Tag: church

Ephesians 3:21 – Praise God!

Posted on by Will

to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Truth to Learn

God deserves all our praise!

Behind the Words

The word “glory” is translated from doxa, from which we get our English word doxology. It is derived from the verb dokeō, meaning “thought or opinion, especially favorable human opinion.” The word doxa refers to “honor, praise, glory, splendor, excellence, or renown.”

“Church” is from the Greek word ekklēsia, a compound word made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call someone.” Therefore, ekklēsia refers to “a called out group of people.” It was a common term for a congregation or “citizens who were called out to assemble for a public meeting.”

The word “generations” is translated from genea, which is derived from the verb ginomai, meaning “to come into being.” Initially this word simply meant “a generation,” but later it came to refer to “a space of time” or “a circle of time.” As it is used in this verse, it clearly refers to “generations.”

“Forever and ever” is an interesting expression. The Greek words are tou aiōnos tōn aiōnōn, which literally translate to “of the age of the ages.” So technically, “forever and ever” is a paraphrase, but it is probably the closest English expression to expressing the idea of the Greek words.

Meaning Explained

Paul is now closing the prayer for the members of the church in Ephesus (and by extension for all Christians). This prayer, which began in verse fourteen, contains four petitions:

  1. That the Father would strengthen us internally by the Holy Spirit
  2. That Christ would dwell in our hearts through faith
  3. That we might experientially know the love of Christ
  4. That we would be filled with all the fullness of God

Take a minute to recognize how effective Paul’s prayer is. All of us who are committed Christians experience all four of those things that Paul prayed for. Thank you, Paul!

In closing his prayer, the Apostle first proclaimed that God has more than enough power to do far more than we could ever ask or think, indicating how mighty He is. Now he proclaims a statement of the recognition that God deserves.

Notice that Paul proclaims the renown, the honor, and the praise that God is due (and which He receives) within the church. Outside the church, however, we see that God receives very little recognition for who He is or for what He has done. For the most part, those outside the church want to ignore God. Like ostriches, they think that if they hide their head in the sand by denying their own sinfulness or God’s sovereignty, they won’t have to face the consequences of their sins. How wrong they are, and how horrified they will be when they finally discover the truth and their fate.

Application

Like Paul, let us give God the recognition, honor, and praise that He is due. He deserves it all, and we owe Him all that we can possibly give to Him.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Ephesians 1:22 – Supreme Authority

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 1:22  – Supreme Authority

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins and He is now your supreme authority with regard to all things physical and spiritual.

Behind the Words

The words “put … under” are translated from hupotassō, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tassō, meaning “to place in an orderly arrangement.” Thus, hupotassō means “to intentionally place in a lower position.”

“Gave” is from the Greek verb didōmi, which means “to give” or “to grant.”

The word “head” is from the noun kephalē, which refers to “a head.” It can refer to the physical head of a body or, metaphorically, it can refer to “the supreme position of authority.”

“All” is the translation of the Greek word pas. It is expressed here in the neuter gender. Therefore, it refers to “all things.”

The Greek word ekklēsia is translated “church.” Ekklēsia is made up of ek, meaning “out” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” So, ekklēsia refers to something that has been “called out.” Originally, this word referred to an assembly of citizens who were called out by civil authorities. It is used throughout the New Testament to refer to a church, either a local assembly or the world-wide church.

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about the awesome power that God displayed when He raised Jesus Christ from the dead. As He did this, He also seated Jesus at His right hand, the position of greatest honor. In this position He is far above all of creation, both physical and spirit. This is an indication of the supreme position of honor in which Jesus has been placed. Now, to emphasize the point a little bit more, Paul says that God the Father also put all of creation beneath His feet. This is a direct fulfillment of the words spoken in the Psalms:

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, (Psalms 8:6)

In other words, Jesus Christ is not only supreme in honor, but He is also supreme in authority. All of creation must submit to the authority of Jesus Christ or face the outpouring of His wrath. Those who submit to His authority during this life will not experience His wrath at the judgment. Notice that as Christians, we are commanded to submit to the authority of Jesus Christ and we are commanded to submit to each other as well, as Paul teaches later in this letter (see Ephesians 5:21).

As supreme authority over all of creation, Jesus has also been given a special position with regard to all Christians. He is our Lord individually, but He is also placed in the highest position regarding the church. He is our spiritual authority.

Application

As a Christian, you have humbled yourself before God and accepted the blood of Jesus as payment for your sins. At the same time, you placed yourself under His authority.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to:

Romans 16:5 – Committed and Active

Posted on by Will

Romans 16:5 – Committed and Active

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

Truth to Learn

Christianity involves active participation, not passive attendance.

Behind the Words

Notice that the word “greet” is in an italic font. That’s because it does not appear in the Greek text, but has been inserted by the translators. The Greek text actually reads, “Likewise the church that is in their house.”

“Church” is from the Greek noun ekklēsia, which is made up of ek, meaning “out of” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” Hence, we see that ekklēsia literally means “a group of called out ones.” It originally referred to citizens who were called out by a herald for a public meeting. As Christians gathered in the first century they were initially referred to as a synagogue (from the Greek sunagogē, meaning “gathered together ones”). But, in order to distinguish them from a Jewish gathering, they were soon referred to as a church (ekklēsia).

The word “firstfruits” is translated from aparchē. This is another compound word. This one is made up of apo, meaning “from” and archomai, meaning “to begin.” Thus, aparchē literally means “begin from.” In other words, it is the beginning of something from which other things follow.

The word “Achaia” does not appear in some of the major Greek texts. Instead, the word Asia appears.

Meaning Explained

The first thing we learn from this verse is that Aquila and Priscilla were totally involved in ministering for the Lord. Not only did they work with Paul in both secular and spiritual activities, helping Paul and even risking their own lives for him, but they also had a church meeting in their own house. Some have speculated that this simply indicated some of the members of the church in Rome gathering in their home from time to time. However, we know that Aquila and Priscilla seemed to use their home for church meetings elsewhere as well. Since Paul wrote 1Corinthians from Ephesus, we see that Aquila and Priscilla had a church meeting in their house in Ephesus as well.

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1Corinthians 16:19)

Paul now moves on from Aquila and Priscilla, sending greetings to a man named Epaenetus. His name means “praised.” We know nothing about this man other than what Paul proclaims here. He was someone very special to Paul because he refers to Epaenetus as his “beloved.” He also indicates that this man was the firstfruits of Achaia (or Asia). This implies that Epaenetus was the first (or one of the first) people to become a Christian in that area.

Application

Aquila and Priscilla were active members involved in ministering to the body of Christ no matter where they were. Likewise, Phoebe used what God had given to her to support the body, especially those who had a particular need. Are you an active member of the body of Christ, or do you just go to church?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to: