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Romans 4:2 – No Bragging

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Will

For if Abraham was justified by works, he has a boast, but not before God.

Truth to Learn

Abraham was not saved by doing good works.

Behind the Words

“Boast” is translated from kauchēma, which is derived from the verb kauchaomai, meaning “to brag” or “to boast.” Kauchēma refers to the object of bragging or “something worthy of bragging.”

The word translated “before” is pros, which relates the object “toward” which something is directed. In this case, Paul is saying that Abraham has nothing about which he can brag toward God.

Meaning Explained

Paul is continuing on with the rhetorical question that he posed in the previous verse. These few verses are where he is demonstrating to the Jewish Christians in Rome the truth about what he has been saying for most of this letter, namely that justification comes by faith, not works.

Although it might look like circular reasoning at first glance, here’s what John Calvin said about the sense of this verse,

If Abraham was justified by his works, he might boast of his own merits. But he has no ground of boasting before God. Therefore he was not justified by works.

You see, if Abraham did have some grounds for boasting, he would have boasted about them to God. But he never did because by his own acts he knew he was not worthy of justification. Hence, he was not justified by works. If you read Genesis 11:27 – Genesis 25:10 you will see that, although Abraham did some amazing and faith-full things in his life, he had a problem with lying, especially concerning Sarah his wife. This is not the sort of thing that would qualify someone to be justified by works, is it?

On the surface it may appear that Paul’s and James’ teachings with regard to faith and works are at odds, for James said:

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. (James 2:23-24)

This is the problem with quoting Scripture out of context. For you see, James is not teaching that righteousness is achieved by works. On the contrary, he is teaching that works are the proof of faith and its resultant righteousness. If a person has genuine faith in the blood of Jesus Christ then his or her works will give evidence of saving faith. I’m sure that we all can think of someone who claims to be a Christian but doesn’t act like one. James would say that this person has no faith because they have no works to prove it, and Paul would agree.

Application

All Christians should be doing good works. Not to gain salvation, or to receive complete sanctification, and certainly not to keep from losing salvation. We should be doing good works because it’s what our Heavenly Father does and it’s what He wants us to be doing. It demonstrates our family resemblance. It’s part of the family business!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 4:8 – Demonstrate Fervent Love

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Will

Above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.

Truth to Learn

Love means forgetting your own pain in order to help a brother or sister grow in grace.

Behind the Words

The expression “above all things” is translated from the Greek words pro pantōn. The word pro means “before.” It can refer to place, time, or importance. In this case, it refers to importance. The word pantōn means “all things.” Hence, Peter is literally saying “before all things,” that is, having more importance than all other things.

“Love” is translated from agapē, which in fact does mean “love.” But it is only one of several Greek words that is translated that way. The best way to describe this type of love is that it is the kind of love which is more concerned about the well being of the loved one than of self.

The word “fervent” is from the Greek word ektenēs, which literally means “stretched out.” As used here it means “continual or intense.”

The word translated “cover” is kaluptō, which means “to hide or cover.” The opposite of this is the Greek word apokaluptō, meaning “to uncover” or “to reveal” from which we get our English word apocalypse.

Meaning Explained

Since we know that our time is short, as stated in the previous verse, we need to be serious and dedicate ourselves to prayer. But, Peter tells us in this verse, of greater importance than even these things, we need to have fervent love for one another. Since Peter is writing this letter to Christians (1Peter 1:1, 2), it means that we are to love our fellow Christians with a self-sacrificing love, being more concerned for their well-being than our own. But it’s not just love, it is “fervent love” that we are to have for one another.

Why are we commanded to have fervent love for each other? Peter says it’s because love covers (or hides) a multitude of sins. This is not to say that we are to ignore the sins of a brother or sister. It means that we are to love each other this way so that we will be gracious and forgiving of each other’s faults. We need to be more concerned about the well-being of our Christian brothers and sisters than our own selfish motives and feelings. If a brother of sister is living in sin, we have a responsibility to approach him or her in a loving (agapē) manner with his or her ultimate good in mind. It also means that when a brother or sister sins against us, we need to be more concerned for their spiritual well-being than our own bruised selfish pride. Again, it doesn’t mean that we ignore the offense; rather, it means that we approach the offender in a loving (agapē) way to let him or her know that they injured us, having already forgiven them and freed them of any blame.

Keep in mind that love is an action verb, not just a feeling. In light of what Peter just told us in the previous verse (“the end of all things is near” and “be self-controlled unto prayer”), we should consistently demonstrate fervent love to our Christian brothers and sisters.

Application

When we approach a Christian brother or sister who is living in sin or who has offended us, we need to do it while standing in their shoes. We need to confront them lovingly the way we would want someone to treat us if the tables were turned.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 1:20 – Determined Ahead of Time

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Will

He indeed was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times because of you

Truth to Learn

Before the creation of the heavens and the earth, God determined that Christ would die for your sins and mine.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “foreknown” is proegnosmenou, which is a compound of pro, meaning “before” and a form of ginoskō, meaning “to know.” This word means “to know beforehand” or “to determine beforehand.”

The expression “before the foundation of the world” comes from the Greek, pro katabolēs kosmou. The word pro, as we just learned means “before,” katabolēs literally means “to throw down” which refers to “laying a foundation,” and kosmou is our familiar friend “cosmos” or “world system. “

Meaning Explained

It’s interesting to look at all three verses in the Bible that contain the expression pro katabolēs kosmou.

Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am; … for you loved me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4)

who in fact was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times because of you (1 Peter 1:20)

These verses tell us three things that happened at what is referred to as “the council of God,” which occurred before time began: 1) the three persons of the Godhead had love for one another, 2) we were chosen for salvation and given by the Father to the Son, and 3) the sacrificial death of the Lamb of God (Jesus, the Son) was determined (ordained). God didn’t just create things and then “let it happen.” He has a plan for the ages and everything is being worked out exactly as He planned.

The last part of today’s verse tells us that, although the prophets didn’t understand the messages they were delivering because it was not yet revealed, the reality and significance of the death of Jesus Christ has been made known in these last days (the time in God’s plan in which you and I are living.)

Application

God has revealed the plan of salvation to us today in a way and to a degree never before experienced by mankind. How can we ignore that which He has put so much effort into revealing to us. There are more copies of the Holy Scriptures available in more languages and more translations than at any other time since the creation of the world! There is more preaching, there are more radio messages, and there are more television broadcasts about the Bible than ever before!

And yet, 2 Timothy 4:3 says:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires …

What are you doing with God’s Word today?

In God's service, for His glory,

James 4:10 – Useful Humility

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Will

Be humbled before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Truth to Learn

Being humbled in God’s presence is precisely what He wants of us!

Behind the Words

“Humbled” is translated from the Greek verb tapeinoō, which is an old verb from the noun tapeinos, meaning “low, particularly of attitude or social position.” This verb is expressed in the imperative mood, indicating a command. But, this verb is also expressed by James in the passive voice indicating that the action is being done to the subject (be humbled!)

The word “before” is a translation of the adverb enōpion, which is made up of en, meaning “in” and a form of ōps, meaning “the eyes” or “the face, as represented by the eyes.” Hence, it literally means “in the eyes of” but has the meaning of “in the presence of” or “before.”

“He will exalt you” is translated from the Greek verb hupsoō (from hopsos, meaning “height” or “elevation.”) This verb, therefore, means “to be raised up to an elevated position.” It is expressed here in the future tense and is translated as “He will exalt.”

Meaning Explained

When we truly see our sinfulness as God does, we have no choice but to be humbled before Him. We are told in 1 John 1:9 that if we confess our sins, He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The word “confess” is homologeō, which means “to be of the same mind as God” concerning our sins. When we truly confront our sins and see them as God sees them, we naturally place ourselves humbly before Him. Seeing ourselves as sinners before a holy and pure God. Bowing before Him in our hearts puts us exactly where He wants us, where He can use us for His glory. When we are completely humbled before God, James says that He will lift us up (exalt us). Notice the play on words, when we become humbled (made low) before Him, He will elevate us (made high).

The Apostle Peter puts it this way in 1 Peter 5:6:

Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

The word translated “due time” is kairos which means “the proper time” or “the proper occasion.” The word translated as “exalt” in 1 Peter 5:6 is the same word that appears in the end of James’ verse as “exalt you.” In other words, if we will humble ourselves before our Holy God, He will lift us up when His timing is right and we can be used for His Glory!

Application

Let me encourage each one of you to examine your life and your walk with the Lord. Are you living for Him, or are you living for yourself? The only way to truly be at peace in this world is to be completely submitted to God, willing to go and to do as He commands you through His Word and by His Spirit. If you aren’t regularly humbled before God, you will be subject to the temptations of the world system. You will have bitter envying and strife in your hearts as James talked about in the previous chapter, and you will have battles and arguements as he talks about in this chapter. But the person who is submitted and committed, humbled before the mighty hand of God, is usable by God and is at peace!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 3:13 – Blameless Saints

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Will

so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Truth to Learn

God will declare all genuine Christians to be blameless.

Behind the Words

“Establish” is translated from stēridzō, which is a derivative of histemi, meaning “to stand.” Stēridzō means “to set firmly in place.”

The word translated “blameless” is amemptos, which is composed of the privative a, meaning “without” and a form of the verb memphomai, meaning “to find fault.” Thus, amemptos means “without fault” or “blameless.”

Hagiosunē is the Greek word translated “holiness.” It is derived from the noun hagios, meaning “set apart” or “holy.” Holiness means to be completely set apart from sin and its consequence.

Back in verse nine we learned that the word translated “before” is emprosthen, which means “in the presence of” or “before.”

The word “coming” is from parousia. This word is derived from pareimi, meaning “to be present.” Parousia can refer either to the presence of something or it can refer to the coming of someone into our presence.

Meaning Explained

We are in the midst of a prayer by the Apostle Paul in behalf of the Christians in Thessalonica. In yesterday’s verse he prayed that God would increase the love that these Christians have for one another and for all people. The reason Paul gives for this growing and strengthening of their love for all is “so that He may establish (make firm) your hearts [as] without fault …”

Some people have used this as an indication that some may lose their salvation if they don’t properly show their love to others. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In the Apostle John’s first letter he said,

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:7, 8)

In other words, John tells us that showing love for others is the evidence of salvation, not a condition of salvation. If you are saved, you will love others. If you don’t have a genuine love for others, you are not born of God.

Now Paul tells us that God will establish us blameless “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” This coming of the Lord may be a reference to the rapture or to His coming at the end of the Tribulation. It is more likely, however, that it refers to both events. Either way, it is when all believers will be judicially declared to have the righteousness of Christ. In God’s eyes (since He is not bound by time) this has already occurred, but for us (who are bound by time) it will occur at His coming.

Application

Periodically, each of us needs to calibrate our own salvation. One of the signs that we are genuinely a child of God is that we have love for the brethren and for all people. That doesn’t mean that we have to approve of the sinful actions of others. We are supposed to hate the sin but love the sinner. Do you regularly show love to others?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 14:22 – In His Presence

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Will

Romans 14:22 – In His Presence

Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

Truth to Learn

Living in God’s presence affects our decisions and choices.

Behind the Words

The word translated “faith” is pistis, which means “that about which we have been persuaded” or “that which we believe.”

“Before” is translated from enōpion. This is made up of en, meaning “in” and a form of ops, which literally refers to the eyes but figuratively refers to the face. Hence, enōpion means “in the face of, in the presence of, or before.”

The word “happy” is translated from the Greek word makarios. This is an unfortunate translation because happy (from the root hap meaning “luck as a favorable circumstance”) actually refers to the joy that comes from good fortune. Makarios, on the other hand, refers to a state of blessedness in which peace and satisfaction come from God, not favorable circumstances.

Meaning Explained

Now Paul tells us how to discern whether or not we should do something. This is of extreme importance as it applies to all those things which are not specifically identified as wrong in the New Testament. This would include such things as: Should I accept an offer for a new job? Should I buy a particular house or a new car at this time? Is it okay if I drink a glass of wine? None of these things are strictly forbidden and we are not likely to hear the voice of God giving us direct revelation regarding these things.

Paul starts off by asking, “Do you have faith?” In other words, “aren’t you saved by faith and through faith have a relationship with God?” This, of course, is a rhetorical question and the answer is obviously, “Yes!” He goes on to say, “Have it to yourself before God.” That is, since you are saved and have a relationship with God, make it a personal relationship. Believe what you believe because God has convicted you and converse with God about everything you do, especially those things about which specific direction is not given in the Bible. Live your life in His presence. That is, live your life with the awareness that God is present with you at all times.

Finally, Paul tells us that we are blessed, that is, at peace with God, when we do not condemn ourselves for those things which we approve. There are many decisions that we make daily. When we follow through with a personal decision we are “approving” the decision and acting on it. Blessing, or peace with God, comes when we are not judging our own actions to be wrong in the presence of God. As the Apostle John said:

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. (IJohn 3:21)

We Christians should live our lives recognizing that we are always in God’s presence. As His servants we are to obey him. As His children we should want to please Him, so we should make our decisions in a manner that will please Him. If what we are about to do is wrong, He will let us know because our conscience will be troubled. Paul will finish these thoughts in the next verse.

Application

Are you living your life in the presence of God? Doing so will have an impact on how you live your life. Remember, ignoring God doesn’t mean you aren’t in His presence!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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