Tag: bathos

Romans 11:33 – Immeasurable Riches

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways intraceable!

Truth to Learn

God has given us a gift of immeasurable worth.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “depth” is the Greek word bathos. This word literally does mean “depth,” but by interpretation it refers to the profundity or the extent of something.

Anexeraunētos is the Greek word translated “unsearchable.” It is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and the noun form of exereunaō, which means “to search out.” So this Greek word refers to something that no one can completely search out. The implication is that his judgments are unquestionable because no one could ever completely understand all that went into them.

 “Riches” is translated from ploutos, which refers to “monetary wealth, richness, or abundance of possessions.” So what Paul is proclaiming in the opening part of this verse is how vast and extensive is the abundance of value of both God’s knowledge and of His wisdom.

The word translated “intraceable” is anexichniastos, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and the noun form of exichniadzō, which means “to explore.”

 

Meaning Explained

Throughout this eleventh chapter of the book of Romans, Paul has been demonstrating why it was necessary for the Israelites to be rejected. But he also teaches that they will someday be brought back into the fold. In this and the following three verses he will now step back to acknowledge and admire the wisdom and sovereignty of God.

He proclaims that no one can completely search out or fully comprehend God’s judgments, nor can anyone discover the fullness of God’s way of doing things. This can surely be applied to God’s plan of election. We certainly can’t understand why He chose whom He did, especially since we know that none of us deserve it.

We who are in the Church age should consider ourselves quite fortunate that we have as much insight as we do into God’s redemptive plan, both for the Gentiles and for the Jews. Many of the truths that are contained in the New Testament were foretold by the Prophets of old, and yet they didn’t understand fully even that which they were prophesying about. Not only that, but we are privy to the truth of God’s grace in a way that even the angels of heaven can’t experience . However, they are desirous of looking into and learning about these things. Both these facts are pointed out by the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 1:10-12 which says:

Of this salvation the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, have sought diligently and searched carefully, searching what person, or what time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels long to look into.

At the risk of using a word which is heavily overused and barely understood, let me ask, “Isn’t our God awesome?!”

 

Application

Do you realize the extreme value of your salvation? Even the richest person who has ever lived could not purchase a “get out of Hell” pass. And yet, we who have believed God’s truth about our sinfulness and Christ’s sacrificial death will not have to pay the penalty for our sins. God has paid it for us. Our gift came in the form of a little baby, born in poverty, in a stable among farm animals. Let’s thank God for our free gift!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 8:39 – Eternally Secure

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Truth to Learn

There is nothing that can cause us to lose our salvation. Nothing!

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “height” is hupsōma, which is the noun form of hupsoō, meaning “to elevate, to lift up, or to exalt.” This word refers to a place that is elevated or high up. As used here it is most likely a reference to the heavenly places (both physical and spiritual).

“Depth” is from bathos, which is derived from bathus, meaning deep. Bathos refers to that which is deep. Most scholars agree that this is a reference to Hell which is deep in the heart of the earth.

The words “created thing” are from the Greek word ktisis, which is the noun form of the verb ktidzō, meaning “to create, form, or found.” Earlier in this chapter we discussed whether ktisis referred to a single created thing or to all of creation. The use here is clearly a reference to “any other created thing.”

“Separate” is from coridzō, which we looked at back in verse thirty-five. It means “to put distance between” or “to make things separate from one another.”

 

Meaning Explained

We are reading about the answer to the question, “What shall separate us from the love of Christ?” In yesterday’s verse Paul gave us a list of things, and in today’s verse he completes the list. This list is a delineation of those things which can’t separate us from God’s love.

In this verse we are told that height and depth are included in the list. Paul uses these words as metonyms (where the name of one object is used to represent some related thing or things) to represent all the inhabitants of Heaven and Hell. In the first part of this verse he is saying that there is nothing in the heavens above or in Hell below or any other created thing that can separate us from God’s love.

You will recall that Paul is talking about those of us who have been adopted as God’s children, that is, those who are born-again Christians. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This is a very clear reference to the fact that we cannot get un-saved. We cannot even un-save ourselves according to this verse. If we are saved we cannot “renounce” our salvation, because no created thing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Some may try to argue against this and say, “But God loves all people; isn’t that what John 3:16 says?” Unfortunately, the answer to that is “No.” As we will see in the next chapter, particularly in verse thirteen where it is said of God, “As it is written, ‘Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.’"

 

Application

This verse highlights one of the greatest facts about our adoption by God. We don’t have to worry about losing something we didn’t earn and we don’t deserve. God did it entirely himself out of His love for us. He will never lose that love and there is nothing that can separate us from that love. Nothing! That means we are completely and eternally secure in our salvation! That’s something to think about. More than that, that’s something to praise God about!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 3:18 – Foundational Understanding

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—

Truth to Learn

Christian lives must be based on and rooted in Jesus Christ.

 

Behind the Words

“May be able” is translated from the verb exischuō, a compound word made up of ex, used as an intensifier and ischuō, meaning “to have strength.” Exischuō means “to be in full strength” or “to be abundantly able.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility or probability of this happening.

The word “comprehend” is from the Greek verb katalambanō. This word is made up of kata, used as an intensifier and lambanō, meaning “to take.” Thus, katalambanō means “to completely take” or “to firmly take hold of.” The context indicates that it is a “taking to one’s mind,” that is, “completely understanding” or “fully comprehending.”

“Saints” is from the Greek word hagios, which is based on hagos, meaning “that which inspires awe.” The basic meaning of hagios is “that which is set apart from common use to be used in the service of God.” Therefore, hagios is sometimes translated “holy” or “sanctified.” All Christians have been set-apart from the world and set-apart to God, which is precisely the meaning of the word “saint.” In the Bible this term does not refer to someone who has been declared to be a saint by the church, but someone who has been declared righteous by God.

The word translated “width” is platos, which refers to the breadth or width of something.

“Length” is from the Greek word mēkos, which refers to the length of an object.

Hupsos, which is derived from hupsi (meaning “high”), refers to the height of something.

Finally, the Greek word translated “depth” is bathos, from bathus (meaning “deep”).

 

Meaning Explained

In our discussion of yesterday’s verse, we mentioned that the end of that verse belongs with this verse. When we put them together we read:

that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—

So, what does it mean to be rooted and grounded in love? This could be taken to mean that as Christians all of our actions and deeds spring forth from the ideal of perfect love. Or, it could be taken to mean that all of our deeds and actions spring forth from God who is love according to the Apostle John:

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:8)

Paul uses two separate metaphors to express the source of our knowledge of His love. The first is a botanical metaphor: the source of our understanding is that into which our roots are sunk for nourishment. The second is an architectural metaphor: the base on which we build our understanding is the foundation of our lives – Christ.

Now Paul tells us that as we derive our spiritual nourishment from Him and as we build our life and service on Him, we will understand the width, length, depth, and height of … We will find out “of what” in tomorrow’s verse.

 

Application

Is your life built upon the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ? Are your roots daily getting nourishment from God? Are your deeds based on the foundation that has been laid for us by Jesus, the Apostles, and Prophets? If not, you won’t really understand what God is doing with and to you, and your trials and tribulations will seem difficult. You may even doubt God’s love for you. If so, you will more fully understand God, His love for you, and how He is working in you to make you more like Jesus Christ.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 11:33 – Immeasurable Riches

Romans 11:33 – Immeasurable Riches

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Truth to Learn

God has given us a gift of immeasurable worth.

Behind the Words

The word translated “depth” is the Greek word bathos. This word literally does mean “depth,” but by interpretation it refers to the profundity or the extent of something.

Riches” is translated from ploutos, which refers to “monetary wealth, richness, or abundance of possessions.” So what Paul is proclaiming in the opening part of this verse is how vast and extensive is the abundance of value of both God’s knowledge and of His wisdom.

Meaning Explained

Throughout this eleventh chapter of the book of Romans, Paul has been demonstrating why it was necessary for the Israelites to be rejected. But he also teaches that they will someday be brought back into the fold. In this and the following three verses he will now step back to acknowledge and admire the wisdom and sovereignty of God.

He proclaims that no one can completely search out or fully comprehend God’s judgments, nor can anyone discover the fullness of God’s way of doing things. This can surely be applied to God’s plan of election. We certainly can’t understand why He chose whom He did, especially since we know that none of us deserve it.

We who are in the Church age should consider ourselves quite fortunate that we have as much insight as we do into God’s redemptive plan, both for the Gentiles and for the Jews. Many of the truths that are contained in the New Testament were foretold by the Prophets of old, and yet they didn’t understand fully even that which they were prophesying about. Not only that, but we are privy to the truth of God’s grace in a way that even the angels of heaven can’t experience and yet they are desirous of looking into and learning about these things. Both these facts are pointed out by the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 1:10-12 which says:

Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

At the risk of using a word which is heavily overused and barely understood, let me ask, “Isn’t our God awesome?!”

Application

Do you realize the extreme value of your salvation? Even the richest person who has ever lived could not purchase a “get out of Hell” pass. And yet, we who have believed God’s truth about our sinfulness and Christ’s sacrificial death will not have to pay the penalty for our sins. God has paid it for us. Our gift came in the form of a little baby, born in poverty, in a stable among farm animals. Let’s thank God for our free gift!

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 8:39 – Eternally Secure

Romans 8:39 – Eternally Secure

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Truth to Learn

There is nothing that can cause us to lose our salvation.

Behind the Words

The word translated “height” is hupsōma, which is the noun form of hupsoō, meaning “to elevate, to lift up, or to exalt.” This word refers to a place that is elevated or high up. As used here it is most likely a reference to the heavenly places (both physical and spiritual).

Depth” is from bathos, which is derived from bathus, meaning deep. Bathos refers to that which is deep. Most scholars agree that this is a reference to Hell which is deep in the heart of the earth.

The words “created thing” are from the Greek word ktisis, which is the noun form of the verb ktidzō, meaning “to create, form, or found.” Earlier in this chapter we discussed whether ktisis referred to a single created thing or to all of creation. The use here is clearly a reference to “any other created thing.”

Separate” is from coridzō, which we looked at back in verse thirty-five. It means “to put distance between” or “to make things separate from one another.”

Meaning Explained

We are reading about the answer to the question, “What shall separate us from the love of Christ?” In yesterday’s verse Paul gave us a list of things, and in today’s verse he completes the list. This list is a delineation of those things which can’t separate us from God’s love.

In this verse we are told that height and depth are included in the list. Paul uses these words as metonyms (where the name of one object is used to represent some related thing or things) to represent all the inhabitants of Heaven and Hell. In the first part of this verse he is saying that there is nothing in the heavens above or in Hell below or any other created thing that can separate us from God’s love.

You will recall that Paul is talking about those of us who have been adopted as God’s children, that is, those who are born-again Christians. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This is a very clear reference to the fact that we cannot get un-saved. We cannot even un-save ourselves according to this verse. If we are saved we cannot “renounce” our salvation, because no created thing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Some may try to argue against this and say, “But God loves all people; isn’t that what John 3:16 says?” Unfortunately, the answer to that is “No.” As we will see in the next chapter, particularly in verse thirteen where it is said of God, “As it is written, ‘Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.’”

Application

This verse highlights one of the greatest facts about our adoption by God. We don’t have to worry about losing something we didn’t earn and we don’t deserve. God did it entirely himself out of His love for us. He will never lose that love and there is nothing that can separate us from that love. Nothing! That means we are completely and eternally secure in our salvation! That’s something to think about.

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: