Christians should always be filled with joy.

Behind the Words

The Greek verb translated “rejoice,” is chairō, which literally means “to be calmly happy, to be glad, or to rejoice.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

“Always” is from pantote, which we saw in yesterday’s verse. It means “all the time.”

Meaning Explained

Here’s a little nugget for all you trivia buffs. In the Greek text, this is the shortest verse in the New Testament. It is made up of only two words. John 11:35, which has the reputation of being the shortest verse in the Bible (Jesus wept), contains three words in the Greek text. Now, back to our study —

Back in verses twelve and thirteen, Paul instructed us on how we are to regard and respect our hard working pastors. Then he challenged us regarding how we are to deal with people in the church who cause division and how we are to comfort and support the timid and weak members of our church. In yesterday’s verse, he informed us that getting retaliation for bad things done to us is not what God wants us to do. Instead, we are to always pursue the performance of good deeds.

Now, for the next few verses Paul focuses on the attitudes and actions we need to give attention to in our personal lives. The first attitude he wants us to develop is that of a joyous outlook on life. He commands us to be joyful at all times. But what if I’m going through tough times and bad things are happening to me? you may ask. It is especially important in the midst of difficult circumstances to have an attitude of joy. Yes, it’s easy to get depressed and discouraged when bad things are happening to you; however, Paul is not making a suggestion here, he is giving us a command from God.

The key is to recognize that Paul is talking about spiritual joy, not just a fleshly, emotional happiness. As Christians we need to be constantly focused on what God has done for us and the promise He has given us. God is a holy, righteous God. He is totally sinless and because of His righteousness, He must judge sinners. When we realize how sinful we are and that the penalty for our sinfulness is eternal death and damnation, we begin to recognize how undeserving we are of God’s grace.

Bad things happen to us for three reasons:

They are the consequences of our own sinfulness (God promises us forgiveness of our sin, not avoidance of its consequence).
God allows them to happen to us in order to help us grow spiritually and become more Christ-like.
They are a result of the sinful, ungodly world in which we live.

No matter what the source, however, we can be filled with joy because one day we will leave this sinful world and we will spend eternity in God’s presence. This is much better than the eternal fate that unbelievers face, whether they know it or not.

Application

In the midst of difficult circumstances we can be filled with joy, knowing that we are God’s children and we will spend eternity in His presence. Therefore, my friend, no matter what your circumstances are, learn to be filled with joy.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 5:15 – Do Good, Not Evil

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Will

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Truth to Learn

Don’t retaliate when you experience evil. Do good instead.

Behind the Words

The word translated “renders” is apodidōmi, which is composed of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and didōmi, meaning “to give.” Literally, it means “to give from,” that is, to act in response to action done. Specifically, it refers to retaliation. Some translations have this as “return” or “repay.”

Kakos is the Greek word translated “evil.” This word refers to external actions that are “worthless, bad, or evil.” A different Greek word, ponēros, refers to wickedness or maliciousness as an internal motivation.

“For” is translated from anti, meaning “opposite” or “against.” Here it indicates action directed against someone else.

“Always” is from pantote, which is made up of a form of pas, meaning “all” and tote, meaning “then, in terms of time.” Thus, pantote means “all the time” or “always.”

The word “pursue” is from the verb diokō, which means “to pursue (in a good sense” or “to persecute (in a bad sense).”

Agathos is the word translated “good.” It refers to the quality or characteristic of goodness or usefulness.

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse, Paul taught us how we are to respond to certain issues within the church. We need to caution those who are unruly or disruptive, reminding them of the need for peace and orderly conduct in the church. We also need to provide comfort and encouragement for those who are overcome with fear and doubt. And, we need to support those who are weak physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He also said that we are to do these things with an attitude of patience.

Now he tells us what not to do, and what to do instead. Each one of us at one time or another has been the recipient of malicious action, whether it was intentional or not. The normal response, driven by our sin nature, is to strike back – to get even. After all, the Old Testament teaches “an eye for an eye,” right? But that’s not what the New Testament teaches. Paul says, “Don’t repay evil for evil.” Instead of retaliating for something evil that was done to us, Paul says we need to go after what is good.

Jesus Christ is our perfect example of this. He claimed to be the Son of God (which He truly is), thus claiming to be equal with God. (Matthew 26:63, 64) Because of this, He was condemned to die. He was then ridiculed, beaten, and hung on a cross to die. Even those standing around him said, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27:40) Jesus did not deserve any of this kind of treatment, and He could have simply spoken the words and those mocking Him would have died. Instead, he chose to do what was ultimately the kindest, most loving thing anyone has ever done. He stayed on the cross and gave His life as payment for your sins and mine. He did what was good for all.

Application

The next time someone does something evil to you, remember what Jesus did for you. Remember what Paul teaches us: pursue what is good for all. This will glorify God.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 2:16 – Proclaim It Fearlessly

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Will

forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

Truth to Learn

Christians are to share the Gospel, in spite of persecution.

Behind the Words

“Forbidding” is translated from the Greek verb kōluō, which is related to the noun kolos, which refers to “a dwarf.” The verb kōluō means “to weaken” or “to cut off.” In its common usage, it means “to hinder, restrain, or prevent.”

Laleō is the verb translated “to speak.” It refers to verbal conversation in general, as opposed to the content of the conversation, which would be the word legō.

The word “Gentiles” is from the Greek noun ethnos. This word literally refers to “a group of people belonging and living together.” In Greek secular writing, it primarily refers to “a race of people” or “a nation.” The Jews used this word to refer to anyone who was not a Jew, that is, a Gentile.

“Saved” is translated from sodzō, which means “to rescue from danger or destruction.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility or probability of it happening.

“Always” is translated from pantote, which is made up of a form of pas, meaning “all” and tote, meaning “then.” Therefore, pantote means “all the time.”

The words “fill up” are from anaplēroō. This is composed of ana, meaning “up,” used as an intensifier, and plēroō, meaning “to fill.” Thus, anaplēroō means “to fill up completely.

The words “has come upon” are from the verb phthanō, meaning “to come suddenly and unexpectedly.”

“Uttermost” is from telos, meaning “the termination,” “the completion,” or “the end.”

Meaning Explained

The Thessalonian Christians were just told that they are suffering in the same way as the Christians in Judea, at the hands of their own countrymen. Paul now describes the motivation behind such persecution. He says that their countrymen tried to prevent them from having conversations with the people around them so that these people might not hear and believe the gospel message, thus getting saved.

This sounds very contemporary, doesn’t it? Even in our own country, which was originally based on religious freedom and the freedom of speech, our countrymen are trying to prevent us from spreading the good news. Prayer has been taken out of our schools and teachers are forbidden from sharing the Gospel message. Discussions about sin and salvation are hindered in the workplace and many government offices have forbidden the display of Christian materials.

But Paul tells us that the consequences of such hindering of the Gospel will be far worse for those who are hindering our witness than they will be for us. Their actions will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment and they will experience the wrath of God, while we will only know the peace of God.

Application

Don’t be discouraged from sharing the Gospel message with people around you. Keep in mind that it is “… the power of God unto salvation …” (Romans 1:16) that causes people to believe, not your own persuasiveness.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 1:2 – Prayer Warriors

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Will

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

Truth to Learn

Our ministry should be focused on what God will do for others.

Behind the Words

The words “We give thanks” are translated from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant” or “to give.” The basic meanings of this word include “to show oneself to be pleased or grateful” or “to give thanks.”

“Always” is from pantote, which is a compound word composed of pan, meaning “all” or “every” and tote, which literally means “the when,” but by usage it means “then.” So a completely literal translation of this word would be “every when,” that is, “at all times.”

“Making mention” is translated from poioumenoi mneian. Poioumenoi is the present participle of the verb poieō (to make), so it literally means “making.” Mneian is based on the verb mnaomai, meaning “to remember.” Thus mneian refers to “a remembrance.” So, Paul is literally saying “making a remembrance of you …”

The word translated “prayers” is proseuchē, which is made up of pros, meaning “to” or “toward” and a form of euchomai, meaning “to wish” or “to pray.” Proseuchē refers specifically to a prayer (or wish) expressed to God.

Meaning Explained

We see something here that is very characteristic of the Apostle Paul. He is a person of prayer as much as (perhaps even more than) he is a preacher. His letters often talk about how he remembers in his prayers, and is thankful for, those to whom he is writing (Romans 1:9; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4; Colossians 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 1:4). We also see here an example of how often Paul is engaged in prayer (pantote = “every when”), that is, all the time. Based on what he has written to this church and others, Paul was constantly in prayer. Perhaps, he was not audibly praying at all times, but he seems to have been in constant communication with our Heavenly Father. He obviously practiced what he preached, for later in this very letter he admonishes his readers to “pray without ceasing” (1Thessalonians 5:17).

However, Paul was not a lonely prayer warrior. He states very clearly here that “We give thanks …” It appears that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy spent time together praying about their ministry and praying for those to whom they ministered. These servants of God did not just preach the gospel to one group of people and then move on to preach to others, forgetting those to whom they ministered as soon as they were out of sight. No, they made constant remembrances of every church they had ministered to and probably remembered most of the people by name.

These faithful ministers were not focused on what God would do for them; they were focused on what God would do for others through them.

Application

Do you have a specific ministry within the church? If so, are you ministering to others for what you can get out of it, or are you ministering to others for what they can get from God? And, do you pray regularly for those to whom you minister?

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 6:18 – Perpetual Persistent Prayer

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Will

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Truth to Learn

Prayer is important in spiritual battles and at every other time.

Behind the Words

“Praying” is from the Greek verb proseuchomai, which is made up of pros, meaning “to” or “toward” and euchomai, meaning “to vocally express a wish or a vow.” Proseuchomai means “to pray to God.” It is a generic term for praying.

The word “always” is translated from en panti kairō, which literally means “in all seasons” or “at all times.”

The word “supplication” is translated from deēsis, which is derived from the verb deomai, meaning “to make known a particular need.” Deēsis is sometimes used in reference to a prayer in general, but it typically refers to a specific request for oneself.

Agrupneō is the word translated “being watchful.” It is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and a form of hupnos, meaning “to sleep.” So, literally this word means “without sleep,” but figuratively it means “to be watchful and attentive to possible danger.” It is a picture of a watchman who is alert and watching out for danger while everyone else is asleep.”

“Perseverance” is from proskartereō. This is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and kartereō, meaning “to endure.” Proskartereō means “to remain steadfast and faithful.”

Meaning Explained

Paul now seems to abruptly switch from spiritual battles to the believer’s prayer life. Actually, the change is not as abrupt as it may first appear. He recognizes that prayer is vitally important in the midst of spiritual battles. However, prayer is just as important for every other aspect of the Christian walk, so Paul uses the subject of prayer to bring his teaching to a close.

First, he teaches us when to pray (in all seasons). In other words, even though we end each individual prayer with “amen,” our attitude of prayer continues. In 1Corinthians 5:17, he teaches us to “pray continually.” Our minds and spirits should always have an open connection with God. Next, Paul tells us that we should pray with all kinds of prayer, making known all kinds of needs. There is nothing so insignificant that it should not be prayed about. Our prayers should always be “in the Spirit.” This means that we need to be “in tune” with the Spirit of God, sensitive to His leading, submitted to His will, allowing the Spirit to intercede for us when we don’t know how we ought to pray.

“Being watchful” is probably in reference to spiritual attacks from our enemy. We need to be ever on our guard, so that we can bathe each skirmish in prayer. Paul then tells us that we need to remain steadfast and faithful in our prayer life, not just for our own battles, but for all Christians.

Application

Prayer is so easy, yet at times it’s hard to do. It is nothing more than talking to God, yet it is easy to forget about in all the busyness of our lives. Some people set aside a specific time of the day to pray while others endeavor to talk to God all day long. What do you do to continually talk with the One who has already given you more than you could ever ask for?

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:20 – Thankful for Everything

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Will

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Truth to Learn

Thankfulness is an indication of Spirit-filling.

Behind the Words

“Giving thanks” is translated from the Greek word eucharisteō. This word is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to give” or “to be gracious.” Eucharisteō means “to give thanks.” Because of the derivation of this word, when we give thanks at a meal it is known as “saying grace.”

Pantote is the word translated “always.” It is composed of a form of pas, meaning “all” or “every” and a form of hote, which is an adverb of time. Thus, pantote literally means “at all times” or “always.”

The words “all things” are from the Greek word pas, which we just learned means “all” or “every.” In the form that is used here it means “all things” or “everything.”

Meaning Explained

Paul is giving examples of what happens when a person is “filled with the Spirit.” The first example was given in yesterday’s verse:

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

In today’s verse he gives the second evidence, “giving thanks always for all things.” When we are filled with the Spirit we are thankful, not just one day a year on Thanksgiving Day, but at all times. Now, here’s the hard part of Paul’s teaching in this verse – when we are filled with the Spirit we are thankful “for all things.” Notice, he did not say, “for all good and pleasant things,” or “for all the things that make us feel good.” He said, “for all things.”

Being Spirit-filled makes us thankful for everything that God brings into our lives. Paul taught the same thing about thanksgiving in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica:

pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1Thessalonians 5:17-18)

And his teaching to the Philippian Christians was similar:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6)

So – being Spirit-filled causes us to be truly thankful for even the bad things that happen to us: thankful for heartache and pain, thankful for injury or disease, thankful for the loss of a loved one, thankful for persecution, thankful for being made the way we are, thankful for being too short, thankful for being too tall, thankful for being too skinny, thankful for being too fat, thankful for a mean boss, thankful for …

Finally, notice that we are to give thanks to the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are not instructed to thank Jesus. We are to thank the Father in Jesus’ name.

Application

What are you thankful for? Careful, that’s a trick question. If we allow ourselves to be filled with the Spirit, then we will be thankful for ALL things at ALL times!

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 3:8 – He Always Is

Posted on June 23, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:8

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

Truth to Learn

God is always present … everywhere and at all times.

Behind the Words

The word “forget” is translated from lanthanō, which we looked at back in verse five. It means “to lie hidden” or “to be unaware of.” So, a better translation of the beginning of this verse would be, “But do not ignore this one thing …”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is one of those which people seem to delight in pulling out of context and using as a proof text for bizarre doctrines (like the earth wasn’t really created in seven days but in seven eons). However, instead of talking about what this verse doesn’t mean, let’s talk about what it does mean.

First of all, Peter is refuting those who claim that the Messiah (the Christ) is not coming because the message of His coming has been proclaimed for thousands of years, and there is no more evidence of it today than there was when it was first proclaimed. These scoffers claim that everything is continuing on without change for all this time, and there is no chance for a change any time soon.

Peter first refuted this by saying that things have not continued in the same way always, and he cites the flood of Noah’s day as an example. He also warns that there will be another judgment of the earth and its inhabitants, this time by fire.

Now for Peter’s second rebuttal of belief in uniformitarianism. First, though, he warns his readers, “Do not ignore this one thing.” It is his way of saying that the following is a very important thing to learn: “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

So what does this phrase really mean? Just this: God is not bound by time. It’s as simple as that! He is right now in eternity past, He is also in eternity future, and He is everywhere in between. Christ, Himself, expressed it when He was arguing with the Jews:

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58)

The expression “I am” means that in every point of time, God is there in the present. It is not just a matter that God has always existed and will always exist but that He simultaneously exists in all points of time and eternity. Therefore, to Him, a moment in time is the same as a thousand years, is the same as a day. That’s what Peter is saying. And, since God is not bound by time, the argument (that it has been thousands of years since the message was first preached and He still hasn’t come) has no bearing in the matter at all.

Application

The next time you find yourself getting impatient with God, wondering why He hasn’t answered your prayers yet, keep in mind that God knows the end from the beginning. He is already there and He knows precisely the right time to help you in your “hour” of need.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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