advantage – Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: advantage

Romans 3:1 – The Profit Statement

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Will

What superiority then has the Jew, or what is the advantage of circumcision?

Truth to Learn

Though we are special in God’s eyes, we need to be humble.

Behind the Words

The word translated “superiority” is perisos which is based on peri, meaning “around” or “above.” Perisos refers to “that which is beyond, above, over, or superior.” Hence, we have translated this “superiority.”

“Advantage” is from the Greek word ōpheleia, referring to “a profit, an increase, or an advantage.” So Paul is really asking, “What is the advantage of being circumcised?”

Meaning Explained

Paul has just finished telling the Jewish Christians in Rome that the real test of Judaism is the internal attitude, not outward physical or ancestral indicators. He will now carry on his discourse of justification by faith. First, however, he needs to answer some objections that might be made against what he has just said about Jews.

Jews have historically considered themselves superior because they were the keepers of God’s word in the Tanakh (our Old Testament), consisting of the Torah (five books of Moses), the Neviym (the prophets), and the Ketuvim (writings). They also believed themselves special because, through Abraham, their circumcision is s sign of the covenant that God has made with them. In the next verse Paul will, in fact, even affirm these facts. The Jewish people could even refer to the Scriptures to show that God also considered them special and different from all others:

Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help and He who is the sword of your excellency! Your enemies are subdued for you, and you shall walk on their high places. (Deuteronomy 33:29)

And you shall become to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:6)

As a result, the early Christians, who were predominantly converted Jews, believed themselves to be better than even their unsaved fellow countrymen. Paul is not trying to tell these Jewish Christians that their heritage and faith in God are wrong. Instead, he is telling them that their justification before God is not wrapped up in obeying a set of laws or ceremonial practices.

Based on what Paul has just said, a Jewish Christian might well reply, “But, if the Gentiles can attain righteousness apart from being a Jew and apart from circumcision, then what benefit is there in being a Jew or of being circumcised?” In anticipation of these questions, Paul here rhetorically states these very objections. In the next few verses he will answer these questions.

Application

Once again, we need to apply what Paul was saying to these Jewish Christians of the first century church to our own lives. We are no better than any unsaved person living around us today. We are sinners just like they are. We are guilty and deserve the same eternal torment as they will receive. The only difference between us and them is that the blood of Christ has been applied to our account. Our debt has been paid! Praise be to God for His mercy and grace!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 4:6 – Avoid The Avenger

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Will

that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

Truth to Learn

Don’t deceive, either in business or in marriage.

Behind the Words

The word translated “take advantage” is huperbainō, which is made up of huper, meaning “over” or “beyond” and bainō, meaning “to go.” Thus it means “to go beyond (what is right)” or “to go too far.”

“Defraud” is translated from pleonekteō. This word is made up of pleiōn, which means “more in quantity, number, or quality” and a form of echō, meaning “to have.” As used in the New Testament, pleonekteō properly means “to have more than someone else.” Through usage it has come to mean “to have an advantage over someone else,” then to mean “to take advantage of someone else” or “to take something by means of fraud.”

The word “matter” is from pragma, which means “a business matter” or “a deed.” In the Greek text, it is written as tō pragmati, meaning “the matter,” that is, the particular matter under discussion (sex with someone other than one’s marriage partner).

Ekdikos is the Greek word translated “avenger.” It is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and dikē, meaning “justice.” Ekdikos refers to “one who executes justice,” that is, “one who gets revenge” or “one who punishes.”

Meaning Explained

There are two main interpretations of this verse. Some say that it is a continuation of Paul’s teaching about fornication (sex with someone other than one’s marriage partner.) Others claim that Paul is now talking about business matters in general.

Those who hold to the latter interpretation explain that Paul is teaching the wrong of transgressing the bounds of justice and cheating, or taking unfair advantage, of someone in a business transaction. This could be in the form of tricking someone into purchasing something for more than it is really worth or intentionally violating a contract in order to gain at the expense of the other party in the contract. Clearly, this is not the behavior that God expects from His children, and Paul warns that God will execute revenge against any Christian who conducts business in this manner.

Notice, however, that Paul refers to such action in “the matter,” not in “a matter.” Therefore, it is clear that he is referring to the matter currently being spoken of (fornication). He says that no one should “go beyond what is right” regarding sexual relations. It is right that a married man and woman should enjoy the sexual act which God approves of, and it is wrong to go beyond the bounds of marriage and engage in sexual relations with anyone else. He also says that it is wrong to take advantage of someone else, that is, taking advantage of someone else’s wife.

Whichever interpretation is correct, Paul makes it clear that the one committing the fraud should expect that God will stand on the side of the one being wronged.

Application

Whether in the sanctity of the marriage bed or business transactions, God will take vengeance against the evil doer.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 3:1 – The Profit Statement

Posted on October 14, 2009 by admin

Romans 3:1

What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

Truth to Learn

Though we are special in God’s eyes, we need to be humble.

Behind the Words

The word translated “advantage” is perisos which is based on peri, meaning “around” or “above.” Perisos refers to “that which is beyond, above, over, or superior.” I think a better translation of this word, in this case, would be “superiority.”

“Profit” is from the Greek word ōpheleia, referring to “a profit, an increase, or an advantage.” So Paul is really asking, “What is the advantage of being circumcised?”

Meaning Explained

Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places. (Deuteronomy 33:29)

And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:6)

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to: