Tag: ginomai

Ephesians 5:1 – Imitators, Not Actors

Posted on by Will

Then become imitators of God as beloved children.

Truth to Learn

We need to live the part that God has given us.

 

Behind the Words

“Then” is translated from oun, which indicates a connection of two thoughts, sometimes indicating an affect from the previous thought, but often just a link between the two. It is sometimes translated as “Therefore” and sometimes as “Then.” I believe the best translation in this case is “Then.”

“Become” is the command form of ginomai, which we saw in yesterday’s verse. It means “become.” The implication is that we are not simply to stay the same, we are to move forward and actively become more like our loving God.

The word translated “imitators” is mimētēs, from which we get our English word “mimic,” meaning “to imitate or copy in action and speech.”

 “Beloved” is translated from agapētos, which is based on the verb agapaō, meaning “to love with a perfect, self-sacrificing love.” Agapētos refers to someone who is loved with that kind of love. All Christians are loved by God with this perfect, self-sacrificing love.

 

Meaning Explained

Nearly everyone has someone to whom they look with respect and admiration, in many cases wishing they could be just like them. Some people go so far as to imitate the clothing style of the one they admire, combing their hair the same way, and even talking like their idol. In fact, there are those who go to the extreme, having plastic surgery so that they even physically resemble the one whom they revere so much. Sort of crazy, huh? The Apostle Paul tells us that being imitators is a good thing, as long as the one we’re imitating is God.

In chapter four of this letter to the Christians in the church of Ephesus, Paul instructed them (and us) to take off the old man and put on the new man. In effect, he told us to quit behaving like our sin nature and begin behaving like our new nature. He even went so far as to instruct us in some of the characteristics of the old man (things we are to avoid) and some of the characteristics of the new man (things we are to do). Now, he gives us some practical insight into how we can put on the new man.

We’ve all seen an actor who, even though we know his or her real identity, portrays a character so completely that we perceive the character they’re playing rather than the actor. And, when we think of that actor, we often think of him or her as one of the characters they have portrayed. In reality, however, we all know that they are just acting like someone else; they’re not really the character they imitate. The Greek word for a professional actor is hupokritēs (hypocrite), indicating someone who is acting in a role that is not who he or she really is.

Unlike professional actors, we need to become more than just pretenders. God doesn’t want us to be hypocrites and just pretend that we’re His children. We are His children! And He wants us to live like His children are supposed to live. While professional actors portray the character on the outside, we need to become the character on the inside.

 

Application

“I don’t want to be a phony, acting like someone I’m not,” you may say. Well, you don’t have to. If you are a born-again Christian, then you are a child of God. By learning how to think and behave like a child of God you become the new character that God has made you to be. If you learn the part well enough, others will see God in you. Now, that’s something to think about!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:32 – Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness

Posted on by Will

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Truth to Learn

Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are of vital importance within the church.

 

Behind the Words

The verb “be” is translated from ginomai, meaning “to cause to be” or “to become.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood indicating a command for us to “become kind and tenderhearted!”

“Kind” is the translation of chrēstos, which is derived from the verb chraomai, meaning “to furnish what is needed” or “to treat well.” Chrēstos, when used of people, means “useful toward others, that is, good-natured, gentle, or kind.”

The word “tenderhearted” is translated from eusplagchnos. This word is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and splagchnon, meaning “intestine” or “bowel.” The Greeks believed that the intestines were the source of emotions. Thus, “good intestined,” as eusplagchnos literally means, refers to the characteristic of having good feelings, especially compassion, for others.

“Forgiving” is from charidzomai, which is derived from charis, meaning “grace” or “a favor freely given.” Charidzomai means “to be gracious or to forgive someone.”

The first occurrence of “one another” is from allēlōn, meaning “one another” or “each other.” The second occurrence of “one another” is translated from heautou, meaning “yourselves.”

 

Meaning Explained

Back in verse twenty-two the Apostle Paul told us to “put off … the old man,” that is “quit living under the influence of your sin nature.” Then, in verse twenty-four he told us to “put on the new man,” the new nature that God created for us. Since then, Paul has been telling us what it means to live under the influence of this new nature. Yesterday, he instructed us to do away with bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and all badness.

Earlier we learned that we all should be using our spiritual gifts in the building up of the body of Christ. In today’s verse, Paul is not talking about specific gifts, but general attitudes that should replace those things he told us to stop doing yesterday. The first thing he tells us is that we should be kind, gentle, or useful to each other. The second thing is to be tenderhearted to each other; that is, we should demonstrate compassionate care for each other. If every church member were to regularly demonstrate kindness and compassion to everyone else in the church, no one would ever want to leave.

The third thing Paul tells us in today’s verse is that we should be forgiving. After all, he says, each one of us has been forgiven so much by God through the blood of Christ that we should willingly forgive others for what they have done to us. But notice that Paul used the pronoun heautou (yourselves) in reference to forgiveness. We need to be freely forgiving of others in the church, but we also need to be freely forgiving of ourselves. God has forgiven us, so we should too.

Keep in mind that forgiveness, as God defines it, does not simply mean saying “That’s OK” or “I forgive you” to the one asking forgiveness. It means to “throw away” the offense (as far as the East is from the West), which means you can no longer hold on to it. It is discarded and forgotten – completely!

 

Application

Of the three attitudes that Paul admonishes us to exhibit in today’s verse, forgiveness may be the most important. Let’s all commit to be completely forgiving of others this week, and let’s be forgiving of ourselves as well.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:13 – A New Covenant

Posted on by Will

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Truth to Learn

God has made a new covenant for us.

 

Behind the Words

“Now” is translated from nuni, which is a strengthened form of nun, meaning “now.” The strengthened form adds emphasis on the present.

“Once” is from the Greek word pote, which has several nuances of meaning and is used of both the past and the future. It can mean “at some time,” “one time or another,” “when,” “formerly,” or “at last.”

The Greek word translated “far off” is makran, which is derived from makros, meaning “long.” Makran means “a great distance away.”

The words “have been brought” are from the verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” Thus, Paul is really saying, “you … have become near.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul’s current train of thought began back in verse eleven where he reminded us that previously we were Gentiles in the flesh and we were called “the uncircumcision” by the Jews. So what’s the big deal about circumcision? Back in Genesis chapter fifteen, Abraham was declared to be righteous because he believed God’s promise that the Messiah would be one of his descendants. Fifteen years later (Genesis 17) he still had no children by his wife Sarah. At that time God promised him again that He would be a father of many nations, telling him that in one year Sarah would give birth to a son. He then made another covenant with Abraham, promising him that He would be God to Abraham’s descendants and that He would give him and his descendants the land of Canaan. This covenant required Abraham and his entire household to be circumcised.

The fact that we were not descendants of Abraham means that we aren’t part of the Commonwealth of Israel. Therefore, we were not included in the promise of the coming Messiah or the promise that Jehovah would be our God. And, as a result, as Paul said in verse twelve, we were without hope. Now that Abraham’s descendant, the Messiah, has come and shed His blood as payment for our sins, things have changed. We, who were aliens and far away from the promises and covenants, have been brought near by a new covenant. Luke recorded the following words of our Lord at the Last Supper:

This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20)

In other words, by shedding His blood, he was making a new covenant. And, in the book of Hebrews we are told:

In that He says, "a new covenant," He has made the first obsolete.” (Hebrews 8:13)

Because of this new covenant, sealed with Christ’s blood, we who were once far off have now become near to God.

 

Application

If you believe that the blood of Christ saved you from your sins, then God has declared you to be righteous. Because you are righteous, you can stand (actually, we will sit) in His presence. All who refuse to believe are unrighteous and can’t stand (or sit) in His presence; they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, separated from God for all eternity. This is referred to as “the second death.” Christians will not experience the second death. Instead, we will have life because of the new covenant in His blood. Praise be to God!

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Truth to Learn

God has made a new covenant for us.

 

Behind the Words

“Now” is translated from nuni, which is a strengthened form of nun, meaning “now.” The strengthened form adds emphasis on the present.

“Once” is from the Greek word pote, which has several nuances of meaning and is used of both the past and the future. It can mean “at some time,” “one time or another,” “when,” “formerly,” or “at last.”

The Greek word translated “far off” is makran, which is derived from makros, meaning “long.” Makran means “a great distance away.”

The words “have been brought” are from the verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” Thus, Paul is really saying, “you … have become near.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul’s current train of thought began back in verse eleven where he reminded us that previously we were Gentiles in the flesh and we were called “the uncircumcision” by the Jews. So what’s the big deal about circumcision? Back in Genesis chapter fifteen, Abraham was declared to be righteous because he believed God’s promise that the Messiah would be one of his descendants. Fifteen years later (Genesis 17) he still had no children by his wife Sarah. At that time God promised him again that He would be a father of many nations, telling him that in one year Sarah would give birth to a son. He then made another covenant with Abraham, promising him that He would be God to Abraham’s descendants and that He would give him and his descendants the land of Canaan. This covenant required Abraham and his entire household to be circumcised.

The fact that we were not descendants of Abraham means that we aren’t part of the Commonwealth of Israel. Therefore, we were not included in the promise of the coming Messiah or the promise that Jehovah would be our God. And, as a result, as Paul said in verse twelve, we were without hope. Now that Abraham’s descendant, the Messiah, has come and shed His blood as payment for our sins, things have changed. We, who were aliens and far away from the promises and covenants, have been brought near by a new covenant. Luke recorded the following words of our Lord at the Last Supper:

This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20)

In other words, by shedding His blood, he was making a new covenant. And, in the book of Hebrews we are told:

In that He says, "a new covenant," He has made the first obsolete.” (Hebrews 8:13)

Because of this new covenant, sealed with Christ’s blood, we who were once far off have now become near to God.

 

Application

If you believe that the blood of Christ saved you from your sins, then God has declared you to be righteous. Because you are righteous, you can stand (actually, we will sit) in His presence. All who refuse to believe are unrighteous and can’t stand (or sit) in His presence; they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, separated from God for all eternity. This is referred to as “the second death.” Christians will not experience the second death. Instead, we will have life because of the new covenant in His blood. Praise be to God!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 5:2 – Perishable Possessions

Posted on by Will

Your riches are putrefied, and your garments are moth-eaten.

Truth to Learn

Earthly possessions are perishable and soon will all be gone.

 

Behind the Words

Ploutos is the word translated “riches.” This is from the same root word as plousios, which we saw in the previous verse. It refers to “wealth” or “fullness of money and/or possessions.”

The Greek word translated “putrefied” is sēpō, which means “to putrefy or spoil.” It is the source of our English word “sepsis” or “septic.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating something that occurred at a point in time in the past with an ongoing effect, but the emphasis is on the effect.

“Garments” is translated from himation, referring to all articles of clothing.

The verb “are” is translated from a form of ginomai, meaning “to become” or “to begin to be.” The verb is expressed in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect. In other words, “your clothes have been eaten by moths and, therefore, are now moth-eaten.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the first century AD, some of the most precious possessions included grain, oil, and other things that are perishable. The rich people to whom James is speaking had stockpiled these things for their own personal satisfaction, not because they had need of them, but simply because they wanted them. As a result, these things were not being used, but were wasting away. It reminds me of the Israelites when they were wandering through the wilderness during the exodus from Egypt. Each morning God provided them with manna, which they were to gather for themselves, but they were only to gather as much as they needed for a single day. If they tried to gather more and save it for the following day, it spoiled and became rotten.

James also says that the clothing of the rich, which they had stored up, was being wasted. Throughout most of the history of mankind, having extra clothing has been a luxury. But even clothes, James says, get moth eaten if we try to store them up.

In reality, all earthly riches are perishable since we won’t be able to take them with us when we appear before the great Judge at the end of our lives. None of us can take anything with us beyond the grave. Only what we do with the things that God has provided us will have any eternal value.

This is not to say that we should never save up for the future. There have been times when God’s people have stockpiled goods, such as Joseph storing up the grain of Egypt in preparation for the famine that was coming. That’s not what James is condemning. He is speaking against the amassing of treasure for the sake of pride and arrogance, or as an attempt to make one feel secure apart from God.

It is far better to use for His glory that which God has provided us, resulting in eternal rewards, than to hoard it to ourselves and receive no earthly or eternal benefit from it at all!

 

Application

How many coats do you own? How many pairs of shoes are in your closet? How much “stuff” do you own that you seldom, if ever, use? How much food do you consume on a daily basis? How many “toys” do you own? How much money is in your checking account or your retirement account? Is God being glorified by the way you use all that He has given you?

Are all these things really yours, or are they God’s?  Ouch!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 3:1 – Responsible Teaching

Posted on by Will

My brothers, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.

Truth to Learn

Within the church, teaching carries a great responsibility and a greater judgment (good or bad) for those who teach.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “let … become” is ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” The use of the word here is in the present tense and imperative mood (command). Therefore, it could be translated as “stop becoming many teachers.”

“Teachers,” or “masters” in some Bibles, is translated from the Greek word didaskalos, which means “one who teaches or instructs.” It seems that there were many people in the early church who wanted to be looked up to as teachers.

The word “judgment” is translated from krima. This is derived from the verb krinō, literally meaning “to separate.” In the New Testament it means “to form or give an opinion after separating and considering the particulars of a case.” The noun form, used in this verse, refers to the resultant judgment that is handed down. It can refer to either a judgment of approval or a judgment of condemnation.

Meaning Explained

James has just finished talking about the works which are the evidence of faith. Now he’s going to talk about the works performed by those who teach within the church. In this particular verse he is cautioning church members not to all desire the position of teacher. In 1 John 2:16 the apostle John talks about the three types of lusts; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. This third one, the pride of life, is that desire within each of us to attain greatness and fame. Unfortunately, because the church is made up of sinful humans, this pride of life occasionally shows its ugly face within the church as well. Within the body of Christ each one of us has a function to perform. In 1Corinthians chapter twelve, the apostle Paul says that we are one body with many members, each one with a specific purpose. We can’t all be eyes, we can’t all be feet, and we can’t all be teachers.

Even though teaching is a good and necessary position within the church, James warns that those who hold the position of teacher are responsible for the content of their teaching and will receive a harsher judgment, good or bad, depending on whether or not they carry it out in a manner worthy of our Lord. A good teacher can lead people to a closer, more effective walk with God. But, a careless teacher can actually lead children of God away from that close personal fellowship that He desires with each of us.

Not only are teachers within the church responsible for the content of their teaching, they are responsible, even more so, for their actions. If good works are evidence of our salvation, then practicing what you teach is even more important for those who wear the mantle of teacher.

Application

We are all called upon at one time or another to teach and exhort less mature Christians. When such opportunities arise, we need to be careful that we do not lord it over them. What we say can have a powerful effect on others. And, we who have been called to teach need to ensure that we are being instructional and not judgmental. Remember that teaching is an honorable service, but other positions in the church are just as honorable if they are carried out with an attitude of humble service. Keep that in mind the next time you talk to one of the workers in the church nursery or the church janitor. Without these humble servants, the work of the body of Christ will be less effective. Be sure to thank them for their humble service. Serve where God has called you to serve and you will bring glory to God!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 1:24 – Absentminded Professor

Posted on by Will

for he studied himself, has gone away, and immediately forgot what kind of person he was.

Truth to Learn

Hearing or reading God’s Word will have no effect on our lives unless we put it into practice.

Behind the Words

In the previous verse we looked at the word for face. But the translation of that verse said, “natural face.” The word translated “natural” is the Greek word genesis. This is derived from the verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” Hence, James is talking about our “beginning face,” or our “birth face.” Hence, it means our “natural face.”

The word “studied” is translated from the verb katanoeō. This same word was used in the previous verse. The difference is that the tense of this verb here is aorist, meaning an action that took place at a point in time in the past. That is, “he studied.”

“Has gone away” is from the Greek word aperchomai, which means “to go away” or “to depart.” The significance here is that this word appears in the perfect tense implying past completed action with an ongoing effect, the emphasis being on the effect. He is now in a place away from the mirror.

The word translated “forgot” is epilanthanō, which is made up of epi, meaning “upon” and lanthano, meaning “to lie hidden or concealed.” The significance here, again, is that this verb is in the aorist tense implying past action; that is to say he forgot.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse James talked about the one who hears the word but does not practice it. James said he is like a person studying his face in a mirror. In this verse he finishes the simile by saying, “For he studied himself, went away, and immediately forgot what kind of person he was.”

It is good for us to read and study the Bible and to listen to preaching and teaching taken directly from God’s Word. But, if we don’t apply the word (put into practice what we read and hear), we forget what it said to us and it does us no good.

Christ himself, in the parable of the sower and the seed, said:

The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (Mark 4:14-19)

Application

Don’t let the busyness of this life, the cares of the world, or “stuff” rob us of the joy that comes from putting into practice the things we are taught in God’s Word!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 1:22 – Perfect Practice

Posted on by Will

But become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Truth to Learn

No one ever coined the phrase, “listening makes perfect.” That’s because it is only through practice that we improve on anything that we do.

Behind the Words

The word translated “become” is a form of ginomai, the basic meaning of which is “to begin to be.” This word is written here in the imperative mood indicating a command. And, the word “doers” is poiētēs, which is derived from poieō, meaning “to make something or perform something.” Poiētēs means “to be a doer or a performer.” Thus, we see that James is giving us a firm instructive command to “become people who do what the Word of God says!”

“Hearers” is translated from the Greek word akroatēs. This word is derived from the classical Greek word akroama which means, “something which is heard, such as a piece that is read, recited, played, or sung.” The implication is that it is something that is being intentionally and intently listened to.

Meaning Explained

Though my father passed away many years ago, I can still hear him saying to me as a young boy, “Don’t let my words go in one ear and out the other!” That’s probably a decent colloquialism for what James is telling us here.

James has just told us that we need to rid ourselves of evil thoughts and bad, self-serving actions and to allow the Word of God, which has been implanted in our hearts, to grow. But our faith does not grow strong without practice.

You do not become a great musician by simply reading about how to play an instrument, you must practice. But, practice does not mean simply playing through a piece once and then moving on to another (unless you are practicing musical sight-reading). It means playing the piece over and over again, paying particular attention to the nuances of the written music and the technique used to produce the sound. As the musician repeatedly plays through the music, he or she memorizes the notes and markings until the piece can be played without having to think about the specific notes on the written page.

Any Christian who wants to live the victorious Christian life and have a close fellowship with God, must cultivate the habit of reading and studying the Bible regularly. But that by itself will not produce results any more than reading about music. As we read the Word of God we need to think about it and put it into practice. We need to be aware of the nuances of God’s word just as a musician needs to be aware of the nuances of the music. And we need to practice doing it over and over again until the principles or actions become second nature to us.

Let me say that another way. Just as a musician performs music as a result of repeated practice, we must be performers of the principles given to us in the Bible by repeated practice.

Application

Hearing the Word of God is important indeed, but not nearly as important as doing what it says. James tells us that if we are only hearers of the word and not doers, we are deceiving ourselves.

Let’s put “practice being a Christian” on the top of our priority list for today, and for the rest of our lives!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 1:30 – All From God

Posted on by Will

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

Truth to Learn

Our salvation is all from God.

Behind the Words

The word translated “of” is ek, which means “out of” or “from.” It is an indication of the source of something.

“Became” is from the Greek verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be.” It is expressed in the aorist tense, passive voice, indicating that it was done to Him at a point in time in the past.

Dikaiosunē is the word translated “righteousness.” It is based on the noun dikaios, which means “just” or “righteous.” Righteousness is a description of our standing before God.

“Sanctification” is from the noun hagiasmos, from the verb hagiadzō, which means “to set apart from common use as something without blemish to be used in the service of God.”

The word “redemption” is translated from apolutrōsis. This is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and lutroō, which means “to bring a ransom for the purpose of freeing someone from captivity.” Thus, apolutrōsis means “set free as a result of a ransom having been fully paid.” We are set free from sin and its consequences because the ransom for our freedom has been fully paid by the blood of Christ.

Meaning Explained

Throughout the past six verses Paul has been talking about God’s wisdom in his choosing and calling us foolish, weak, sin-sick nobodies out of the world and into His family. He has masterfully and effectively contrasted the wisdom of the world (which in reality is utter foolishness) with the foolishness of God (which in reality is supreme wisdom). Here he makes a dramatic statement that is often missed. Paul says that God is the source of our position “in Christ Jesus.”

If you carefully study the New Testament teachings, you will find that all aspects of our salvation have their source in God. Here is a list of some of the things that we could not do, but that God has already done for us:

He willed (determined) to make us His (Ephesians 1:5)

He purposed to predestine us (Ephesians 1:11)

He predestined us to adoption as sons (Ephesians 1:5)

He chose us (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

He prepared us (Romans 9:23)

He drew us to Himself (John 6:44)

He granted us to come to Christ (John 6:65)

He saved us (Titus 3:5)

He sanctified us completely (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

He appointed us to eternal life (Acts 13:48)

He delivered us from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13)

He made us alive (Ephesians 2:5)

He poured out His Spirit on us (Titus 3:6)

He brought us forth (James 1:18)

He justified and glorified us (Romans 8:30)

He called us into His kingdom (1 Thessalonians 2:12)

Application

Seeing all that God has done for us, how can we do anything but be humbled and eternally grateful for all His work in our salvation? And given all that He has already done, how could we ever think that there is anything that we could do to nullify what God has done? Praise God and give Him the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

2 Thessalonians 2:7 – The Restraining One

Posted on by Will

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

Truth to Learn

The restraining one is probably a reference to the Holy Spirit.

Behind the Words

The word “mystery” is transliterated from the Greek noun musterion. This word is used at least twenty other times in the New Testament. In each case it describes a truth that has previously been hidden but that is now being made known.

“Lawlessness” is from anomia, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and nomos, meaning “law.” So, anomia literally means “without law” or “lawless.”

The word “already” is translated from ēdē, which is an adverb of time meaning “now,” “even now,” or “already.”

“Taken” is from the verb ginomai, meaning “to begin to be” or “to become.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating probability or possibility. Thus this should probably be translated as “should become” or “should be.”

The words “out of the way” are translated from the Greek words ek mesou. Ek means “out” or “out of” and mesou, a form of mesos, means “in the midst, either in time or position.” Therefore ek mesou means “out of the midst.”

Meaning Explained

In this current chapter, Paul has been focusing on the Day of the Lord, that period of time when God will judge the inhabitants of the earth. Back in verse three, he told us that this day will not come until the apostasia occurs and the “man of sin” is revealed. But, Paul taught us that the “man of sin,” whom the Apostle John calls “the antichrist,” will not be revealed until the restraining force is taken out of the way.

As we discussed in yesterday’s verse, we don’t know for certain what this restraining force is, but it seems reasonable to conclude that it is the Holy Spirit of God. The primary argument against such a conclusion is the fact that in yesterday’s verse it was referred to as a “restraining thing” (neuter article and verb in the Greek), whereas in today’s verse He is referred to with a masculine article and verb (literally, “the restraining one”). This is not a problem when you realize that Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit both in the neuter and the masculine. In John’s gospel, He refers to the Holy Spirit as “the helper” (neuter) and as “the spirit of truth” (neuter), but He also refers to the Holy Spirit as “He,” which is a masculine pronoun in the Greek (see John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13-14).

The “mystery of lawlessness” is probably a reference to the fact that sin and lawlessness are already present in the world, but will be revealed in full force after the restraining one is taken out of the midst. This may be a reference to the rapture, when the church and the indwelling of the Spirit are taken off the earth. Keep in mind, however, that the Holy Spirit is God, who is everywhere present at all times. We know that the Holy Spirit will still be present and active during the Tribulation because people will be saved during that terrible time, but He will not be restraining evil during that time like He is today.

Application

I firmly believe that the church will not be present for any part of the Tribulation, which is very comforting. However, that doesn’t mean our work is done. We need to be witnesses of the gospel of Christ more and more as that day approaches.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Thessalonians 2:10 – Blameless Ministers

Posted on by Will

You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;

Truth to Learn

Christians should be blameless in whatever ministry they are engaged in.

Behind the Words

The word “witnesses” is translated from martus, from which we get our English word “martyr” (someone who has given his or her life as a witness of their belief). Martus means “someone who gives testimony as a witness of some act or event.”

“Devoutly” is from hosiōs, which refers to “piety,” that is “a demonstration of obedience to God’s will and devotion to serving Him.”

Dikiōs is the Greek word translated “justly.” It is derived from dikios, meaning “that which is right or just.” Therefore dikiōs refers to “doing that which is right or just.”

“Blamelessly” is from amemptōs, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “without” or “not” and a form of the verb memphomai, meaning “to find fault.” Thus, amemptōs refers to “acting without fault or blame.”

The word “behaved” is the translation of the verb ginomai, meaning “to become” or “to be.”

Meaning Explained

Paul is continuing his defense against apparent attacks on his character and ministry while serving God among the Christians at Thessalonica. Based on his previous defensive arguments it appears that he had been accused of:

  •  Using deceptive practices to teach doctrinal error
  • Simply being “men pleasers,” using flattering words to make the people feel good so that Paul and his companions could gain material goods from them
  • Seeking their own glory and being harsh, laying heavy burdens on those to whom they ministered
  •  Being lazy while expecting the Thessalonians to provide for all their material needs

Based on the current verse, it appears that Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy had also been accused of behaving themselves improperly and dishonestly while they ministered there. In defense of this, Paul calls for his witnesses.

In the Old Testament two witnesses had to testify the same thing regarding any accusation in order to ascertain the truth (Deuteronomy 19:15). Paul is satisfying this requirement by appealing to God as well as the people in the church in Thessalonica. He says that they are witnesses to the fact that Paul and his co-workers were not only devout and obedient to God in their personal lives, but they also acted justly and blamelessly while performing their ministry. Paul’s ministry was always characterized by being obedient to God’s call on his life, and he always did what was just and right. So much so, in fact, that he could remind the people that no one could legitimately blame him for any wrongdoing.

Application

My prayer for each of you is that you perform whatever ministry God has given you in such a manner that you may be found blameless in the sight of God and of men. 

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved