Tag: receive

2 Thessalonians 2:10 – Unrighteous Deception

Posted on by Will

and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Truth to Learn

The world ruler during the Tribulation will be a great deceiver.

Behind the Words

The word “unrighteousness” is from adikia, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and dikē, meaning “that which is right or just.” Thus, adikia means “not right” or “not just.”

Apatē is the Greek word translated “deception.” It refers to that which is deceitful or a delusion (something that is perceived despite strong evidence to the contrary).

“Perish” is from the Greek verb apollumi, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and ollumi, meaning “to destroy.” Therefore, apollumi means “to completely destroy.” The word does not imply complete annihilation (cessation of being), but physical destruction.

The word “receive” is translated from the verb dechomai, which means “to take to oneself” or “to deliberately and readily accept something offered.”

“Saved” is translated from sodzō, which means “to preserve safe from danger, loss, or destruction.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has been teaching the Christians in Thessalonica about the Day of the Lord. False teachers had told them that this day of God’s judgment against the “permanent earth dwellers” had already arrived. In response to that, Paul explained that the time of God’s wrath would not happen until two specific events occurred. The first is the apostasia, either a reference to a great “falling away” from true faith or the rapture of the church. The second event is the revealing of “the lawless one,” the antichrist.

He taught that this “lawless one” would become evident because of great signs and miraculous deeds which will be performed through the power of our great adversary, Satan. Paul now gives some more details about how this future world ruler will become evident.

The antichrist will be a great deceiver who, like a modern day illusionist, will use deception to convince people that he is righteous. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:4, he will declare himself to be a god, and the great signs and wonders that he and his false prophet perform will convince many that he really is a god. To a Bible believing Christian, this seems hard to believe. We know that there is only one true God, but those who reject the truth taught in the Bible will readily accept this imposter for what he claims to be.

True Christians not only believe the truth about God and His Son, Jesus Christ, but they have a love of the truth taught in Scripture. We love to read our Bibles and we love to learn the truth about God’s desire to have a personal relationship with us. But, the unbelievers in the last days will not have this love of the truth and will be easily deceived. As a result, they will not receive salvation, but will, instead, perish in the lake of fire for all eternity.

Application

Do you love the truth of God’s Word? If so, hold fast to sound Biblical teaching. If not, prepare yourself to be easily deceived.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Thessalonians 1:6 – Affliction and Joy

Posted on by Will

And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

Truth to Learn

Committed Christian living will result in affliction – and joy.

Behind the Words

 “Followers” is translated from mimētēs, from which we get our English word “mimic.” It means “someone who mimics, imitates, or follows the example of someone else.”

The words “having received” are from dechomai, meaning “to receive.” It is very similar in meaning to the verb lambanō except that lambanō implies more of an active participation (to take to oneself) while dechomai implies more of a subjective or passive participation (to receive to oneself).

Thlipsis is the Greek word translated “affliction.” It is derived from the verb thlibō, meaning “to crush” or “to squeeze.” Thlipsis refers to “pressure, trouble, affliction, or distress.”

“Joy” is translated from chara, which is derived from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.” Therefore, chara refers to “joy, rejoicing, or gladness.”

Meaning Explained

As we mentioned yesterday, belief in the good news about Jesus Christ is the substance of our salvation. The whole discussion of election versus “free will” becomes a moot point at the moment of conversion. It doesn’t matter whether you believe that God chose or man chooses; what matters is that a lost sinner becomes a child of God and is credited with the righteousness of Christ at the moment of faith.

Then, at the end of yesterday’s verse Paul said, “as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” Paul did not expect the people to whom he preached to pay him for what he did. Instead, he worked as a tent maker to pay for his own expenses. He, along with Silvanus and Timothy, lived exemplary lives in spite of the persecution they faced from the local Jews, who even traveled to Berea to harass Paul after he began preaching there. It is important to note that Paul’s ministry didn’t stop when people got saved. He simply switched from evangelist mode to teacher mode. He taught them the fundamental truths of how to live a life committed to God, and he lived the kind of life that he taught about.

As a result, we learn in today’s verse that the Thessalonians became imitators of Paul and his companions. They didn’t just listen to their teaching, smile politely, say a few amens, and then continue living as they always had. They changed. They put into practice what they were taught, using as their living examples Paul and his companions. And what did they get for it? They received the same persecution that Paul continually endured. We are told here that it wasn’t just a little teasing that they received, they suffered “much affliction.”

Those who afflicted them did so intentionally to make them suffer, but they didn’t complain; instead, they endured it with joy in their hearts. That’s committed Christian living.

Application

Christ told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer …” (John 16:33b)  Rather than causing us sadness, persecution and hardship should cause us to be as joyous as the Thessalonians, particularly if it has come upon us as a result of our living our Christian faith. Are you willing to suffer for Him? Think about how much He gave for you!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:8 – Rewards, Temporal or Eternal?

Posted on by Will

knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Truth to Learn

Living for God will produce eternal rewards from God.

Behind the Words

“Knowing” is from the Greek verb eidō, which means “to have seen with perception.” Thus, it is often expressed in English as “to know.” Here it is expressed as a perfect participle, indicating past completed action (having seen) with an ongoing effect (therefore I know) where the emphasis is on the effect.

The phrase “whatever good anyone does” is really a third class conditional clause in Greek. A literal translation might be, “each one if he should do anything good.” The three conditional classes of Koinē Greek are: 1st class (assumption that the “if” statement is true), 2nd class (assumption that the “if” statement is false), and 3rd class (a true conditional in which no assumption is made about the “if” clause).

“He will receive” is translated from the Greek verb komidzō, meaning “to obtain” or “to acquire.” When used as it is in this verse it means “to receive in return for something done.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has taught us that in our jobs we are to be obedient to our bosses, performing our duties with good thoughts. And, we are not to work just for show, but with a singular focus as if we were working directly for God. Now he tells us why we are to work this way: because we know that whatever good we do will come back to us from God.

On the surface this sounds like we are to be selfish, only working for what we can get for ourselves. However, this verse keenly demonstrates the difference between an earthly “now” focus and a heavenly “forever” focus. God made us with desires. When these desires are focused on what we want in the material world they can lead to sin:

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:14-15)

However, if our desires are focused on what God wants us to do while on this earth, we are promised rewards in heaven:

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

God wants our entire life to be focused on Him. Whether it is in our paycheck-earning job, our ministry, our worship, our giving, or our interactions within our family and within the church, God wants us to do it all for Him. If we give our all to Him while on this earth, He will give us eternal rewards.

Application

We all have a choice in this life to live for ourselves or to live for God. Living for ourselves may produce fame and fortune, which will vanish one day. Living for God will result in eternal, heavenly rewards from Him. Which would you rather have? It’s all a matter of where your life focus is.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Romans 16:2 – Help The Helper

Posted on by Will

Romans 16:2 – Help The Helper

that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

Truth to Learn

Helping other Christians is a Christ-like thing to do.

Behind the Words

The word “receive” is translated from prosdechomai, which is made up of pros, meaning “unto or toward,” and dechomai, meaning “to accept or receive.” This word literally means “to receive unto oneself.”

“In a manner worthy” is translated from the adverb axiōs. This is based on the word axios (short “o”), meaning “worthy.” Thus, axiōs (long “o”) means “worthily” or “in a worthy manner.”

“Assist” is from paristanō, made up of para, meaning “beside or near” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Literally, this word means “to stand with” or “to stand beside.” It is used in a courtroom setting referring to the one who presents a case or who provides a witness.

“Business” is from pragma, which is derived from the verb prassō, meaning “to do repeatedly” or “to practice.” Pragma refers to an action or a deed that is done repeatedly or constantly.

The word translated “helper” is prostatis, which is made up of pro, meaning “toward” or “before” and histēmi, meaning “to stand” or “to set in place.” In secular Greek writing of the time, this is the word used to refer to a “patron,” one who supports or takes care of another.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that Paul is talking about a woman named Phoebe, a deaconess in the church of Cenchrea (near Corinth). It is generally believed that Phoebe is the one who delivered this letter to the church in Rome. And, it appears that she was a wealthy women, due to the fact that Paul presents her as having been a helper (patroness) of many people, including Paul himself. Apparently, she provided financial support for Paul in his ministry. From Paul’s use of the words paristanō and pragma we might infer that Phoebe went to Rome on some legal or other business matter.

Whatever Phoebe’s reason for going to Rome, Paul instructs the church there to receive her as a fellow Christian worthy of respect. We are all aware that businesses today often use symbols of Christianity (like the sign of the fish) to attract Christians as potential customers. Usually it is legitimate, but sometimes, based on the way they do business, it appears to be a marketing ploy. Paul’s comments to the church in Rome indicate that Phoebe was a genuinely devout Christian and that they should willingly assist her with whatever help she might need. She has demonstrated her own unselfishness by helping many others, and now it is time for members of the body of Christ to show unselfishness toward her.

Application

As Christians, we are often asked to provide help for fellow Christians in need. For some of us it’s difficult to do. For others it’s easy. For all of us, its part of being Christ-like.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 14:1 – Needless Arguing

Posted on by Will

Romans 14:1 – Needless Arguing

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

Truth to Learn

Infighting should not be a characteristic of a Christian church.

Behind the Words

The word “Receive” is from the Greek word proslambanō, which is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and lambanō, meaning “to take.” This we see that this word means “to take to oneself” or “to receive.”

“Weak” is from astheneō, made up of the negative particle a and sthenos, meaning “strength.” The root meaning of astheneō, therefore, is “to be without strength.”

The word “disputes” is from diakrisis. This is made up of dia, meaning “through” or indicating separation and krinō, meaning “to distinguish” or “to judge.” Hence, diakrisis refers to distinguishing or judging through something. By application it means to scrutinize thoughts or beliefs by thorough discussion.

“Doubtful things” is translated from dialogismos, from the verb dialogidzomai, which is made up of dia, meaning “through” and logidzomai, meaning “to reckon or reason.” Thus we see that dialogismos refers to a “thorough reasoning” or a belief that has been established by such reasoning.

Meaning Explained

You will recall that the Christian church at Rome was made up largely of converted Jews. Under the Jewish laws, they were forbidden from eating certain foods, and they were forbidden to work on Saturday (the Jewish Sabbath). As a Christian, however, these legal restrictions had been lifted. But just as Peter had a difficult time accepting Gentiles into the faith before receiving direct revelation from God indicating that it was OK (see Acts chapter 10), so these former Jews found it difficult to accept that Christians did not have to observe the same restrictions that they formerly were bound by.

The issue of what can and can’t be eaten is the issue that Paul is about to address. He starts off by telling the fellowship in Rome that it is good to receive Christians who are weak in the faith. These are people who are genuine converts but who are either new converts or they have not had the privilege of sitting under the teaching of a mature Christian like the apostle Paul. We need to welcome people like this so that they can grow in faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, Paul tells the church to accept these people into the congregation but not to do so just to have a theological discussion about what is proper to eat and what is not. Let me point out that Paul is NOT saying that it is improper to have theological discussions, for this is right and even necessary. What he is saying is that it is not right to have arguments about items of minor importance. Disputing has become a significant issue within the body of Christ. So much so, that church splits are more the rule than the exception. Some disputes may be necessary, but most are frivolous and detrimental.

Application

I remember being in a church that spent considerable time in a business meeting arguing about whether or not there should be carpeting in the sanctuary. It became a heated discussion and caused hard feelings among everyone in attendance; it was not edifying and did not serve to build-up the body of Christ. Instead of such trivial arguing, let’s all keep our focus on Him!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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