Tag: anastrophe

1 Peter 3:2 – Wondrous Pure Conduct

Posted on by Will

having observed your pure behavior accompanied by fear.

Truth to Learn

The pure lifestyle of a God-fearing woman is a thing of wonder to behold.

 

Behind the Words

The phrase, “having observed” comes from the Greek word epopteuō, which is a compound of epi, meaning “on” or “upon” and a form of optomai, which means “to gaze.” There are a number of words in the Greek that are used for different types of looking, words that mean to see, to look at, to look closely at, to stare, to be a spectator, and to spy on. These are all distinctly different than this word which means, “to gaze upon (that is, with wide open eyes, as at something remarkable).” The word is expressed here as an aorist participle, implying continuous action which occurred before the main verb of this sentence (“they … may be won” in the previous verse). So, we could translate this as, “they having observed…”

The word translated “pure” is the Greek word hagnos. This comes from the same root as hagios, a word we’ve looked at before, meaning “holy” or “pure.” The word in today’s verse means “clean, innocent, modest, chaste, or pure.”

“Behavior” is translated from anastrophē, which is made up of ana, meaning “up,” and a form of strephō, meaning “to turn.” Hence, this word literally means “to turn up,” but by application it means “to go back and forth” and has come to mean “manner of living, lifestyle, behavior, or conduct.”

 

Meaning Explained

When a Christian woman is totally committed to God and living a submitted life (to God and to her husband), even an unsaved husband will look at her with wonder. The thing which causes such amazement in her husband, according to Peter, is her “pure behavior.”

This pure lifestyle is the most effective witness to an unsaved husband. Unfortunately, some women married to unsaved men feel like they need to preach at their husbands or badger them into going to church on Sunday. Instead, Peter says that a woman in this situation is to live a life totally devoted to God and submitted to her husband. That doesn’t mean that the woman has to do whatever her husband wants if what he wants is contrary to the teaching of Scripture. Her top priorities have to be obedience to God and a pure lifestyle. But Peter does teach us (from the previous verse) that “they (unsaved husbands), without a word, may be won by the behaviou of their wives.” In the next couple of verses, Peter will give us more details about how this type of woman conducts herself.

Let me say that a pure lifestyle and a submissive spirit are exactly the qualities, coupled with a solid faith and reverential fear of the Lord, which caused me to first gaze at and admire the young woman who eventually became my wife more than forty years ago. Qualities that I still find remarkable even today!

 

Application

Ladies, do you want your husband to gaze at you in wonder, as he looks at something remarkable? That, according to Peter, comes from your clean lifestyle and submission to your husband. Not as a patsy or a door-mat, but as a life partner who has a solid, abiding faith in God.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Peter 2:12 – For His Glory

Posted on by Will

having your behavior good among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of inspection.

Truth to Learn

Our good behavior will bring glory to God.

 

Behind the Words

“Behavior” is translated from anastrophē, which literally means “to turn again.” By implication it means “to move around.” It’s a reference to the way we behave as we move back and forth through this life on earth.

The word translated “good” is kalos, which literally means “beautiful” but by figure, as used here, it means “good in quality or character.”

The word translated “inspection” is episkopē, which is made up of epi, meaning “on” or “over” and a form of skopeō, meaning “to give attention to.” Hence, it primarily refers to an inspection. Some scholars believe this refers to the day that God visits a person to open his or her eyes to the truth of the gospel. That is, the day they are “saved.” Others, however, believe that this refers to the day when God will judge the unbelievers. Since the term primarily refers to an inspection, it is more likely that Peter is referring to the Day of Judgment.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that Peter is telling us we need to exert our will to keep ourselves away from (or abstain from) fleshly lusts. Now he tells us that we should exhibit “good” behavior. Not only do we need to avoid letting our lusts control us, we need to behave in a manner that is generally regarded as good. And in whose presence are we to behave this way? The Gentiles.

“Wait a minute,” you say, “I thought Gentiles were non-Jews?” The word translated Gentiles in this verse is ethnos. Back in verse 9 we talked about the fact that God has made us a “holy nation” The word translated “nation” in that verse is this same Greek word, ethnos. It means “a race of people” or “a nation of people,” and Peter is using it here in the vernacular sense of those who are not of us or, more specifically, those who are not Christians. We are to live an exemplary life, a life without reproach, in front of the unsaved.

The reason, according to Peter, is that in living this way we may, by our good works, cause the unbelievers to glorify God in the day of inspection. These same people who deride us and treat us with disregard or contempt will give God glory one day.

Perhaps our current good behavior will be used as evidence against those who speak evil against us, showing that their attitude toward God was wrong. It does not appear that we will derive any personal satisfaction out of such judgment, and we are not to live godly lives for our own benefit. We are to live this way so that God will receive praise and glory.

 

Application

We are not here on this earth to do great things for ourselves; we are here to serve Him. Let us strive to live humble, godly lives and do good works, not for ourselves, but so that God will be glorified! After all, He is worthy!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Peter 1:17 – Impartial Judgment

Posted on by Will

And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay here on earth;

Truth to Learn

The way we live reflects how we really feel about God.

 

Behind the Words

“Without partiality” comes from aprosōpolēptos, which is a compound of three words meaning “not,” “appearance,” and “accept”. Hence, this word means that He does not take a person’s appearance into account, and it has come to mean “impartially.”

The word translated “judges” is from the Greek word krinō, which means “to distinguish or decide based on the facts.”

“Conduct” is translated from the verb form of the word anastrophē, meaning “our manner of living.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood indicating a call to action.

 

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse seems to talk about a works based salvation since it says that God judges according to every man’s work. Taken in isolation from the numerous Biblical verses that talk about salvation being of grace by faith alone, some people have even said that this verse proves that our salvation is based on works. But what does the verse really say?

God judges us based on what we do, not to earn righteousness (salvation), but as a result of the righteousness (salvation) that has already been given to us. Our righteousness is imputed (given) to us when we believe (see Romans 4:22-24).

Now, regarding the works of the unsaved, the description of the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 20:11-15 makes it very clear that the unsaved will be judged according to their works and then will all be condemned to the lake of fire.

But Christians will not appear before the White Throne Judgment. Instead, we will appear before the Bema Seat Judgment, about which the Apostle Paul said:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

This judgment seat of Christ is the bematos, or Bema Seat of Christ. In the first century, the Bema seat was the platform upon which the judge of athletic games sat. It was at this seat that the winners were each given a wreath “crown” as a reward for their victory. Our Bema seat judgment is for believers (winners) only and occurs after the rapture when we have already become like Christ, hence we are blameless. This is where we will receive rewards for the work we have done for Him. And in 1 Corinthians 3:8-15 we learn that our works will be judged as having been done either for the glory of God or for ourselves. Therefore, Peter admonishes us in today’s verse to pass the time of our wandering here on this earth in fear. Not fear of losing our salvation, but fear that we won’t do everything we can to show God how grateful we are.

 

Application

I have often wondered how a person who is saved by God’s grace can then live the remainder of his or her life focusing on self. When we realize the value of God’s sacrifice to pay the price of our sins, we begin to understand how precious salvation really is. Now, what are we doing to show how much we appreciate His sacrifice? Christ died for us; therefore, we should live for Him!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Peter 1:15 – Shedding Grave Clothes

Posted on by Will

but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your conduct,

Truth to Learn

We are commanded to become set-apart from sin and the world system.

 

Behind the Words

The word “holy” is translated from hagios. The root of this word refers to that which is pure and without blemish. This word also carries the notion of being set-apart. God is set-apart in that He is without sin, and He is the creator while all others are created beings. People and things which are set-apart for God’s use or in worshipping Him are also considered holy.

“Conduct” is translated from anastrophē, which literally means “to turn up” or “to turn again.” By implication, however, it means “to move around.” It’s a reference to the way we behave as we move back and forth through this life on earth.

 

Meaning Explained

In the last verse Peter told us to be obedient children of our Heavenly Father and not to be conformed to our former manner of life which we lived in ignorance. Now that we are no longer ignorant of spiritual things, along with a change of heart we need to have a change of life. When I was a very new Christian, my pastor said to me that I needed to shed the grave clothes of my old way of life. I didn’t have a clue what he was talking about, so he explained it.

When Jesus raised up Lazarus from the dead, he was bound with grave clothes, and as Lazarus came out of the tomb, Jesus commanded that he be unbound and set free (see John 11:43,44). In the same way we, as we are born again spiritually, come forth wearing the same habits and lifestyles that we had before we were saved. And just like Lazarus, we are bound by them and cannot know the fullness of the freedom that is ours until we rid ourselves of our past behavior.

God realizes that as we take off one type of covering we need to put on another. When commanding us to change something about our lives, He frequently tells us to stop doing something. And, if you look carefully, you will find that either specifically, or contextually, we will also be given a command of what we are to do instead.

In today’s verse, we are told what to do instead of being conformed to our former lusts; we are to be holy in our behavior. So what does it mean to be holy? We just learned that it means to be pure and set-apart from our former way of life. But we can’t do these things ourselves while we still have our sin nature controlling us. But as we let our powerful, Holy God control us, He is able to produce purity and moral blamelessness in us, and legally we are already set-apart.

It takes a lot of effort on our part (effort to submit and commit), but as we do so, He performs in us what He desires. As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:13:

For it is God who is at work in you both to determine and to work for His good pleasure.

 

Application

Instead of patterning our lives after our former lustful ways, obeying our own desires, we need to become progressively more like God, separated from the world and its sinfulness. Take your eyes off yourself and others and focus them exclusively on God.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:22 – Lose the Old Man

Posted on by Will

that you put off, concerning your former behavior, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

Truth to Learn

Christians need to deny the desires of their sin nature.

 

Behind the Words

The words “put off” are translated from apotithēmi, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and tithēmi, meaning “to place” or “to put.” Thus, it literally means “to put away from.” Since this is grammatically coupled with enduō (to put on a garment) in verse twenty-four, it is most reasonably a reference to taking something off, like a garment.

“Former” is from proteros, a comparative form of protos, meaning “first.” Proteros refers to something prior or previous.

“Behavior” is translated from anastrophē, which is made up of ana, meaning “up” or “again” and a form of strephō, meaning “to turn.” The noun anastrophe, therefore, refers to “a turning around again.” Metaphorically, it is often a reference to one’s behavior or manner of life. It is similar to peripateō (to walk around) which we saw back in verse seventeen.

“Grows corrupt” are from the verb phtheirō, which means “to waste away, to become rotten, or to become corrupt.”

“Deceitful” is translated from apathē, which refers to “that which is deceptive or seductive.”

 

Meaning Explained

This particular train of thought of the Apostle Paul started back in verse seventeen where he said, “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind.” His reason for saying this was given in the previous two verses: because we have been taught the truth which is in Jesus Christ. He now gives some of the details of the truth that Christ teaches, which include, “quit behaving like you used to.”

In order to make his teaching even clearer, Paul introduces us to something that he calls “the old man.” He makes other references to this “old man” in Romans 6:6 and in Colossians 3:9. In the Romans passage, Paul tells us that our old man was crucified with Christ. Then, in Galatians 5:24, he tells us that it is our “flesh” with its passions and desires that has been crucified with Christ; thus, we see that our “old man” is equated with our “flesh.” And, in the eighth chapter of his letter to the Romans, Paul teaches a great deal about our “flesh.” There we learn that it is our “flesh,” our “old man,” sometimes referred to as our “sin nature” that draws us into sin and away from the righteousness of Christ.

In today’s verse (as in Colossians 3:9) we are told to take off the “old man.” Since Paul is talking to Christians, those who have previously professed Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior, it is clear that he teaches that Christians still have a sin nature. And, unfortunately, we will continue to possess the “old man” until that day when God will make us perfect (in Heaven). Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with his sin nature (see Romans chapter seven) and it frustrated him too!

 

Application

Don’t be alarmed that as a Christian you still commit sin. You haven’t lost your salvation. It is the old man you’re wearing. Whenever you find that you’re wearing him, confess your sins and lay him aside. Then focus again on serving your Savior.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 3:13 – Wise Teacher

Posted on by Will

Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Let him show his works by his good behavior, in meekness of wisdom.

Truth to Learn

Many who desire to be teachers don’t qualify. But it’s not due to lack of knowledge or understanding.

Behind the Words

“Wise” is translated from the Greek word sophos. In classical Greek, this word described respected philosophers and other truly learned men. However, in the New Testament it implies much more than just intellectual brilliance and education. Specifically, it refers to “the ability to apply with skill what one knows (especially religious truth).”

The word “knowledgeable” is translated from epistēmōn. This is made up of epi, meaning “upon” or “over” and a form of histēmi, meaning “to stand.” In the Greek vernacular, one would say that it refers to “someone who overstands.” Today we would say, “one who understands.” This word refers to intelligence and the knowledge of an expert.

The word translated “behavior” is anastrophē, made up of ana, meaning “up” or “again” and a form of strephō, meaning “to turn.” Hence, it literally refers to turning again. Metaphorically, it refers to the way a person lives his or her life.

Meaning Explained

After a lengthy monologue about the tongue, James finally moves on to a new subject. His discourse, however, is still in reference to teaching in the church. Just because someone knows a lot doesn’t mean they should be a teacher. We all have been gifted by the Holy Spirit with special abilities to be used in the church. Not all are gifted as teachers, though. If you have the ability to speak and teach and you think you know a lot about God and what is taught in the Bible, James says there are still more things that are necessary before you will be considered a good teacher. Not only do you need to have mastery over your tongue, you need to have mastery over what you know, and that mastery must be demonstrated, not just proclaimed.

He says if you have a lot of knowledge (understanding of facts) and wisdom (proper skillful application of those facts), then let your humble actions prove it. Although James has a clear, “politely in-your-face” style in most of his writing, here he is making a very subtle statement to people who want the prominence and power of the position of teacher in a church. It is this: “Don’t put yourself forward as a great teacher; let others recognize it in you from your humbly demonstrated wisdom, righteous living, and ability to teach.” If this is clearly demonstrated, you will be asked to be a teacher.

James tells us that wisdom needs to be possessed in meekness. Some of the most intelligent and educated people are very proud of their position or the letters that appear at the end of their names. That is a problem according to James.

Application

Do you seek the position and prominence of a teacher within the church? James might tell you that you don’t qualify. Those who are truly called by God to teach in the church are constantly humbled before God because of the awesome responsibility that has been placed on them to rightly instruct the truth of God’s Holy Word.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:22 – Lose the Old Man

Posted on by Will

that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

Truth to Learn

Christians need to deny the desires of their sin nature.

Behind the Words

The words “put off” are translated from apotithēmi, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and tithēmi, meaning “to place” or “to put.” Thus, it literally means “to put away from.” Since this is grammatically coupled with enduō (to put on a garment) in verse twenty-four, it is most reasonably a reference to taking something off like a garment.

“Former” is from proteros, a comparative form of protos, meaning “first.” Proteros refers to something prior or previous.

“Conduct” is translated from anastrophē, which is made up of ana, meaning “up” or “again” and a form of strephō, meaning “to turn.” The noun anastrophe, therefore, refers to “a turning around again.” Metaphorically, it is often a reference to one’s behavior or manner of life. It is similar to peripateō (to walk around) which we saw back in verse seventeen.

“Grows corrupt” are from the verb phtheirō, which means “to waste away, to become rotten, or to become corrupt.”

“Deceitful” is translated from apathē, which refers to “that which is deceptive or seductive.”

Meaning Explained

This particular train of thought of the Apostle Paul started back in verse seventeen where he said, “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind.” His reason for saying this was given in the previous two verses: because we have been taught the truth which is in Jesus Christ. He now gives some of the details of the truth that Christ teaches, which include, “quit acting like you used to act.”

In order to make his teaching even clearer, Paul introduces us to something that he calls “the old man.” He makes other references to this “old man” in Romans 6:6 and in Colossians 3:9. In the Romans passage, Paul tells us that our old man was crucified with Christ. Then, in Galatians 5:24, he tells us that it is our “flesh” with its passions and desires that has been crucified with Christ; thus, we see that our “old man” is equated with our “flesh.” And, in the eighth chapter of his letter to the Romans, Paul teaches a great deal about our “flesh.” There we learn that it is our “flesh,” our “old man,” sometimes referred to as our “sin nature” that draws us into sin and away from the righteousness of Christ.

In today’s verse (as in Colossians 3:9) we are told to take off the “old man.” Since Paul is talking to Christians, those who have previously professed Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior, it is clear that he teaches that Christians still have a sin nature. And, unfortunately, we will continue to possess the “old man” until that day when God will make us perfect (in Heaven). Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with his sin nature (see Romans chapter seven) and it frustrated him too!

Application

Don’t be alarmed that as a Christian you still commit sin. You haven’t lost your salvation. It is the old man you’re wearing. Whenever you find that you’re wearing him, confess your sins and lay him aside. Then focus again on serving your Savior.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.