Tag: boldly

Romans 15:15 – Always Growing

Posted on by Will

Nevertheless, brothers, I wrote more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God,

Truth to Learn

We should always be learning and becoming more Christ-like.

 

Behind the Words

“More boldly” is a translation of the Greek word tolmēroteron, which is based on tolmaō, meaning “to be confidently bold.” Tolmēroteron is the comparative form of the word so it means “more boldly, with more confidence.”

The word “reminding” is from epanamimnēskō. This is a double compound word made up of epi, meaning “upon” used here as an intensifier, ana, meaning “again,” and mimnēskō, which means “to recall to one’s mind” or “to remember.” Thus, epanamimnēskō means “to strongly remind yet again.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul is here explaining to the Christians in Rome why he has been so forceful in his admonition of these brothers and sisters in Christ even though he has never personally met any of them. He starts off by saying that he has written these things to them “more boldly.” Here we have to ask ourselves, “More boldly than what?” Paul was in the habit of being very “up front” and bold whenever he preached and taught, but he doesn’t appear to be more bold with his teaching to these Roman Christians than he was with others. On the other hand, he is being more bold and “up front” with these Christians whom he has never met than he would normally be with strangers. Paul will explain in the next verse why he has taken such a bold step with these brothers and sisters in Rome.

He goes on to tell them that he is reminding them of things that they have already known. But why would he be going over doctrinal truths that they already knew? The answer to that is, because this is the Apostles’ teaching style. They did not simply teach a truth once and then leave it alone. They taught the important truths of Christian living over and over again. Peter made a similar claim regarding his teaching:

For this reason I will not neglect to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. But I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, (2Peter 1:12-13)

Some people are capable of learning a lesson the very first time they are taught it. Most of us, however, need to be told over and over before it sinks in thoroughly. That’s why Paul and others repeated important truths, so that we all might get a firm grasp of these truths.

Next time you hear your pastor or priest proclaim a message that he has proclaimed previously, instead of complaining, thank him for reminding you of these blessed truths.

 

Application

There is a story of a newly hired preacher who proclaimed the same sermon week after week. When asked by those who hired him if he knew any other sermons, he responded, “Yes, of course, and as soon as you demonstrate that you have learned this lesson, I will preach the next one.” Are you learning the lessons that God is teaching to you and putting them into practice?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:19 – Pray for Paul?

Posted on by Will

and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Truth to Learn

All of us need prayers, especially regarding our ministries.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “utterance” is logos, which is derived from the verb legō, meaning “to speak or to say something intelligible.” Thus, logos refers to “something spoken” and is often translated as “word, saying, or discourse.” It is expressed here in the singular. Therefore, we could translate this as “a message” or “a word.”

 “Boldly” is translated from the Greek word parrēsia, which is a compound word made up of pas, meaning “all” or “every” and rhēsis, meaning “the act of speaking.” Therefore, this word means “all speaking” or “all freedom or frankness of speech.”

The words “make known” are from the verb gnōridzō, which is based on the same root as ginōskō, meaning “to know.” Gnoridzō means “to make known” or “to declare.”

“Mystery” is transliterated (carried directly from one language to another) from musterion. In the New Testament this word refers to something that has been hidden in the past but which is now being made known.

Meaning Explained

After Paul finished his description of the Christian’s spiritual armor, he told us that we need to pray constantly with all kinds of prayers and that we need to be watchful. Our enemy doesn’t like it when we talk to our Commander-in-Chief, because he knows that it will make us stronger.

While on the subject of prayer, the Apostle now asks for prayer for himself as well. There are two specific requests that Paul makes. The first is that he might be given something to say. The second thing he asks for is that he might boldly open his mouth to make known the mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do these seem a little strange to you? They do to me.

Here we have one of the greatest evangelistic preachers of all time asking others to talk to God about giving him something to say and to give him boldness to say it. This is the very same person who boldly stood before some of the greatest thinkers of his time at the Areopagus (see Acts chapter seventeen) to proclaim the Gospel message.

If there were ever a person that we didn’t think needed prayer, it would be the Apostle Paul, especially prayer for boldness in proclaiming the Gospel. Perhaps the reason that Paul was so successful in his proclamation of the Gospel was because he had a lot of people praying for his ministry!

Also notice the subject matter of Paul’s prayer request. What he asks for is something that will result in glory being given to God. He’s not asking for his own sake, he’s asking for something that will result in God getting all the praise.

Application

Next time you’re in a group that is about to pray and prayer requests are expressed, notice how many of those requests are focused on personal issues. I’m not saying that Aunt Suzie’s arthritis or the Jones’ financial problems aren’t appropriate for prayer, but how much glory will God receive when those requests are answered? Instead, let us all learn to focus our prayers on things that will bring glory and praise to our God.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved