Tag: for

Ephesians 3:2 – Administrator of Grace

Posted on by Will

if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,

Truth to Learn

All Christians are commissioned to preach the Gospel.

 

Behind the Words

The word “if” is translated from ei. This is a conditional particle which introduces a conditional clause. In New Testament Greek (Koinē Greek) there are four types of conditional clauses, although only three of them appear in the Bible. The first class condition assumes the “if” clause to be true. The second class condition assumes the “if” clause to be false and the third class condition makes no assumption. In today’s verse we see a first class condition, so Paul assumes that his readers have heard of the dispensation.

“Indeed” is from ge, which is a particle of emphasis or qualification. It serves to strengthen or render more emphatic the word to which it is appended (if). It can be variously translated as “besides, doubtless, indeed, at least, or yet.”

The word translated “dispensation” is oikonomia, which is made up of oikos, meaning “house” and a form of nemō, meaning “to distribute or apportion.” In the first century, it was not uncommon for a land owner to have one slave who was steward (in charge) of his household. The word oikonomia refers to this position of household administrator, the work done by an administrator, or the process of administration. In today’s verse it refers to the “administration” or “stewardship” of the grace of God.

The word “for” is from the Greek word eis, which literally means “into” or “toward.” In this verse it refers to a direction of the mind. In other words, this information was given to Paul to relay it to us. In this sense, it was given to him “for” us.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul, like every believer in Jesus Christ, has been the recipient of God’s grace as he described it in the previous chapter:

For by grace you are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8)

However, that’s not what he is specifically referring to in today’s verse. Here he is talking about “the dispensation of the grace of God” or the administration of the grace of God. God chose the Apostle Paul to be the administrator of His grace for the Gentiles. What he means by this is that God has entrusted him with the message of salvation by grace, through faith, and it is his responsibility to deliver it to the Gentiles. In Acts chapter twenty-six Paul described to King Agrippa how he received this responsibility directly from the Lord, who said:

But rise up and stand on your feet; for it is for this reason I appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things which you saw and of the things which I will yet reveal to you, delivering you from the Jewish people, and the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, (Acts 26:16, 17)

In fact, he told the believers in Corinth that he now has no choice but to preach the Gospel message:

For if I proclaim the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16)

Paul recognized his responsibility to administer the grace of God by proclaiming the Good News to people throughout the known world, and he performed that task until the day he died.

 

Application

We, too, have been given a commission to preach the Gospel message. Are you carrying out that commission? Are you sharing the Good News with those around you?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 3:1 – A Serving Stone

Posted on by Will

Because of this I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—

Truth to Learn

Serving God as part of His kingdom is a very high calling.

 

Behind the Words

“Because of this” is translated from the Greek words toutou charin. The first of these, toutou, is a form of touto, meaning “this” and charin means “on account of,” “because of,” or “for the sake of.” So, we have translated the opening phrase as “Because of this.”

“Prisoner” is from desmios, which is derived from the verb desmeō, meaning “to bind.” Thus, desmios means “someone in bonds” or “a prisoner.”

The words “Christ Jesus” are transliterated from the words christou iēsou. The interesting thing to note here is that Paul adds the definite article tou (the). Therefore, this could be translated as “the Christ, Jesus.”

 The second use of the word “for” in this verse is translated from huper, which means “above” or “over.” As used here it means “for the sake of” or “for the benefit of.”

Ethnos is the Greek word translated “Gentiles.” We looked at this in the previous chapter. It refers to any group or race of people. It is what Jews have historically called anyone who was not a Jew. Paul uses this term in reference to two different groups of people. Sometimes, he uses it, like the Jews do, in reference to anyone who is not a religious Jew (as he is in this verse). Sometimes, however, he uses this word in reference to a non-Christian.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul starts out this verse (and this chapter) with “Because of this.” So, we have to ask ourselves, “Because of what?” Well, what has he just been talking about? Beginning in verse eleven of the previous chapter, Paul taught us that before Christ came, we Gentiles were without a savior, we were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and we were not included in the covenants that God made with Israel. Basically, we were without hope. But now, because of Christ, we are no longer strangers and foreigners, we are fellow citizens with the saints of old and we are part of God’s household. And – we are part of God’s temple, which is being built with the lives of all who are saved. In short: we were lost, we are now saved and part of God’s family, and God has a purpose for us in His kingdom.

Because of this, Paul wants to give us further instruction. However, a strange thing happens starting in this verse and continuing through verse thirteen. In these verses Paul gets sidetracked with an explanation and justification of his own ministry (his position as a foundation stone in the temple of God). So, to learn the rest of “Because of this” we have to go to verse fourteen, “I bow my knees to the Father …” As we get to that verse, we will see that Paul has a special prayer for the rest of us building blocks in God’s temple.

Meanwhile, he will share with us some of the reasons why God has made him a foundation stone in the temple. He starts that off with a reminder that he is in bonds. He tells us that he is a prisoner of the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. In the book of Romans, he goes to great lengths to show us that we were once in bondage to sin but we are now owned by a new master, God Himself. He is now our master. But I don’t think that’s what Paul is referring to here. In chapter six, verse twenty of this letter, he will tell us that he is an ambassador in chains. From this most scholars believe that Paul wrote this letter from a prison cell in Rome where he was sent because of his testimony of salvation in Jesus Christ. Thus, he says that he is a prisoner of Christ (or “because” of Christ). He literally was a prisoner because of his testimony of Christ.

 

Application

How high do you consider your calling in Jesus Christ? Are you willing to go to prison simply because you are a Christian? Are you willing to lose your job simply because you are a Christian? Are you willing to suffer simply because you are a Christian? What’s more important, serving God, or yourself?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:15 – Do Good, Not Evil

Posted on 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,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:10 – Eternal, Living Faith

Posted on by Will

who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Truth to Learn

Faith in Jesus Christ means living with Him eternally.

Behind the Words

“Died” is from apothnēskō, which is composed of apo, meaning “from” or “away from,” used as an intensifier, and thnēskō, meaning “to die.” Literally, apothnēskō means “to die off,” but it is often used to refer to death of any kind.

The word translated “for” is huper (or hyper) meaning “over” or “above.” As used here it also means “for the sake of.”

The words “whether” and “or” are both translated from eite. It is composed of ei, meaning “if” or “whether” and te, meaning “both” or “also.” It is used in Greek to set items in contrast or opposition to one another.

Grēgoreuō is the Greek verb translated “wake.” It means “to keep wake” or “to be watchful.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating possibility or probability.

The word translated “sleep” is katheudō, meaning “to fall asleep.” It, too, is written in the subjunctive mood.

“We should live” is translated from the verb dzaō, meaning “to have life.” Like grēgoreuō and katheudō, it is expressed in the subjunctive mood.

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapter of his letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul began his current teaching regarding the rapture and the Day of the Lord. As he introduced the subject of the rapture, he said:

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

In this discourse on the rapture and the Day of the Lord, Paul has used the word “sleep” in two different ways. In teaching about the rapture, he used the term to refer to Christians who have died physically. In his teaching about the Day of the Lord, however, he used the word as a reference to those who are spiritually unaware. He contrasted those who are of the day (Christians) with those who are of the night (unbelievers). And, he warned us who are of the day to be awake (aware) and prepared for spiritual battles. In yesterday’s verse Paul reminded us that God did not place us in a situation where we will suffer His wrath (the Day of the Lord), rather in a situation to obtain salvation (raptured off the earth before the Day of the Lord). Also, in yesterday’s verse he reminded us that our salvation is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Now, Paul says that Christ died for our sake. He didn’t die for Himself because He was without sin and was not facing the death sentence that we were facing. He died so that we could have eternal life. He died for our sake. Why did He die for us? He died for us so that we might live eternally with Him. It doesn’t matter whether we are physically alive or dead at the time of the rapture; all Christians, together, will live with him eternally. This, he tells us in the next verse, should be a comfort to all Christians.

Application

If you are a born-again Christian, you will spend eternity with Jesus Christ. If not, you will be separated from Him forever!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:9 – Why We Fight!

Posted on by Will

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Truth to Learn

We need to realize what God has given us and fight for Him.

Behind the Words

“For” is from hoti, meaning “because.” It serves to introduce something that is the reason for what was just said.

The Greek word translated “appoint” is tithēmi, which means “to set” or “to put in place.” Here it means that God did not place us in a position in which we would receive His wrath.

“Wrath” is from orgē, which properly means “strong desire” or “excitement of the mind,” that is “strong passion.” By implication it means “punishment,” but it is most often translated as “wrath.”

Peripoiēsis is the Greek word translated “obtain.” It is made up of peri, meaning “around” and a form of poieō, meaning “to make” or “to do.” Thus, peripoiesis carries the meaning of surrounding yourself with things. It is most often translated with the English words “acquire” or “obtain.”

“Salvation” is translated from sōtēria, which refers to “safety, deliverance, or preservation from danger or destruction.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse, Paul exhorted us to put on the breastplate of faith and love as well as the helmet of salvation. This is to be followed by being of a sober mind, thinking logically and rationally with a mind that is not under the influence of extreme thought patterns. You may know Christians who are so worried about losing their salvation that they have a difficult time moving forward in their Christian walk. Others are caught up in experiencing miraculous demonstrations of God’s Spirit and become distracted when they aren’t seeing such signs in their own lives. Still others are so bound by legalism that they spend all their effort trying not to break the rules their church has bound them with. They’re wearing so much spiritual fluff and have their minds so filled with distractions that they can’t effectively engage the enemy. As a result, they are easily defeated when they face spiritual battles.

Instead, Paul wants us to be dressed for battle and mentally prepared. The source of that mental preparation is knowledge of what the Bible actually teaches. The only way we can do this is to engage in regular, consistent reading and studing of God’s Word.

So, why should we always be prepared for spiritual battle? Why shouldn’t we live like the world, like those who have no clue regarding what the future holds? Because God did not put us here to receive His wrath; we will not experience the Day of the Lord. Instead we will be resurrected from the earth and granted complete salvation, that salvation which only comes from faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, out of a heart of true thanksgiving and gratitude, we should take up sides, put on the battle gear, and get ready to do battle for Him!

Application

Consider what God has done for us through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. Consider what He has promised us, both now and eternally. Given what He has already done, how can we possible just drift through life? We need to get in the race! We need to engage in battle! We need to give our all to serving Him who gave us the most precious gift we could possible get!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 5:30 – God’s Body Love

Posted on by Will

For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

Truth to Learn

Christians are part of God’s body which He loves.

Behind the Words

“For” is translated from hoti, a Greek conjunction which can be used to demonstrate something further (translated as “that”) or to show a causal relationship (translated as “because” or “for”). The latter appears to be the case here.

“Members” is translated from the Greek word melos, which refers to “a limb or other part of a body.”

The word translated “body” is soma, which (as we learned back in verse twenty-eight) can refer to “a physical body” or to “any organized whole made up of parts or members.”

The phrase “of His flesh and of His bones” does not appear in some of the better Greek texts and probably should be omitted.

Meaning Explained

In order to fully understand this verse, we have to go back to verse twenty-five. In that verse we were told that a husband’s love for his wife is to be the same kind of love that Christ has for the church. That love was demonstrated at the cross, where Jesus sacrificed His life in order to sanctify (set-apart) and cleanse His bride (the church). Then, Paul identified the love of a man for his wife as the same as that which we all have for our own body. The love for our own body is demonstrated in the way we provide for nourishment and comfort, “just as the Lord does for the church.”

Paul starts off today’s verse with hoti, showing the cause, or reason, for Christ’s loving care for us. It is because we are part of His body that our Lord and Savior provides for our nourishment and comfort.

A husband’s love for his wife is to be like the love that Christ has for His bride (the church.) But Jesus’ bride is also His body. In a very real sense, the members of the church are physical members of Christ’s body. Christ is the head of the body, He directs and instructs us, but we are the ones who do the work of the ministry. Some members of the church are specifically gifted to reach out to those outside the body, while others are specifically gifted to minister to the health of the body. This is the same as our physical bodies. Some parts of our body (the arms and legs, for instance) perform work directed outside the body. Other parts of our body (internal organs, for instance) perform work directed within the body to keep the body healthy.

“But I thought we were talking about the love of a husband for his wife?” you might ask. Yes, we are, but one of the characteristics of Paul’s teaching is that he often intermingles the teaching of two subjects into one. Here he is teaching about what God expects of a husband in the marriage relationship, but he is also teaching something about the relationship between us and our Lord.

God loved us enough to sacrifice for us, to give us eternal life. But His love doesn’t stop there. He loves us as His own body, providing for our nourishment and comfort on a daily basis.

Application

Do you sometimes feel like God is distant and that He doesn’t care about what’s happening to you? Think again, my friend. You are part of His body, which He dearly loves and cares for.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Romans 12:4 – Sacrificial Body Parts

Posted on by Will

Romans 12:4 – Sacrificial Body Parts

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,

Truth to Learn

We are to function in the body of Christ as He chooses.

Behind the Words

Paul once again starts off the verse with “For” indicating that this and the following verse are closely linked to the previous verse.

The Greek word translated “as” is kathaper, which is an adverb made up of katha, meaning “as” and per, meaning “very” or “very much.” Though this translates rather awkwardly into English as “very much as,” the notion in Greek is that there is about to be a comparison of two things that are very much like each other. He describes the first of these two things in this verse and the second one in the next verse.

The word translated “members” is the Greek word melos, which means “a limb or other body part.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has just told us not to “over think” ourselves. That is, we are not to think of ourselves as more important or more elevated than we really are. After all, we are only what we are because God has made us thus. He now goes on to show us that our importance, yea our very identity, exists in relation to the body of Christ, the church. Paul uses the metaphor of a physical body to show this.

He tells us, “we have many members in one body.” In other words, there are many different body parts in the body of Christ. In the second part of this verse Paul states that all these body parts don’t have the same function. Each part is important to the health of the entire body in a different way.

Each one of us has a body that is made up of a whole bunch of parts; arms, legs, head, spine, eyes, skin, liver, mouth, heart, sweat glands, nasal mucous, finger nails, etc. Some of these are more attractive than others and some are more obvious than others. Some we don’t even notice until they go into hyperactive mode, and then we tend to dislike them because they produce unpleasant sensations. But – they are ALL very necessary and we would be handicapped without any one of them. The same is true of the body of Christ.

This is the crux of what Paul is going to be talking about in the next 12 verses. We each have a place in the body of Christ and God has individually gifted each one of us for our unique function with spiritual gifts. But before we get wrapped up in the discussions about spiritual gifts, let’s remember how Paul started this out.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

There is no use in continuing the discussion about spiritual gifts if we are not first, totally submitted to our Lord Jesus Christ and totally committed to serving Him in the position and capacity that He has chosen for us! If we have offered ourselves as living sacrifices then we no longer have a say in how God chooses to use us.

Application

Have you offered yourself up to God to be used in whatever manner He determines? Are you a living sacrifice, or are you still in control of your own life?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:13 – Service Honors

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Romans 11:13 – Service Honors

For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

Truth to Learn

Service to God is a great privilege and an honor, which should humble us now and forever.

Behind the Words

This verse starts off with the word “For” which is translated from the Greek word gar. However, there is significant evidence in favor of the Greek word de, meaning “and” or “but” rather than gar.

The word translated “magnify” is the Greek word doxadzō, (from which we get our word doxology) which means, “to consider glorious or full of honor.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses Paul said that the gospel message has gone out to the Gentiles because of the stumbling of the Jews. He has been speaking about the Jews and he knows that those who hear his message will become more focused on the problems of the Jews than on their own relationship with God and responsibility to serve Him.

So, he is about to tell the Gentiles that he is sharing this with them for a couple of purposes. The first is to provoke his fellow Jews to jealousy as he will point out in the next verse. The other purpose is to warn the Gentile Christians not to be too complacent and proud, because their salvation is a gift just as the salvation of the Jews is a gift, as he will point out later in this chapter.

But he now explains why he is making such statements directly to the Gentile believers. It is because Paul was called specifically to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. This is evident by what God said to Ananias in Acts 9:15 when God sent him to place his hands on Paul (then called Saul) to restore his sight. When Ananias resisted God’s call, claiming Saul to be a persecutor of the church, God said:

Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

In the current verse Paul then says, “I magnify my ministry.” This is a much misunderstood statement. Paul is not bragging about his ministry, but is saying that he considers his calling as the Apostle of the Gentiles both a great honor and a great responsibility. He says that he believes that the calling which he has received is one of great importance and as such he will not rest until he has fulfilled it completely. Paul is not claiming to be proud of his ministry. He is humbled by the high calling to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Application

Is that how you feel about the ministry that God has called you to? Do you know what ministry God has called you to? As part of the body of Christ, we each have a responsibility (a calling). You have not been saved just to spend eternity in Heaven. You have been saved to serve, and you should be serving in the responsibility to which you have been called. If you are serving in the body of Christ simply because you have been asked to do something, perhaps you should pray and ask God if you are serving where He wants you to serve.

When we are serving where God wants us, as Paul did, we will see our service as a great honor and we will glorify God in it!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 10:2 – Zeal for God

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Romans 10:2 – Zeal for God

For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

Truth to Learn

Zeal and devotion are good if they are not misplaced.

Behind the Words

Paul starts off this verse with “For I bear them witness.” This is translated from the Greek words marturō gar. The Greek word gar is a primary particle which assigns a reason. Hence it is usually translated as “for.” This particular word is always post positive; that is, it always appears after the word to which it applies. The Greek word marturō is the word from which we get our English word martyr. It means “to be a witness.”

“Zeal” is from the Greek word dzēlos, which literally refers to “heat.” Figuratively, it is a reference to the heat of a person’s passion. Thus it is often translated as “zeal.”

The word translated “knowledge” is epiginōskō, which is made up of epi, meaning “on or upon” and ginōskō, which means “to know, to perceive, or to be aware of.” Hence epiginōskō literally means “to know upon.” That is, to perceive and understand based on the facts.

Meaning Explained

Paul is now declaring the reason why he is desirous of seeing all of Israel saved, while at the same time declaring the reason why they aren’t all saved. He tells us, “For I am a witness of the fact that they (his fellow Jews) have a zeal for God.” His witness is driven by the fact that not only was he that way himself, but he has personally known many devout Jews who were earnestly seeking after God and His righteousness.

The problem, according to Paul, is that they have been seeking after the righteousness of God in the wrong way. It hasn’t been “according to knowledge,” he says; that is to say, they haven’t recognized or understood the proper way to attain God’s righteousness because they didn’t understand the proper way.

As part of his calling from God, Paul is declaring the facts of salvation through the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He wants them to have knowledge of their Savior so that they might accept the truth and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul knows that many of his fellow Jews are ignorant of the truth. Because of that ignorance, even though they are very passionate about God and His righteousness, they are going about it all wrong.

Application

There are many who call themselves Christian today who are very passionate about God. But instead of seeking God through faith, they are trying to earn His favor. Some would call them devout, but their devotion is to their church or to living up to some set of standards. Some of them even believe that they can reach a point of sanctification in which they no longer sin. That, however, is a works oriented religion; it is not walking by faith.

Being zealous is a good thing. Being devoted to a good cause or to a church is wonderful. But it’s not the way of salvation. Salvation only comes through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Only through living by faith can we please the One who is our Heavenly Father. And we can only live by faith if we have knowledge of the truth. That’s why it is so important that we study the Bible!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 8:31 – Powerful Loving Father

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Romans 8:31- Powerful Loving Father

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Truth to Learn

God is powerful and is watching over us, His children.

Behind the Words

“For” is translated from huper, which primarily means “over” or “above.” Figuratively, however, it means “for” in the sense of protection, care, or favor.

The word “against” is from kata, primarily meaning “down upon.”  So, I suppose we could translate the second half of this verse as, “If God is over us, who can come down upon us?”

Meaning Explained

Before we go on, take a few minutes and read through the entire eighth chapter of Romans up to this verse. This chapter is like a trip up the side of a volcano in which the sides get steeper (as the theology gets more personal) until we reach the rim of the volcano in verse thirty-one. Between this and the remainder of this chapter, we see an eruption of the glorious benefits of being an adopted child of God. God’s love and God’s blessings to us just burst forth in these remaining verses.

Paul starts off this eruption with a couple of rhetorical questions. The first is, “What then shall we say to these things?” In this question Paul is challenging all of us to take stock of what he has been telling us in this chapter, namely:

  • There is no condemnation to those of us who are in Christ Jesus. We have been given the righteousness of Christ.
  • The Holy Spirit of God lives within us and gives spiritual life to our mortal bodies.
  • This Spirit has freed us from the bondage of sin and we have been adopted by God. We are now His children.
  • We are heirs of God Almighty.
  • But, as joint heirs with Jesus Christ, we will also suffer in this world just as He did.
  • However, this suffering can’t even be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us at the end of this age.
  • All creation groans under the curse of sin, expectantly waiting for the end of the age when we will be glorified.
  • The knowledge that this glorious future awaits us enables us to endure our present suffering.
  • In the midst of this suffering, the Holy Spirit is our prayer partner, praying for us in ways we can’t even comprehend.
  • In spite of our suffering, we know that God will produce good in us through this suffering.
  • God completely knows us.
  • God has chosen us as His adopted children.
  • God has already declared us to be as righteous as Christ.
  • God will give us glory like Christ has.

The second rhetorical question is, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” The answer obviously is, “No one!”

Application

In light of all of these wonderful things, it is obvious that God loves each one of us and is a loving father to all of us. And just like a neighbor kid claiming that his dad is bigger, or stronger, or smarter than yours, Paul knows that our Father is greater than anyone or anything that may stand against us. Therefore, be courageous because “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

And this is just the beginning of Paul’s exciting volcanic eruption.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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