Tag: aner

1 Peter 3:1 – Submission & Love

Posted on by Will

In the same way, wives be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the behavior of their wives,

Truth to Learn

Submission is one part of God’s plan for marriages.

 

Behind the Words

“Wives” is translated from gunē, meaning “a woman” or “a wife” (see Revelation 19:7).

The word translated “submissive” is hupotassō, which we have recently learned has the meaning “under rank.” It is expressed here not as a command, but as a passive participle. Hence, Peter is saying, “Wives being submitted to …”

The word “husbands” is from anēr, meaning “a man” or “a husband.”

The words “your own” are a translation of the Greek word idiois, meaning “that which is specifically one’s own.” Hence, wives are to be submitted to their own husband, not to just any husband.

 

Meaning Explained

In the middle of the previous chapter Peter began a theme of submission, “submit yourselves to every institution of man” and “servants be submissive to your masters.” The same idea appears in James’ letter to the church where we are instructed to submit ourselves to God (James 4:7).

Submission is a key in our battle against our enemy, the Devil. In each case this word refers to an act of our will, allowing our own wishes and desires to be subordinated to those of the one to whom we are submitting. This is contrary to our sin nature which wants to promote self. And, seeing self as number one is encouraged today through the messages being proclaimed by the word system, such as, “Do your own thing”, or “After all, I’m worth it”, or “Be you; do what you want to do.”

For a woman married to a godly man who is himself submitted to God, it may be easier to submit, though not always easy. For a woman married to an unsaved man or to a saved man who is not in submission to Christ, it is certainly much more difficult. However, Peter does not make an exception in these cases. He simply says that the conduct of a submissive woman may be the thing that God uses to reach her unbelieving husband.

Lest men think that this makes them any more important than their wives, let me remind you men that we are to be the spiritual leaders, able to answer doctrinal questions from our wives (1 Corinthians 14:35). We are to treat our wives as having great value (1 Peter 3:7). Twice we are commanded to love our wives with a self-sacrificing love (Ephesians 5:25 and Colossians 3:19) even to the point of dying for them, just as Christ died for the church. Incidentally, wives are never commanded to love their husbands in this manner. Men, this means that when you and your wife have an argument, it is up to you to sacrifice your own will and apologize to her for your inappropriate behavior, expecting nothing in return from her.

 

Application

In God’s church, the body of Christ, men and women have different roles. Neither is better than the other. Neither is superior to the other. In a marriage, wives are to be submitted to their husbands who are to love their wives. Both of these actions are commanded and neither one depends on the other.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 5:22 – Sometimes It’s Difficult

Posted on by Will

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Truth to Learn

God has a perfect plan for the marriage relationship.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “wives” is gunē, which means “a woman.” It also is used throughout the New Testament to indicate a woman who is engaged to, or married to, a man. This is the word used in referring to “the bride (woman) of the Lamb of God” (see Revelation 19:7; 21:9).

“Submit” is translated from hupotassō, which we encountered in yesterday’s verse, meaning “to under-rank oneself” or “to subordinate oneself.” It is expressed here in the middle voice, indicating something done by the subject (wives) to the subject (wives). The word hupotassō does not appear in the earlier manuscripts, but it is clear for the context that this is what Paul intended.

The words “your own” are from idios, indicating something that is private and personal (as opposed to public or common).

“Husbands” is from the Greek word anēr, which specifically refers to “an adult male person;” that is “a man.” It is also used throughout the New Testament to mean “a husband.”

 

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is one which causes a lot of women to bristle, particularly in this post-modern world of feminism. It has been misinterpreted and often misapplied, so let’s see what it says as well as what it doesn’t say.

Paul started out this chapter commanding us to be “imitators of God” and to “walk in love.” Then, throughout this chapter he has given us teaching on how to do that and how to behave within the body of Christ, teaching us what to do and what to avoid. In verse eighteen he said to avoid getting drunk, but to be filled with the Spirit. As we are Spirit-filled, we will exhibit three evidences of that filling: singing praise to God, being thankful, and submitting to one another within the church.

He now takes the remainder of this chapter to talk about the relationship between a husband and a wife. Since he has just been talking about submission, he starts off with this subject. He says that wives are to “under-rank themselves with respect to their husbands.” He is not saying that a husband is any better or more important than his wife. He is not saying that a woman is to be her husband’s submissive slave. He is simply stating that in God’s plan for mankind there is an order of authority. This is another area of life where our sin nature and the world system fight against what God says is right.

Paul’s teaching on submission within the family is not conditional, it is absolute. And, it is something that a wife does to herself; it is not something done to her. A husband is not to force his wife to be submissive to him. That’s abuse. Abuse within a marriage, whether physical or emotional, is contrary to God’s design. Anyone in such a relationship needs to seek out a counselor with appropriate social and spiritual training.

Also, note that Paul says wives are to submit to “their own husbands.” He is not saying that all women are to submit to all men. This voluntary act of submission is part of the private, personal relationship that a man and woman have.

Since this is such a potentially contentious teaching, Paul will spend several verses explaining it, along with a command regarding how husbands are to treat their wives.

 

Application

For some women, submitting to their husband is easy, for others it is very difficult. If you find it hard to do, prayerfully lay it before the Lord and He will guide you in love.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 2:2 – Apparel Judgment

Posted on by Will

For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine clothing, and there should also come in a poor person in filthy clothes,

Truth to Learn

Wealth or poverty should not be sources of differentiation within the church.

Behind the Words

The word translated “assembly” is sunagōgē, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and a derivative of agō, meaning “to lead” or “to gather together.” Hence, this word refers to a gathering together of people. It is the word from which we get our English word Synagogue.

The words “man with gold rings” are translated from the Greek anēr chrusodaktulios. Anēr is the word for “an adult male person” or “a husband.” The word chrusodaktulios is a compound word made up of chrusos, meaning “gold,” and daktulios, meaning “a finger ring.” So, literally this is referring to “a gold ringed man.”

The word “fine,” describing his clothing, is the Greek word lampros, which is derived from the verb lampō, meaning “to shine.” Hence, this refers to brilliant or magnificent clothing.

“Poor man” is translated from ptōchos, which is derived from the verb ptōssō, meaning “to crouch or cower like a beggar.” This word is a reference to someone in abject poverty like a homeless street beggar in one of our cities today.

Finally, the word “filthy” is translated from rhuparos which refers to something that is extremely dirty or foul smelling.

Meaning Explained

It might seem strange to see James refer to the meeting of Christians as a synagogue, but we must remember that the early church was largely made up of converted Jews. There is also evidence that some church gathering places even as late as the fourth century AD were called sunagōgia (synagogues) rather than what is more common today, ekklēsia (churches).

Paul is talking specifically about how you treat people within your church gatherings. In the eastern cultures, even today, a person with great wealth is easily identifiable by his luxurious robes and expensive gold jewelry. Such opulence is not as obviously displayed in Western society, although it does happen to some extent. In our churches this might be a man wearing an expensive suit displaying diamond or gold rings and expensive cufflinks, accompanied by his wife wearing designer clothing accessorized with expensive jewelry.

The second person identified in this verse is a lot easier to recognize. James is talking about a homeless beggar who likely smells of stale sweat (or worse), wearing the only clothing he or she owns. This is the kind of person nobody wants to sit next to, let alone have a conversation with. The contrast is pretty dramatic and James is intentionally showing extremes of personage. He will complete the admonition in the next two verses.

Application

Do you notice how people dress for church on Sunday morning? Do you make value judgments about them based on their appearance?

See what James says in the next verse.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 5:22 – Sometimes It’s Difficult

Posted on by Will

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Truth to Learn

God has a perfect plan for the marriage relationship.

Behind the Words

The word translated “wives” is gunē, which means “a woman.” It also is used throughout the New Testament to indicate a woman who is engaged to, or married to, a man. This is the word used in referring to “the bride (woman) of the Lamb of God” (see Revelation 19:7; 21:9).

“Submit” is translated from hupotassō, which we encountered in yesterday’s verse, meaning “to under-rank oneself.” It is expressed here in the middle voice, indicating something done by the subject (wives) to the subject (wives).

The words “your own” are from idios, indicating something that is private and personal (as opposed to public or common).

“Husbands” is from the Greek word anēr, which specifically refers to “an adult male person;” that is “a man.” It is also used throughout the New Testament to mean “a husband.”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is one which causes a lot of women to bristle, particularly in this post-modern world of feminism. It has been misinterpreted and often misapplied, so let’s see what it does say and what it doesn’t say.

Paul started out this chapter commanding us to be “imitators of God” and to “walk in love.” Then, throughout this chapter he has given us teaching on how to do that and how to behave within the body of Christ, teaching us what to do and what to avoid. In verse eighteen he said to avoid getting drunk, but to be filled with the Spirit. As we are Spirit-filled, we will exhibit three evidences of that filling: singing praise to God, being thankful, and submitting to one another within the church.

He now takes the remainder of this chapter to talk about the relationship between a husband and a wife. Since he has just been talking about submission, he starts off with this subject. He says that wives are to “under-rank themselves with respect to their husbands.” He is not saying that a husband is any better or more important than his wife. He is not saying that a woman is to be her husband’s submissive slave. He is simply stating that in God’s plan for mankind there is an order of authority. This is another area of life where our sin nature and the world system fight against what God says is right.

Paul’s teaching on submission within the family is not conditional, it is absolute. And, it is something that a wife does to herself; it is not something done to her. Abuse within a marriage, whether physical or emotional, is contrary to God’s design. Anyone in such a relationship needs to seek out a counselor with appropriate social and spiritual training.

Also, note that Paul says wives are to submit to “their own husbands.” He is not saying that all women are to submit to all men. This voluntary act of submission is part of the private, personal relationship that a man and woman have.

Since this is such a potentially contentious teaching, Paul will spend several verses explaining it, along with a command regarding how husbands are to treat their wives.

Application

For some women, submitting to their husband is easy, for others it is very difficult. If you find it hard to do, prayerfully lay it before the Lord and He will guide you in love.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Ephesians 4:13 – Gifts For Unity

Posted on by Will

till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

Truth to Learn

Christians should all be working for each other.

Behind the Words

“Come to” is the translation of the Greek word katantaō, meaning “to arrive somewhere” or “to attain something.”

The word translated “knowledge” is the Greek word epignosis, which means more than simply knowing something. It means “to recognize and understand something,” that is, “to have complete, in-depth knowledge of someone or something.”

“Perfect man” is from the Greek words andra teleion. Andra, a form of anēr refers to “a man,” although as it is used here, it refers to “a person.” Teleion, a form of teleios, means “complete” or “of full age.” Thus, together these two words refer to “a fully grown person.”

The word “measure” is translated from metron, meaning “a measure of length or capacity.”

“Stature” is from hēlikia, meaning “maturity, in age or size.”

Meaning Explained

In today’s verse, Paul tells us some of the reasons that God gave us spiritual gifts. In the opening verses of this chapter, he told us that we are to be humbly and patiently bearing with each other, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit, being bound to one another by peace. In the following verses he talked about why unity is a defining characteristic of the Christian faith. He also told us how Christ came to present gifts to each one of us when He arrived home after His victory over Satan and death. As we learned in yesterday’s verse, these spiritual gifts are given to every believer, and we are to use our gifts to minister to members of the church and, thereby, to build-up the body of Christ.

One of the objectives of our ministering to each other and building up each other is a two-fold objective. It is to reach that unity Paul talked about in verse three, and it is so that each of us might come to a full knowledge of the Son of God. Here he calls that unity “the unity of the faith.” Even though there have been splits in the Christian church throughout the centuries, and it sometimes seems that every church is going off in its own direction, there are two unifying factors. One is our common faith in what Jesus Christ has done for us. The other is the complete in-depth, experiential knowledge of who Jesus is.

Another objective of our using our spiritual gifts within the church is so that we might become fully grown Christians. And, in using our spiritual gifts in the church, we help each other mature in our relationship with God. This is why the writer of Hebrews said:

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Application

It is quite apparent that we are in the last days and that Christ could return any day now. Instead of living for ourselves in these last days, let us use our gifts to strengthen each other and to prepare ourselves for our heavenly reunion with the Savior.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.