Tag: amphoteros

Ephesians 2:18 – Three In One

Posted on by Will

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Truth to Learn

All three persons of the Godhead have a part in our salvation.

 

Behind the Words

“Through” is translated from the Greek preposition dia, which indeed means “through.” As in English, it can mean motion through something or it can refer to something as the instrument of action, which is how it is used in the current verse.

The word translated “both” is amphoteros. This is the comparative form of amphi, meaning “around.” It can mean either “each of two things” or “both of two things.”

“Access” is from prosagōgē, which is made up of pros, meaning “forward to” or “toward” and a form of agō, which means “to lead” or “to bring.” So, literally, prosagōgē refers to “something that has been brought near;” that is, “something or someone that has permission to draw near.”

The word “Spirit” is pneuma, which is derived from the verb pneō, which means “to breathe hard” or “to blow.” Pneuma, therefore, refers to “a current of air” or, figuratively, “a spirit.”

 

Meaning Explained

Before we get into this verse, let’s do a little review to properly set the stage for today’s verse. Paul began his current train of thought back in verse eleven, where he reminded us that we Gentiles were previously called “the uncircumcision” by the Jews. Because we were not circumcised, we were excluded from the spiritual nation of Israel, which meant that we were not included in the covenant of promise (that a Messiah would come and save Israel). Therefore, we did not have a relationship with God and we were without hope of salvation.

In fact, Paul tells us that we were far away from God. Not only were we a long way away, but there was a wall between us and the chosen nation of Israel so that we were prevented from getting near to God. And – there was hostility between us and the children of Israel. At that time, the only way for a person to get close to God was to adopt the Jewish faith and become circumcised, thereby committing to be bound by all the requirements of the law.

God, in His infinite wisdom, however, has made a way for us to be at peace with our Jewish brothers and to be at peace with God. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, the wall has been broken down, we have peace with our Jewish brothers, and we have peace with God. Jesus, who was completely man and completely God, lived a life without sin, perfectly fulfilling the law. He is righteous! On the cross, Jesus offered up His perfect life as payment for our sins. All who believe and accept that payment have their sins forgiven and are credited with the righteousness of Christ. This is the Gospel message of peace.

Now, therefore, through Jesus Christ, both Jews and Gentiles have access to God the Father by the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit.

 

Application

As you can see, all three persons of the Godhead have a part in our salvation. The Father called us, The Son shed His blood for us, and the indwelling Holy Spirit gives us access. Thank you, God, for a perfect plan of salvation.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:16 – Deadly Reconciliation

Posted on by Will

and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Truth to Learn

We are reconciled to God because of Jesus Christ’s death.

 

Behind the Words

“He might reconcile” is translated from the Greek verb apokatalassō. This is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from,” kata, used as an intensifier, and allassō, meaning “to change.” The word katalassō (without apo added) implies the setting up of a relationship of peace that did not exist before. Apokatalassō, however, implies a restoration of a relationship which comes from a dramatic change. In other words, it refers to restoring harmony or fellowship (which existed previously) between two parties as a result of a dramatic change on the part of one of them.

Amphoteros is the Greek word that is translated “both.” It refers to “both of two,” that is, “both the one and the other.”

The word “body” is soma, which refers to “a body, either literally or figuratively.” In this case it refers to the physical body of Jesus Christ.

“Cross” is from the Greek noun stauros, which is derived from the base of the verb histēmi, meaning “to stand.” It refers to “a tree,” “a stake,” or “a cross” (something set upright) to which criminals were tied or nailed as a form of execution.

The expression “putting to death” comes from the verb apokteinō, which is composed of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and the verb kteinō, meaning “to slay.” Thus, apokteinō means “to kill” or “to put to death.”

 

Meaning Explained

This verse really focuses on the Greek word apokatalassō, the reconciliation of mankind to God. In other words, God has restored harmony and fellowship between us and Him as a result of a change in our status. That change is from a condition of us being a condemned sinner to the condition of us having the righteousness of Christ. But Paul makes a special point of declaring that both Jews and Gentiles have been reconciled to God. Jews needed reconciliation because they failed to keep the whole law. And Gentiles needed reconciliation as well because we were estranged from God and His blessing.

This reconciliation took place in the physical body of Jesus Christ. As the second person of the Godhead, Jesus is completely God. But, because He took on human form, that is, a physical human body just like you and I have, subject to pain, suffering, and death, He is also completely human. Because He became completely human and lived a life without sin, he was able to offer up His human life in that body, through the pain and suffering of the cross, as the payment for our sins.

At this point Paul employs one of his “play on words” for which he is noted. He tells us that because of the death of His body, Jesus put to death the enmity, the hatred and hostility between Jews and Gentiles. By His death, He reconciled both Jew and Gentile with God and put to death the hostility between us.

 

Application

In his letter to the Romans, Paul said:

For in that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in that He lives, He lives to God. So also you count yourselves to be truly dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:10-11)

If we are dead to sin then it cannot have mastery over us, and we can live our lives to God as a result of the bodily death of Jesus Christ. So, now the question we all have to ask ourselves is, “Do we consider ourselves to be dead to sin and alive to God?” Think about that for a few minutes.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:14 – Peace Without Fences

Posted on by Will

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

Truth to Learn

We now have access to God through the new covenant.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “peace” is eirēnē, which means “peace or tranquility.” The root of this word is probably the verb eirō, which means “to join.” Hence, to be at peace with someone implies that you are joined together with them for your mutual benefit. It does not simply imply a passive act (that you leave each other alone) but an active one (that you join together with another person to produce good).

“Both” is translated from amphoteros, which is an inclusive comparative form of the word amphō, meaning “the two.” Therefore, amphoteros means “each of two” or “both.”

The words “broken down” are from the verb luō, which literally means “to loosen,” “to dissolve,” or “to destroy.”

Mesotoichon (used only here in the New Testament) is the Greek word translated “middle wall.” It is a compound word made up of mesos, meaning “middle” and toichos, which refers to the wall of a building (a different word, teichos refers to the wall of a city). Thus, mesotoichon literally refers to “an inner separating wall, as opposed to a protective wall.”

“Separation” is from phragmos, which is derived from the verb phrassō, meaning “to enclose with a fence or a hedge.” Phragmos refers to a “fence intended to keep someone out.”

 

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse we learned that Gentiles were not included in the covenant made between God and Abraham. But, we also learned that God abolished the old covenant and created a new one, sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Now we learn that because of this new covenant, He (Jesus) is our peace. Paul is not talking here about the same personal sense of peace which he told the Philippian Christians about,

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

The peace that Paul is talking about here is the peace between Jews and Gentiles. We are now joined together in a special way. Paul explains this peace further by saying that both Jews and Gentiles have been made one and that the partition separating us from one another has been dissolved.

In the middle of the courtyard of the former Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, a special partition wall divided the court of the Gentiles from the court of Israel. On that wall was an inscription forbidding Gentiles from going any further. That wall was symbolic of the partition wall separating Jews and Gentiles. However, the partition between us has now been demolished by the new covenant through the blood of Jesus.

 

Application

Mankind no longer has to practice all the ordinances of the Jewish faith in order to be children of God. Through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, we are cleansed of our sins and we are adopted into His family.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:18 – Three In One

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 2:18  – Three In One

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Truth to Learn

All three persons of the Godhead have a part in our salvation.

Behind the Words

“Through” is translated from the Greek preposition dia, which indeed means “through.” As in English, it can mean motion through something or it can refer to something as the instrument of action, which is how it is used in the current verse.

The word translated “both” is amphoteros. This is the comparative form of amphi, meaning “around.” It can mean either “each of two things” or “both of two things.”

“Access” is from prosagōgē, which is made up of pros, meaning “forward to” or “toward” and a form of agō, which means “to lead” or “to bring.” So, literally, prosagōgē refers to “something that has been brought near;” that is, “something or someone that has permission to draw near.”

The word “Spirit” is pneuma, which is derived from the verb pneō, which means “to breath hard” or “to blow.” Pneuma, therefore, refers to “a current of air” or, figuratively, “a spirit.”

Meaning Explained

Before we get into this verse, let’s do a little review to properly set the stage for today’s verse. Paul began his current train of thought back in verse eleven, where he reminded us that we Gentiles were previously called “the uncircumcision” by the Jews. Because we were not circumcised, we were excluded from the spiritual nation of Israel, which meant that we were not included in the covenant of promise (that a Messiah would come and save Israel). Therefore, we did not have a relationship with God and we were without hope of salvation.

In fact, Paul tells us that we were far away from God. Not only were we a long way away, but there was a wall between us and the chosen nation of Israel so that we were prevented from getting near to God. And – there was hostility between us and the children of Israel. At that time, the only way for a person to get close to God was to adopt the Jewish faith and become circumcised, thereby committing to be bound by all the requirements of the law.

God, in His infinite wisdom, however, has made a way for us to be at peace with our Jewish brothers and to be at peace with God. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, the wall has been broken down, we have peace with our Jewish brothers, and we have peace with God. Jesus, who was completely man and completely God, lived a life without sin, perfectly fulfilling the law. He is righteous! On the cross, Jesus offered up His perfect life as payment for our sins. All who believe and accept that payment have their sins forgiven and are credited with the righteousness of Christ. This is the Gospel message of peace.

Now, therefore, through Jesus Christ, both Jews and Gentiles have access to God the Father by the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit.

Application

As you can see, all three persons of the Godhead have a part in our salvation. The Father called us, The Son shed His blood for us, and the indwelling Holy Spirit gives us access. Thank you, God, for a perfect plan of salvation.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to:

Ephesians 2:14 – Peace Without Fences

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 2:14  – Peace Without Fences

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

Truth to Learn

We now have access to God through the new covenant.

Behind the Words

The word translated “peace” is eirēnē, which means “peace or tranquility.” The root of this word is probably the verb eirō, which means “to join.” Hence, to be at peace with someone implies that you are joined together with them for your mutual benefit. It does not simply imply a passive act (that you leave each other alone) but an active one (that you join together with another person to produce good).

“Both” is translated from amphoteros, which is an inclusive comparative form of the word amphō, meaning “the two.” Therefore, amphoteros means “each of two” or “both.”

The words “broken down” are from the verb luō, which literally means “to loosen,” “to dissolve,” or “to destroy.”

Mesotoichon (used only here in the New Testament) is the Greek word translated “middle wall.” It is a compound word made up of mesos, meaning “middle” and toichos, which refers to the wall of a building (a different word, teichos refers to the wall of a city). Thus, mesotoichon literally refers to “an inner separating wall, as opposed to a protective wall.”

“Separation” is from phragmos, which is derived from the verb phrassō, meaning “to enclose with a fence or a hedge.” Phragmos refers to a “fence intended to keep someone out.”

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse we learned that Gentiles were not included in the covenant made between God and Abraham. But, we also learned that God abolished the old covenant and created a new one, sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Now we learn that because of this new covenant, He (Jesus) is our peace. Paul is not talking here about the same personal sense of peace which he told the Philippian Christians about,

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

The peace that Paul is talking about here is the peace between Jews and Gentiles. We are now joined together in a special way. Paul explains this peace further by saying that both Jews and Gentiles have been made one and that the partition separating us from one another has been dissolved.

In the middle of the courtyard of the former Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, a special partition wall divided the court of the Gentiles from the court of Israel. On that wall was an inscription forbidding Gentiles from going any further. That wall was symbolic of the partition wall separating Jews and Gentiles. However, the partition between us has now been demolished by the new covenant through the blood of Jesus.

Application

Mankind no longer has to practice all the ordinances of the Jewish faith in order to be children of God. Through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, we are cleansed of our sins and we are adopted into His family.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to: