Tag: diakonos

Ephesians 3:7 – Humble Building Block

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Ephesians 3:7  – Humble Building Block

of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

Truth to Learn

God places each of us in the temple of God and gives us the gifts we need to perform the function He has placed us into.

Behind the Words

“Minister” is translated from the Greek noun diakonos, from which we get our English word “deacon.” The Greek word is probably derived from the verb diakō, meaning “to run an errand.” Technically, diakonos refers to “an attendant,” “an errand boy,” “someone who waits on tables” or “someone who performs menial duties.” In the New Testament, deacons are seen as those who help or serve the elders and bishops.

The word “gift” is from dōrea, which is derived from the verb didōmi, meaning “to give.” Thus, dōrea refers to “that which is gratuitously given” or “a gift.”

“Effective” is translated from energeia. This is the word from which we get our English word “energy.” It refers to “the energetic, active, or effective work.”

“Power” is from dunamis, which refers to “ability or power.”

Meaning Explained

In today’s verse, Paul tells us that he became an errand boy of the gospel as a gift of grace from God. In our Christian churches today there is much confusion over the titles minister, preacher, pastor, elder, and bishop. Thus, these words are often used interchangeably. However, in the Greek language they are significantly different words. The Greek word most often translated preacher is a form of the word kērussō meaning “to proclaim.” And the word most often translated elder is presbuteros meaning “an older man,” while the word most often translated bishop is episkopos, meaning “an overseer.” In the New Testament these three words describe different functions of the senior pastor of a local church. It’s interesting that Paul did not use any of these three words to describe himself in today’s verse; instead, he calls himself “a minister;” that is, “an errand boy” of the gospel.

This is a characteristic which seems to be common in the apostolic writings. Even though these men were called to an extremely important office in the building of the church (remember, they’re part of the foundation of the building), they often refer to themselves as servants, slaves, or errand boys of the Gospel of Christ.

Paul recognizes that he didn’t put himself into the position he has in the temple of God. God is the one who places each stone. God is the one who places each one of us in the temple. And God gives us the gifts and abilities we need to perform that function in accordance with His will.

Application

In the temple of God there is no place for pride or arrogance. No matter what function we are performing within the temple, we have no reason to consider ourselves any better than anyone else. In fact, we should not be comparing ourselves with each other. We should be comparing ourselves with Christ, and compared to Him, the best we can hope to be is a faithful servant or errand boy. What are you in the temple of God?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 16:1 – Phoebe the Deaconess

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Romans 16:1 – Phoebe the Deaconess

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 © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:16 – Ministerial Calling

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Romans 15:16 – Ministerial Calling

that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Truth to Learn

Christians are called to a ministry of proclaiming the gospel message to everyone.

Behind the Words

The word translated “minister” is not the word most often translated minister (diakonos); rather, it is the Greek word leitourgos, which is a compound word made up of leitos, meaning “of the people” and a form of ergon, meaning “work.” Thus, we see that this word refers to a public servant, one who works for the people.

“Ministering” is translated from yet a different word. It is the Greek word hierourgeō, which is also a compound word. It is made up of hieron, meaning “a temple” and a form of ergon, meaning “work.” Hence, it refers to sacred work. It is the word that is used of the service that a priest did in the temple in Jerusalem offering up sacrifices to God for the people.

The word translated “acceptable” is euprosdechtos, which is made up of eu, meaning “good or well” and a form of prosdechomai, meaning “to receive” or “to accept.” So, it refers to something that is especially well accepted.

“Sanctified” is from a form of hagiadzō, which means “to be taken from common usage and used for the service of God.” The basic meaning is “to be set apart.” It is usually translated as “sanctified” or as “holy.”

Meaning Explained

This verse is the continuation of what Paul was saying in the previous verse. You will recall that he is explaining why he was so bold in his comments to the Christians in Rome. Combining the last part of the previous verse and the first part of this verse, we see he is saying, “because of the grace given to me by God that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.”

Paul is well aware of the ministry to which he has been called by the grace of God, the ministry of apostleship to the Gentiles. But in Paul’s humble manner he does not claim to be the apostle to the Gentiles, instead he calls himself a minister, one who works for the common people, a public servant.

And, according to Paul, his responsibility in this position is “ministering the gospel of God;” that is, he was performing the sacred work of presenting the gospel of God in a clear and understandable manner for the Gentiles.

In other words, Paul is saying he is a public servant of Jesus Christ, doing the sacred work of the gospel of God. He is proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles so that their offerings will be particularly well acceptable to God through the purifying work of the Holy Spirit. Paul is not serving himself, he is serving God and he is serving the Gentiles to whom he is delivering the message of salvation through faith.

Application

And we, too, who are saved by the blood of Christ, are ministers of the gospel of God. It is our responsibility to carry the gospel to others, proclaiming this salvation that is available to all who will believe. It is a ministry to which God has called us all. Are you serving God and others? Are you fulfilling your ministry of proclaiming the gospel to those around you?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 15:8 – Breaking Old Habits

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Romans 15:8 – Breaking Old Habits

Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers,

Truth to Learn

The bondage of manmade rules and tradition is hard to break.

Behind the Words

“Has become” is translated from the verb ginomai (from which we get our English word generate), meaning “to begin to be, to come into existence, or to become.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense which, in Greek, implies past completed action with an ongoing effect where the emphasis is on the effect.

The word translated “servant” is from the Greek word diakonos which means “one who waits on tables” or “one who serves the needs of others.” This word is often translated as “minister.”

“Confirm” is from the Greek verb bebaioō, meaning “to strengthen, make true, or fulfill.”

Meaning Explained

In this and the following verse Paul will demonstrate to the Christians at Rome why the work of Christ is different, though equally vital, for the Jews and the Gentiles. His purpose, I believe, is to show the Gentile converts in Rome that the Jews have a good reason for wanting to continue to follow the ordinances laid out by the Mosaic Law, and at the same time to show the Jewish converts that the Gentiles have a good reason for not wanting to be bound by those same ordinances.

The first half of this reasoning is contained in the current verse. He says that “Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision.” As mentioned above, the verb “has become” is in the perfect tense, so what Paul is saying is that Jesus Christ became and continues to be one who serves the needs of the Jews with respect to God’s truth.

The way that Jesus has done and continues to do this is by having confirmed, or fulfilled, the promises made to the Jewish fathers. What promises, you say? The promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and others concerning the Messiah’s coming and His being the seed of the woman, and of Abraham, and of David. Jesus perfectly fulfilled all that was promised to the Jewish fathers and, therefore, confirms the truth of God’s promise. In so doing, Jesus demonstrates to the Jewish converts that all that has been written in the Old Testament is truth. This gives the Jewish converts reason to believe in Christ and in all that is said of him in the Old Testament. However, it also gives them reason to want to continue conforming to the requirements of the Law.

Paul has taught that righteousness cannot be obtained by obedience to the Law and the Jewish members of the church at Rome were learning that they couldn’t perfectly keep the requirements of the Law anyway. Nonetheless, it is difficult for anyone who has lived his or her life by a strict set of rules to suddenly stop doing those things to which they have been bound for so long.

Application

Every church has rules or traditions which are not based on what the Word of God teaches. As we learn where the truth of the Bible contradicts these rules and traditions, we will want to change how we act, but it is difficult. Recognizing which of these rules and traditions are contrary to truth is the first step in being set free from them. Are you still in bondage or have you been set free in Christ?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 13:6 – Taxes? Really?

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Romans 13:6 – Taxes? Really?

For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.

Truth to Learn

Paying taxes is part of God’s plan for government.

Behind the Words

The words “you pay” are from the Greek verb teleō, which literally means “to end.” By implication it also means “to pay in full” with regard to tributes, customs, tolls, or taxes.

“Taxes” is translated from the Greek word phoros, which is a derivative of the verb phero, meaning “to bring.” So, phoros refers to that which is brought. It usually refers to an annual tax or tribute imposed upon persons and their property.

A couple of verses back we looked at the word “minister,” translated from the noun diakonos. The word “ministers” in this verse is different, however. It is the Greek word leitourgos, which is made up of leitos, meaning “of the people” and a form of ergon, meaning “work.” It refers to a public servant, and in this case it refers to those who are God’s public servants. The English word liturgy (a set pattern for public worship) comes from this Greek word.

“Continually” is translated from proskartereō, which is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and kertereō, meaning “to be strong or steadfast, that is, to endure.” Proskartereō means “to continue performing a task steadfastly or faithfully.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has been talking about the obligation that Christians have to submit to authorities who are over us whether those authorities are occupational, religious, or civil. We are to submit to them because they have been put in place by God and they are there for our protection. The only time we are to resist these authorities is when they command us to behave contrary to the way that God has commanded us to behave.

Paul now continues with this reasoning to explain that because they have been put in place by God, Himself, we also pay taxes to them. At the time this letter was written, this tribute was paid by one province or nation to a superior as the price of protection or as an acknowledgment of subjection. The Romans made all conquered provinces and nations pay this tribute, and it became a question of whether it was right to acknowledge this claim and submit to it. This question would be particularly important to the Jews and the Jewish Christians in Rome. But on the principle which the apostle has just enunciated, it was right to do it, and was demanded by the very purposes of government.

Paul goes on to proclaim that, in fact, the governments of this world are God’s servants. They are in place to perform the public service. Thus, whether they acknowledge it or not, they are God’s public servants and as such we are to submit ourselves to them.

So the question of whether or not we should pay taxes to a corrupt, ungodly government is clearly answered by Paul. Yes, because in doing so we are submitting to them and to God.

Application

Every year as April 15th approaches, Americans prepare their tax returns. During this time we become acutely aware how much tax we really pay. The temptation is to cheat and not pay as much as we owe, but Paul says, “Pay it all.”

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 13:4 – Authority of Vengeance

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Romans 13:4 – Authority of Vengeance

For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

Truth to Learn

We are to submit to those in authority and give God the glory.

Behind the Words

The word translated “minister” is diakonos, which means “one who waits on tables.” It is the word from which we get our English word “deacon.” It specifically means one who serves the needs and desires of someone else, and it is most often used in reference to a spiritual hierarchy. It is sometimes translated as “servant.”

The word translated “avenger” is ekdikos, which is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “from” and dike, meaning “justice.” Thus, we see that this refers to someone who carries out justice, that is, a punisher or an executioner.

“Wrath” is from orgē, which we have looked at before. It refers to “excitement of the mind.” This word can be interpreted as “strong desire,” but it can also be interpreted as “violent passion, anger, or wrath.”

Meaning Explained

The first thing that we need to ascertain in this verse is who “he” is. “He” is a reference to “the authority” spoken of in the previous verse, and it refers both to the position and to the person in that position. Those who are in authority are placed there as ministers or servants in God’s hierarchy and they are there for the purpose of doing good.

In the previous verse Paul told us that the way to not fear those in authority is to do good. In this verse he addresses the other side of that coin. “But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain.” The use of the word sword here is a reference to the ability of those in authority to execute justice on those who disobey. It may, in fact, be a reference to the ability of civil government to execute capital punishment. Paul even supports this in his next phrase, “for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”

Clearly, Paul is telling us that the power and authorization of those who are in authority over us comes directly from God for the purpose of keeping peace and punishing evildoers. But what about those in authority who are themselves evil; should we resist them? Let’s look at David as our example here. In 1Samuel 24 he was being pursued by Saul, the King, even though David has done nothing to warrant this persecution. David and his men, hidden in a cave, have the opportunity to kill Saul when he comes into the same cave to take a nap. David refuses to kill Saul because he is God’s anointed.

And he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.” (1Samuel 24:6)

If David refused to strike Saul because he was God’s anointed ruler, then we should also refuse to act against one who God has ordained to be over us.

Application

We Christians must respect those in authority over us though they have power to do evil to us. We may not like them and they may not like us, but we are to submit ourselves to them because of their position. Such submission pleases God.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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