Tag: appointed

1 Peter 2:8 – Stumbling Disobedience

Posted on by Will

and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to the ones who are stumbling at the word, being unbelieving, — to which also they were appointed.

Truth to Learn

Those who reject God’s call are condemned because they don’t believe.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “stone” is lithos, which is a primary word that refers to any stone independent of size, whereas the word translated “rock” is from the Greek word petra, meaning “a mass of rock” or “a massive rock.”

“Stumbling” is translated from proskommatos, which is made up of pros, meaning “to, toward, or against” and a form of koptō, meaning “to cut” or “to strike.” So, literally this word means “to strike against,” that is, “to stub” or “to stumble.”

The word translated “offense” is the Greek word scandalon. It literally means “a trap stick”, that is, a stick which is bated and used to trap or snare an animal. This word has come to mean “an occasion to fall” or “an offense.”

The word “unbelieving” is translated from apeitheō, which we looked at in the previous verse. It means “disbelieving” or “being disobedient.”

Finally, the word “appointed” is from a form of tithēmi which means “to place”, “to put”, or “to appoint.”

 

Meaning Explained

Not only has Christ become the most important foundation stone upon which Christians and the church as a whole are built, but He has become a different kind of stone for those who reject Him.

Peter is saying that Christ has become a firm cornerstone to believers but to those who stub themselves on the Word (that is, they don’t believe the simple message contained in the Bible), He is a stubbing stone and a massive rock that traps. The reason they stub themselves is because they do not believe, to which condition they were appointed (because they are not among the chosen ones). This interpretation has been hotly debated for centuries but those who interpret the Bible literally understand it to be consistent with the doctrine of election.

Now, lest we get the wrong idea from what Peter is saying, these who do not believe are condemned because they are disobedient. They are not disobedient because they are condemned. That is, God does not “cause” them to be disobedient; He simply judges them for their disobedience.

And … God does not hide the truth from these disobedient ones, but Satan does:

whose minds the god of this age [Satan] has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (2Corinthians 4:4)

 

Application

Those who do not believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He died on the cross to pay for their sins, are condemned for their disobedience. They are disobedient by their very nature (sin nature), not because God caused them to be disobedient. They are personally responsible for their sins, just as we are. The difference is that we have accepted Jesus’ payment for our sins and they haven’t

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 3:3 – Suffering From God

Posted on by Will

that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed unto this.

Truth to Learn

Some of our suffering is because God has determined it.

 

Behind the Words

“No one” is translated from mēdeis. This word is made up of mē, which is a conditional negative particle meaning “not,” de, meaning “but” or “and,” and heis, the numeral “one.” Thus, this word literally means “and not one” or “no one.”

The words “should be shaken” are from the verb sainō, meaning “to move back and forth as a dog wags its tail.” Figuratively, this word means “to move back and forth in the mind,” that is, “to be mentally agitated.”

“Afflictions” is from the Greek word thlipsis, which is based on the verb thilbō, meaning “to squeeze” or “to crush.” Thus, thlipsis refers to “pressure, stress, trouble, or affliction.”

The word translated “appointed” is keimai, which literally means “to lie down” or “to set in place.” So, we could paraphrase this as, “that we were put in place for this purpose.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul told the Thessalonians that he had sent Timothy to them, since he was hindered from going there himself. And, he says that he sent Timothy with the expressed purpose of helping them to become firmly established and grounded in their faith. Since Paul had spent such a short time in Thessalonica, he had not been able to instruct them completely in the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. Knowing how critical good doctrine is to a sound Christian faith and a victorious Christian life, Paul wanted to ensure that the Thessalonians began their faith walk on firm footing.

The other reason that Paul had sent Timothy was to comfort and encourage them. In today’s verse we get a hint of why Paul wanted the Thessalonians to be grounded and comforted. It was because of “these afflictions.” Now the question we have to ask ourselves is, “What afflictions is Paul talking about?” Some people may mistakenly think he’s talking about the persecution the Thessalonian Christians are going through at the hands of their countrymen. However, based on the rules of grammar and the context of surrounding verses, it is apparent that Paul is talking about the affliction that he and his companions were suffering in being hindered from returning themselves.

Paul now makes an interesting statement. He says that the Thessalonians were fully aware that these afflictions had been laid out for them. What does he mean by that? From the book of Acts we learn that at the time of Paul’s (Saul’s) conversion, the Lord told Ananias this about Paul:

For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake. (Acts 9:16)

The obvious conclusion, therefore, is that Jesus Himself determined ahead of time that Paul was going to suffer in his ministry for God.

 

Application

I’ve heard a number of Christians say, “Why is God allowing this to happen to me? I’m being faithful. I’m following His leading. I’m being obedient.” The reason for these afflictions (some of them at least) is not because of rebellious sinfulness, but because God determined ahead of time that they would happen. Why? So that we will get stronger and so He will get all the glory for everything we do in His name.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 3:3 – Suffering From God

Posted on by Will

that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

Truth to Learn

Some of our suffering is because God has determined it.

Behind the Words

“No one” is translated from mēdeis. This word is made up of mē, which is a conditional negative particle meaning “not,” de, meaning “but” or “and,” and heis, the numeral “one.” Thus, this word literally means “and not one” or “no one.”

The words “should be shaken” are from the verb sainō, meaning “to move back and forth as a dog wags its tail." Figuratively, this word means “to move back and forth in the mind,” that is, “to be mentally agitated.”

“Afflictions” is from the Greek word thlipsis, which is based on the verb thilbō, meaning “to squeeze” or “to crush.” Thus, thlipsis refers to “pressure, stress, trouble, or affliction.”

The word translated “appointed” is keimai, which literally means “to lie down” or “to set in place.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul told the Thessalonians that he had sent Timothy to them, since he was hindered from going there himself. And, he says that he sent Timothy with the expressed purpose of helping them to become firmly established and grounded in their faith. Since Paul had spent such a short time in Thessalonica, he had not been able to instruct them completely in the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. Knowing how critical good doctrine is to a sound Christian faith and a victorious Christian life, Paul wanted to ensure that the Thessalonians began their faith walk on firm footing.

The other reason that Paul had sent Timothy was to comfort and encourage them. In today’s verse we get a hint of why Paul wanted the Thessalonians to be grounded and comforted. It was because of “these afflictions.” Now the question we have to ask ourselves is, “What afflictions is Paul talking about?” Some people may mistakenly think he’s talking about the persecution the Thessalonian Christians are going through at the hands of their countrymen. However, based on the rules of grammar and the context of surrounding verses, it is apparent that Paul is talking about the affliction that he and his companions were suffering in being hindered from returning themselves.

Paul now makes an interesting statement. He says that the Thessalonians were fully aware that these afflictions had been laid out for them. What does he mean by that? From the book of Acts we learn that at the time of Paul’s (Saul’s) conversion, the Lord told Ananias this about Paul:

For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake. (Acts 9:16)

The obvious conclusion, therefore, is that Jesus Himself determined ahead of time that Paul was going to suffer in his ministry for God.

Application

I.ve  heard a number of Christians say, “Why is God allowing this to happen to me? I’m being faithful. I’m following His leading. I’m being obedient.” The reason for these afflictions (some of them at least) is not because of rebellious sinfulness, but because God determined ahead of time that they would happen. Why? So that we will get stronger and so He will get all the glory for everything we do in His name.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved