Tag: aparche

Romans 16:5 – Committed and Active

Posted on by Will

And greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is a firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

Truth to Learn

Christianity involves active participation, not passive attendance.

Behind the Words

 “Church” is from the Greek noun ekklēsia, which is made up of ek, meaning “out of” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” Hence, we see that ekklēsia literally means “a group of called out ones.” It originally referred to citizens who were called out by a herald for a public meeting. As Christians gathered in the first century they were initially referred to as a synagogue (from the Greek sunagogē, meaning “gathered together ones”). But, in order to distinguish them from a Jewish gathering, they were soon referred to as a church (ekklēsia).

The word “firstfruits” is translated from aparchē. This is another compound word. This one is made up of apo, meaning “from” and archomai, meaning “to begin.” Thus, aparchē literally means “begin from.” In other words, it is the beginning of something from which other things follow.

The word “Achaia” does not appear in some of the major Greek texts. Instead, the word Asia appears.

Meaning Explained

The first thing we learn from this verse is that Aquila and Priscilla were totally involved in ministering for the Lord. Not only did they work with Paul in both secular and spiritual activities, helping Paul and even risking their own lives for him, but they also had a church meeting in their own house. Some have speculated that this simply indicated some of the members of the church in Rome gathering in their home from time to time. However, we know that Aquila and Priscilla seemed to use their home for church meetings elsewhere as well. Since Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus, we see that Aquila and Priscilla had a church meeting in their house in Ephesus as well.

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1Corinthians 16:19)

Paul now moves on from Aquila and Priscilla, sending greetings to a man named Epaenetus. His name means “praised.” We know nothing about this man other than what Paul proclaims here. He was someone very special to Paul because he refers to Epaenetus as his “beloved.” He also indicates that this man was a firstfruits of Achaia (or Asia). This implies that Epaenetus was the first (or one of the first) people to become a Christian in that area.

Application

Aquila and Priscilla were active members involved in ministering to the body of Christ no matter where they were. Likewise, Phoebe used what God had given to her to support the body, especially those who had a particular need. Are you an active member of the body of Christ, or do you just go to church?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 11:16 – Set-apart by Him

Posted on by Will

For if the first-fruit is holy, the dough is also; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Truth to Learn

Like the believing Jews, we are set-apart by God for His use.

 

Behind the Words

The word “first-fruit” is from the Greek word aparchē, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and a form of archomai, meaning “to begin.” This word refers to that part of something that is taken from the beginning or the first part.

The word translated “dough” is the Greek word phurama, which is the noun form of the verb phuraō, meaning “to break,” or “to dissolve,” or “to knead.” In this case it refers to a mass of dough that has been kneaded in preparation for baking.

“Holy” is from the word hagios, which means “set apart as something special.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has just been telling us that it was because of His rejection of the unbelieving Jews that God turned to the Gentiles. He is now going to show us that although the Jews as a nation were rejected, it was a few believing Jews who were the beginning of the church.

In the Old Testament, the “first-fruit” was the part of the crop that ripened first and was to be offered to God before partaking of the remainder of the crop. It was a way for the Jews to signify that the entire crop came from God. Even though man planted it, God alone caused the seed to germinate, God alone provided the rain and caused the plant to grow, and God alone caused the fruit to form and ripen. This current verse seems to be a reference to Numbers 15:20, 21 which says:

You shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough as a heave offering; as a heave offering of the threshing floor, so shall you offer it up. Of the first of your dough you shall give to the LORD a heave offering throughout your generations.

I believe that Paul’s reference in the current verse is to the fact that it was a few Jews who were the first to believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. And it was first to the Jews that the glorious message of His resurrection was announced. These Jewish believers were holy. That is, they were “set apart,” set apart from the world of unbelievers and set-apart to God for His use and for His glorification.

If these first few Jews were set-apart by God, so also will the remainder of the church be set-apart. Likewise, Paul refers to the root of an olive tree as being holy which causes the remainder of the tree, the branches, to be holy (set-apart). Paul will now use this metaphor of the olive tree to show us why we are totally dependent on God for His blessing and favor.

 

Application

Remember what Paul has been teaching us, that we are not the ones responsible for our salvation and the blessings that come from it. God, as we are told in Hebrews 12:2, “is the author and finisher of our faith.” He is the one who caused us to believe; hence, we are not the authors of our faith, He is. We do not cause the plants to grow and produce seed, God does. We are totally dependent on God for all of life and especially for spiritual (eternal) life. This should not make us proud; instead, it should humble us in the presence of Almighty God who chose us.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 8:23 – Groaning in Anticipation

Posted on by Will

And, not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly expecting adoption, the redemption of our body.

Truth to Learn

We also groan, waiting for our redemption and adoption.

 

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “firstfruits” is aparchē, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and a form of archomai, meaning “to begin.” This word refers to the first ripe fruit of the season.

“Redemption” is from the Greek word apolutrōsis, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and lutroō, meaning “to bring forward a ransom.” Thus, apolutrōsis means “to release a captive upon receipt of a ransom.”

 

Meaning Explained

Going back once again to our discussion in verse 19 about the Greek word ktisis, which is translated either as “creature” or “creation,” we mentioned that some believe it refers to Christians as a whole, since the Bible in 2Corinthians 5:17 refers to us as “a new creation.” The current verse is one reason why this may not be the intended interpretation. Paul has just said that “all of creation” or “the whole creation” groans and is in pain. In the current verse, Paul now says “Not only that, but we also … we ourselves groan within ourselves.” He even clarifies the “we” by saying that we are the ones “who have the firstfruits of the Spirit… waiting for the adoption…” This expression clearly refers to saved Christians. But, if ktisis was referring to saved Christians, then Paul would not say that we Christians also groan … Hence, it appears that ktisis in the previous verse refers to all of the visible creation apart from mankind.

Next we have to ask ourselves, “What does Paul mean by, “we who have the firstfruits the Spirit?” There are those who believe that since Paul is talking to members of the early church, he means that they were the first ones who received the Holy Spirit; they had received “the firstfruits of the Spirit.” However, if you look at passages in the Old Testament that refer to the “firstfruits” offerings (Deuteronomy 26:2; Exodus 23:19; and Numbers 18:13, for example) you will see that the firstfruits were a pledge of what was to come later. Thus, they were a sacrifice that required faith to offer, believing that the full harvest would come later. That is precisely one of the images we have of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is a pledge that the fullness of salvation, our adoption into God’s family, the redemption and recreation of our bodies, will come to us at the consummation of the last days.

 

Application

We born again Christians also groan within ourselves because we are eagerly awaiting the full adoption and the completion of our salvation. In other words, we are eagerly awaiting our redemption, our final release from the bondage of sin which will end all the pain and suffering which we endure in this earthly life. Next time you groan as a result of the physical or mental pain of being a Christian, remember the day of our redemption is coming soon.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 1:18 – New Birth

Posted on by Will

Having desired it, He brought us forth by the word of truth, for us to be a certain first fruit of His creatures.

Truth to Learn

Our salvation is the greatest example of the goodness of God and His desire to give us good things.

Behind the Words

The words translated “having desired” is a form of the Greek word boulomai. This word refers to “a passive desire, or desirous will” as opposed to the Greek word thelō which expresses “active volition and purpose, or determined will.”

Back in verse 15 we were introduced to the Greek word apokueō, translated in this verse as “brought forth.” It is a medical term for a woman giving birth. It is never used of a man, only of women, inanimate objects (metaphorically speaking), and God.

“First fruit” is translated from aparchē, which is a compound word made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from,” and archomai, meaning “to begin.” This is a reference to the special firstfruits offering that God required of the Israelites.

The expression “for us to be” is composed of the purpose clause eis to along with the infinitive einai, meaning “to be.” So, this could be translated as, “for the purpose of us to be.” James is not saying that it is possible that we will be a kind of first fruits but that it is God’s purpose for us to be a kind of first fruit.

Meaning Explained

James tells us that it was simply because He desired to do it that God gave us birth, and He did so by the word of truth. The birth referred to here is not our physical birth but our new birth (our spiritual birth). This is the birth of which Jesus spoke when he told Nicodemus:

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

Our new birth is not the result of us performing some sacred act, nor is it the result of us completing a series of religious classes and partaking of the sacraments. This spiritual birth comes only from believing God’s promise to us that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all our sins.

James is here giving an example (perhaps the best possible example) of a good act of giving that is completely a gift from God. It was by His will (desirous preference) that he gave us the new birth by the word of truth. It was not by obligation, because we did something, rather it was His choice. He chose us so that we would be a kind of ‘first fruit’ of His creatures.

The “first fruit” is a reference to the Jewish sacrifice that consisted of the first born of all animals and the first part of the harvest of the crops. James’ reference to first fruit here is not meant to emphasize the timing (first) but first in importance, the fact that God considers us as consecrated, or set-apart from the rest of creation.

Application

God is the source of all good and perfect gifts, and an example of that is the gift of our salvation, given to us because He wanted to, not because we earned it in any way.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 16:5 – Committed and Active

Posted on by Will

Romans 16:5 – Committed and Active

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

Truth to Learn

Christianity involves active participation, not passive attendance.

Behind the Words

Notice that the word “greet” is in an italic font. That’s because it does not appear in the Greek text, but has been inserted by the translators. The Greek text actually reads, “Likewise the church that is in their house.”

“Church” is from the Greek noun ekklēsia, which is made up of ek, meaning “out of” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” Hence, we see that ekklēsia literally means “a group of called out ones.” It originally referred to citizens who were called out by a herald for a public meeting. As Christians gathered in the first century they were initially referred to as a synagogue (from the Greek sunagogē, meaning “gathered together ones”). But, in order to distinguish them from a Jewish gathering, they were soon referred to as a church (ekklēsia).

The word “firstfruits” is translated from aparchē. This is another compound word. This one is made up of apo, meaning “from” and archomai, meaning “to begin.” Thus, aparchē literally means “begin from.” In other words, it is the beginning of something from which other things follow.

The word “Achaia” does not appear in some of the major Greek texts. Instead, the word Asia appears.

Meaning Explained

The first thing we learn from this verse is that Aquila and Priscilla were totally involved in ministering for the Lord. Not only did they work with Paul in both secular and spiritual activities, helping Paul and even risking their own lives for him, but they also had a church meeting in their own house. Some have speculated that this simply indicated some of the members of the church in Rome gathering in their home from time to time. However, we know that Aquila and Priscilla seemed to use their home for church meetings elsewhere as well. Since Paul wrote 1Corinthians from Ephesus, we see that Aquila and Priscilla had a church meeting in their house in Ephesus as well.

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1Corinthians 16:19)

Paul now moves on from Aquila and Priscilla, sending greetings to a man named Epaenetus. His name means “praised.” We know nothing about this man other than what Paul proclaims here. He was someone very special to Paul because he refers to Epaenetus as his “beloved.” He also indicates that this man was the firstfruits of Achaia (or Asia). This implies that Epaenetus was the first (or one of the first) people to become a Christian in that area.

Application

Aquila and Priscilla were active members involved in ministering to the body of Christ no matter where they were. Likewise, Phoebe used what God had given to her to support the body, especially those who had a particular need. Are you an active member of the body of Christ, or do you just go to church?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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

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Romans 11:16 – Set-apart by Him

Posted on by Will

Romans 11:16 – Set-apart by Him

For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Truth to Learn

Like the believing Jews, we are set-apart by God for His use.

Behind the Words

The word “firstfruit” is from the Greek word aparchē, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and a form of archomai, meaning “to begin.” This word refers to that part of something that is taken from the beginning or the first part.

The word translated “lump” is the Greek word phurama, which is the noun form of the verb phuraō, meaning “to break,” or “to dissolve,” or “to knead.” In this case it refers to a mass of dough that has been kneaded in preparation for baking.

“Holy” is from the word hagios, which means “to be set apart.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has just been telling us that it was because of His rejection of the unbelieving Jews that God turned to the Gentiles. He is now going to show us that although the Jews as a nation were rejected, it was a few believing Jews who were the beginning of the church.

In the Old Testament, the “firstfruit” was the part of the crop that ripened first and was to be offered to God before partaking of the remainder of the crop. It was a way for the Jews to signify that the entire crop came from God. Even though man planted it, God alone caused the seed to germinate, God alone provided the rain and caused the plant to grow, and God alone caused the fruit to form and ripen. This current verse seems to be a reference to Numbers 15:20, 21 which says:

You shall offer up a cake of the first of your ground meal as a heave offering; as a heave offering of the threshing floor, so shall you offer it up. Of the first of your ground meal you shall give to the LORD a heave offering throughout your generations.

I believe that Paul’s reference in the current verse is to the fact that it was a few Jews who were the first to believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. And it was first to the Jews that the glorious message of His resurrection was announced. These Jewish believers were holy. That is, they were “set apart,” set apart from the world of unbelievers and set-apart to God for His use and for His glorification.

If these first few Jews were set-apart by God, so also will the remainder of the church be set-apart. Likewise, Paul refers to the root of an olive tree as being holy which causes the remainder of the tree, the branches, to be holy (set-apart). Paul will now use this metaphor of the olive tree to show us why we are totally dependent on God for His blessing and favor.

Application

Remember what Paul has been teaching us, that we are not the ones responsible for our salvation and the blessings that come from it. God, as we are told in Hebrews 12:2, “is the author and finisher of our faith.” He is the one who caused us to believe; hence, we are not the authors of our faith, He is. We do not cause the plants to grow and produce seed, God does. We are totally dependent on God for all of life and especially for spiritual (eternal) life. This should not make us proud; instead, it should humble us in the presence of Almighty God who chose us.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 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:

Romans 8:23 – Groaning in Anticipation

Posted on by Will

Romans 8:23 – Groaning in Anticipation

Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Truth to Learn

We also groan, waiting for our redemption and adoption.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “firstfruits” is aparchē, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and a form of archomai, meaning “to begin.” This word refers to the first ripe fruit of the season.

“Redemption” is from the Greek word apolutrōsis, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and lutroō, meaning “to bring forward a ransom.” Thus, apolutrōsis means “to release a captive upon receipt of a ransom.”

Meaning Explained

Going back once again to our discussion in verse 19 about the Greek word ktisis, which is translated either as “creature” or “creation,” we mentioned that some believe it refers to Christians as a whole, since the Bible in 2Corinthians 5:17 refers to us as “a new creation.” The current verse is one reason why this may not be the intended interpretation. Paul has just said that “all of creation” or “the whole creation” groans and is in pain. In the current verse, Paul now says “Not only that, but we also … we ourselves groan within ourselves.” He even clarifies the “we” by saying that we are the ones “who have the firstfruits of the Spirit… waiting for the adoption…” This expression clearly refers to saved Christians. But, if ktisis was referring to saved Christians, then Paul would not say that we Christians also groan … Hence, it appears that ktisis in the previous verse refers to all of the visible creation apart from mankind.

Next we have to ask ourselves, “What does Paul mean by, “we who have the firstfruits the Spirit?” There are those who believe that since Paul is talking to members of the early church, he means that they were the first ones who received the Holy Spirit; they had received “the firstfruits of the Spirit.” However, if you look at passages in the Old Testament that refer to the “firstfruits” offerings (Deuteronomy 26:2; Exodus 23:19; and Numbers 18:13, for example) you will see that the firstfruits were a pledge of what was to come later. Thus, they were a sacrifice that required faith to offer, believing that the full harvest would come later. That is precisely one of the images we have of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is a pledge that the fullness of salvation, our adoption into God’s family, the redemption and recreation of our bodies, will come to us at the consummation of the last days.

Application

We born again Christians also groan within ourselves because we are eagerly awaiting the full adoption and the completion of our salvation. In other words, we are eagerly awaiting our redemption, our final release from the bondage of sin which will end all the pain and suffering which we endure in this earthly life. Next time you groan as a result of the physical or mental pain of being a Christian, remember the day of our redemption is coming soon.

In God’s service, for His glory,

signature

Copyright © 2010 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:e-mail address