Tag: chosen

Romans 16:13 – A Choice Christian

Posted on by Will

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Truth to Learn

Some Christians stand out as “choice” within the church.

Behind the Words

The name “Rufus” is of Roman (Latin) origin, meaning “red.”

“Chosen” is translated from the noun eklektos, which is based on the verb eklegomai, meaning “to select” or “to choose.” Eklektos primarily refers to one or the thing which has been chosen, but it can just as well be a reference to quality, as we might refer to a “choice piece of fruit.”

The word “mother” is from the Greek word mētēr, meaning “mother” either literally or figuratively.

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul now sends greetings to a man named Rufus. Although we don’t know anything for sure about this man other than what we are told here, there has been a great deal of conjecture over the years. Before we look at conjecture, though, let’s see what Paul says about him. We are told here that Rufus is “chosen in the Lord.” As we pointed out above, “chosen” is from eklektos. So, what Paul could be saying is that Rufus is one of the elect, one of the chosen ones. The problem with that is that this same Apostle Paul teaches us in his letter to the Ephesians that all Christians are chosen:

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, for us to be holy and without blemish before Him in love, (Ephesians 1:4)

Although none of us can fully comprehend how God can say “You I have chosen” and at the same time proclaim “Whosoever will may come,” they are both true nonetheless. And since all believers are “chosen,” it doesn’t make sense that Paul would single out Rufus as a chosen one in his personal greetings. Therefore, it makes more sense that what he is telling us is that Rufus is a “choice” Christian, one who is exemplary in his words and deeds.

Paul also sends greetings to Rufus’ mother referring to her as “his mother and mine.” That does not mean that Rufus was Paul’s brother, for there is no evidence of this anywhere in scripture or secular writing. It is more likely that what Paul means is Rufus’ mother was like a mother to him.

Now, regarding the speculation about Rufus: we read in Mark 15:21 about Simon of Cyrene who was compelled to bear our Lord’s cross. Mark tells us that he was “the father of Alexander and Rufus.” From this it is reasonable to conclude that when Mark wrote his Gospel, Alexander and Rufus may have been well known as Christians. And, since this letter to the Romans was written some twenty-five years after the crucifixion, there is plenty of time for Rufus to have matured into a Christian worthy of note. It is also believed by some that this Rufus is one and the same with the man who became bishop of the church in Thebes. If these things are true, then it is no wonder that Paul greets him as a “choice” Christian.

Application

We see once again that God, through Paul’s pen, sends special greetings to someone who stands out above the rest in his walk with the Lord. If God were to have such a letter written to your church, would He send special greetings to you?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 8:33 – Chosen to be Sinless

Posted on by Will

Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? God is the one who justifies.

Truth to Learn

God declares His chosen ones to be completely righteous.

 

Behind the Words

“Bring a charge” is from engkaleō, which is a compound word made up of en, meaning “in” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” So, literally this word means “to call in.” Originally it was used with regard to a debt that was “called-in” when it was due. In general usage it has come to mean “to bring a charge against or to accuse someone.”

The word translated “chosen.” It is the Greek word eklektos, from the verb eklegō, which is made up of ek, meaning “out” and legō, meaning “to select or choose through thoughtful deliberation.” Hence, eklektos refers to someone or something that has been chosen or selected out of a larger group.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul now continues with his volcanic eruption regarding the benefits of being God’s children. The first thing we learned is that God is Almighty and will do all to protect us and bless us because we are His adopted children. In other words, we are safe from any evil force. But, if our enemy can’t get to us by force, he will try to get to us by subtlety. He will accuse us of unrighteousness, which makes us feel unworthy to be God’s children. That’s what Paul is addressing in the current verse. Notice Paul’s play on words here. He says “Who will bring a charge (engkaleō – call in) against God's chosen ones (eklektos – chosen out ones)?”

Now here is where those who don’t believe in God’s election have a problem. Paul is asking, “Who shall make an accusation against those whom God has chosen?” Now if you don’t believe in election (which says you have believed the gospel message and are saved because God chose you, not because you chose to believe) then this verse doesn’t make sense.

Paul, on the other hand, very much believes in election and teaches it throughout his letters. In fact, the first few chapters of this letter to the Roman Christians were spent explaining how justification comes by grace through faith, not as the result of anything that we have done. And, because God is the one who has declared us righteous (nowhere in the Bible does it teach that God ever removes that righteousness from our account) then it doesn’t matter who brings a charge against us. God’s response is that we are righteous according to His records; therefore the charge will not stand because, “God has declared us righteous.”

Thus we see that according to this verse, it doesn’t matter how bad a sin we commit, it has already been paid for by Christ’s blood, and in God’s eyes we are free from sin because we have been given the righteousness of Christ. We don’t deserve this righteousness, we deserve eternity in Hell, but we are righteous because God has chosen us and declared us to be righteous.

 

Application

Now, just because we have been declared righteous doesn’t mean we are free to sin all we want. The One who declared us righteous also tells us that if we love Him, we will obey Him. And we should love Him gratefully because of what He has done for us. Thank you God, for the gift that I don’t deserve! And, thank you God, for not giving me what I do deserve!

Do I hear an “Amen”?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Peter 2:4 – A Precious Stone

Posted on by Will

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,

Truth to Learn

We have the great privilege of directly approaching our Lord.

 

Behind the Words

“Coming” is translated from the Greek word proserchomai, made up of pros, meaning “to” or “toward,” and erchomai, meaning “to come” or “to go.” Adding pros to the verb, which already means “to come,” intensifies the intent. Hence, the meaning is “coming very near to Him.” This is further intensified by the words pros on (meaning “to Him”) which appear before proserchomai. Finally, this word is expressed as a present tense participle indicating continuous, repeated action. Hence, the first part of this verse could be paraphrased as, “Continually coming directly to Him …”

The word translated “rejected” is the Greek word, apodokimadzo, which means “to disapprove” or “to reject.”

“Chosen” is translated from eklektos, which means “the selected one,” or “the chosen one.”

The word “precious” is the Greek word entimos, made up of en, meaning “in” and a form of time, meaning “honor, esteem, or value.” It is used here to describe the chosen one; He is “the honored chosen one” or “the precious chosen one.”

 

Meaning Explained

The “Him” in this verse refers to “the Lord” in the previous verse. This is an obvious reference to Jesus our risen Lord. Those of us who have experienced salvation and God’s provision, repeatedly come to Him. He is referred to here as “a living stone,” which is a reference to Isaiah 28:16 which says:

Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste

or possibly to Psalms 118:22 which says:

The stone which the builders rejected has become the headstone of the corner.

Not only was Christ rejected and crucified by the Jews, but He continues to be rejected by unbelievers on a daily basis. This same stone who was rejected by men has been chosen by God, according to Peter. Furthermore, he tells us that He was selected as the Honored One.

This Christ, or Lord, unto whom we came at salvation and unto whom we come daily for forgiveness and spiritual sustenance, was chosen by the trinity before time began to be to one who would become a man, live a perfect life, and willingly give that life for us. He is the One who has become the foundation for the church universal, to be built upon by those who would accept His sacrifice and willingly serve Him. Peter’s next verse will complete this thought.

 

Application

Think about how often you come to Christ for comfort or direction, either in prayer or through the reading of His Word. You do so because you have a privileged relationship. Because you have accepted the gift of salvation, you are the children of God; therefore, you can come to the living stone. And because of this you can offer yourself as an additional building block of the church universal when you submit to Him and serve Him.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Peter 1:2 – God Selected

Posted on by Will

chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Truth to Learn

God chose us to be saved.

 

Behind the Words

“Chosen” is translated from the Greek word eklectos, meaning “one who is selected or chosen.” It is from the verb eklegō, which means “to select or chose through thoughtful and deliberate consideration.” This word actually occurs in verse one but is included here for continuity and clarity.

The word translated “foreknowledge” is translated from prognōsis, a compound word made up of pro, meaning “before” and a form of ginōskō, which means “to know.” Hence, it means “to have knowledge or recognition of something before it occurs.”

 

Meaning Explained

I’m going to take a risky walk across some thorny ground on today’s verse. Not because I believe this verse is unclear or not corroborated by the rest of scripture (which it most certainly is), but because the whole doctrine of election, of God’s choosing us to be saved, is much argued. The Biblical Scholar Albert Barnes once said the following in reference to the Apostle Paul’s teaching on election:

There is no doctrine that is usually so unpopular; none that is so much reproached; none that is so much abused. There is none that people desire so much to disbelieve or avoid; none that they are so unwilling to have preached; and none that they are so reluctant to find in the Scriptures. Even many Christians turn away from it with dread; or if they “tolerate” it, they yet feel that there is something about it that is especially dark and forbidding. Not so felt Paul. He felt that it laid the foundation for eternal praise; that it presented glorious views of God; that it was the ground of confidence and hope; and that it was desirable that Christians should dwell upon it and praise God for it.

Peter, here, makes no excuse for God’s actions but states very simply that we are, “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God …” He does not state what it was that God foreknew about us. Some have speculated that he foreknew who would accept his offer of salvation and, therefore, chose them, but if that were true then it would no longer be God’s choice, would it? We don’t know what it was about us that God foreknew which caused him to choose us. What we do know is that it isn’t fair! If God were fair we would get what we deserve, eternity in the lake of fire.

God the Father is only one part of the Godhead who was involved in our salvation, however. The other two members of the Godhead were involved as well. The Father chose, the Spirit sanctified, that is, He made us holy and pure, He set us apart and baptized (placed) us into the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13) resulting in obedience, and Jesus, the Son, sprinkled us with His blood, marking us as His own and ceremonially cleansing us of our sin. All this, and much more, occurred when we were saved.

 

Application

Nothing is so humbling and so motivating to service than the realization that God chose me to be His child, not because I deserved it, but simply because He decided to. Thank you most holy and righteous God for choosing me, an undeserving sinner, to be your child.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Peter 1:1 – From Peter, To All Christians

Posted on by Will

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen sojourners of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Truth to Learn

If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins then this letter, written by the Apostle Peter, is for you.

 

Behind the Words

The word “chosen” is translated from eklektois, meaning “chosen ones” or “the elect”. This word is derived from eklego, which means “to choose for oneself after thoughtful and deliberate consideration.

The word translated “sojourners” is parepidēmois, which is a double compound word made up of para, meaning “beside, near, or close to,” epi, meaning “over, upon, or among,” and dēmos, meaning “a people.” This word literally refers to someone who has become integrated among a nation of people. Hence, its full meaning is a foreigner who has settled down, however briefly, next to or among the native people.

“Dispersion” is translated from the Greek word diasporas, which literally refers to “the dispersion.” This is the same term used by James in the opening of his letter. It is a specific reference to Jews as they were dispersed throughout the world since the Babylonian captivity.

 

Meaning Explained

Peter opens this letter with a typical salutation indicating, first off, who the letter is from. Historically, there never has been any doubt as to who this letter was from. The unvarying testimony of history, and the uniform belief of the church, both ascribe this Epistle to Peter. Indeed, there is likely no ancient writing whatever of which there is more certainty in regard to its authorship.

Having identified who the letter is from, Peter now identifies who the letter is to. Since the expression “sojourners of the dispersion” refers specifically to Jews, we have to ask ourselves, “Was this letter written to Jews or to Christians?” As you will discover from reading the book of Acts, most early converts to Christianity were Jews. Because of this, many people in the first century, especially Jews, considered Christianity simply a sect of Judaism. 1 Peter 1:3 makes it clear, however, that he is writing to Jews of the dispersion who are also believers in the resurrection of Christ (who … has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead).

Although it appears from this verse that Peter is writing to Jews who had converted to Christianity, it becomes apparent as one reads this letter that he recognized that the Christians he was writing to also included Gentiles (pagans) who had converted to Christianity. Gentile readers would have noted Peter’s exhortation to holy living in light of their background of complete ignorance of God’s Word (1Peter 1:14). Gentile Christians also would have been greatly encouraged by the fact that though they were in ignorance, they were now considered “the people of God” (1Peter 2:10). Clearly Peter carefully included both Jewish and Gentile Christians in his letter of encouragement to the churches of Asia Minor.

The specific Christians Peter is writing to were those who lived in the areas of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. These were all provinces of Asia Minor which are in present day Turkey, the area of the world first evangelized by the Apostle Paul and his associates.

 

Application

Even though this letter was written nearly two thousand years ago to Jews and Gentiles who had become Christians living in Asia Minor, the truths that Peter teaches in this letter apply to all Christians throughout history, in all parts of the world. This letter is to you, my sister or brother in Christ!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 2:5 – Poor Heirs

Posted on by Will

Listen, my beloved brothers: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those loving Him?

Truth to Learn

If God has chosen the poor and the weak to be His children, why do we put so much importance in recognizing those who are rich and powerful?

Behind the Words

“Listen” is translated from akouō, which means “to hear.” The word is used here in the imperative mood, which indicates a command. It is as if James were saying, “Listen up and hear what I have to say to you!”

The word translated “chosen” is a form of eklegō, a compound word made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of,” and legō, meaning “to say” or “to select.” This word is used here in the aorist tense, implying past action performed at a single point in time. It is also expressed in the middle voice, meaning action that is performed by the subject on himself. Hence, this phrase could be translated as, “did not God select for Himself the poor of this world.”

The word “heirs” is translated from klēronomos. This is a compound word made up of klēros, which means “a lot” or “a portion” and nomos, which refers to the law, but which originally meant “to partition” or “to distribute.” Hence, klēronomos literally means one to whom portions are distributed, that is, an inheritor or an heir.

Meaning Explained

James carries the admonition of the preceding verses one step further by pointing out that God has chosen the poor of this world and has made them rich in faith. Not only does God not show favoritism to those who we might consider more desirable, but he seems to prefer the lowly and downtrodden. Perhaps He does so because they are more humble and more willing to honor God, who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Paul, in his first epistle to the Corinthians also speaks of the poor weak ones whom God has chosen rather than the great and mighty:

For ye see your calling, brothers, that there are not many wise men according to flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, who are called: But God chose the foolish things of the world to put the wise to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and low-born things of the world, and things which are despised, and things which are not, so that He might bring to nothing things that are: that no flesh might glory in his presence. (1Corinthians 1:26-29)

You see, compared to God, even the richest man is poor. And compared to God, even the most powerful and noble people are weak and beggarly.

Application

Let us welcome all who come to hear the Word of God, no matter what their outward appearance, race, national origin, or financial position! We are God’s subjects and ambassadors, so let us represent our King as He would represent Himself!

Let us welcome the poor of this world, just as God has done.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 1:27 – God’s “Foolish” Choice

Posted on by Will

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

Truth to Learn

God purposely choose weak and foolish sinners to be His.

Behind the Words

The words “has chosen” are from the Greek verb eklegō. This word is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and legō, meaning “to select” or “to choose.” Thus, eklegō means “to choose out” or “to select out.” It is expressed in the aorist tense, indicating action that was completed at a point in time in the past. It is also expressed in the middle voice, indicating something that the subject (God) has done to or for Himself.

“Put to shame” is translated from the verb kataischunō, which is made up of kata, meaning “down” (used here as an intensifier) and aischunō meaning “to put to shame.” Kataischunō literally means “to shame down, to disgrace, or completely put to shame.”

Asthenēs is the Greek word translated “weak things.” It is composed of the privative a, meaning “without” and sthenos, which refers to “physical strength.”

Ischuros it the word translated “things which are mighty.” It literally means “strong, mighty, or powerful things.”

Meaning Explained

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul has put together an exquisite rhetorical argument against those who put their faith in the world system. It started back in verse eighteen where he said, “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.” He then went on to show how foolish the supposed “wisdom” of the world is compared to God’s wisdom and how weak the “strength” of the world is compared to God’s strength. He further declared that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” In yesterday’s verse, he pointed his finger directly at the Corinthians (and at us) declaring that very few of us who have been called into His family are worldly wise, powerful, or of noble birth.

Now, in this verse and the two that follow, Paul spotlights the true wisdom in God’s plan. Here he says that God intentionally chose people for Himself who are foolish in the eyes of the world and people who are weak in the eyes of the world. Notice that God had purpose in His choosing. For those who don’t accept the doctrine of election, preferring to believe that God’s choice was based on who would eventually believe the gospel, such thinking contradicts what Paul is teaching here. If God's choice was based upon who would believe the good news, then there would have been a more random cross section of humanity chosen. Instead, God purposely focused His selection primarily on those of us who are weak and foolish.

Why would He do such a thing? Paul says that His purpose has always been to demonstrate to the wise and powerful that they are the real fools. One day they will stand before the wise and powerful Judge and their shame will be overwhelming.

Application

These truths should once again drive us to our knees in thankfulness that He chose us weak, foolish, undeserving sinners to be His children. And God gets all the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

Romans 16:13 – A Choice Christian

Posted on by Will

Romans 16:13 – A Choice Christian

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Truth to Learn

Some Christians stand out as “choice” within the church.

Behind the Words

The name “Rufus” is of Roman (Latin) origin, meaning “red.”

“Chosen” is translated from the noun eklektos, which is based on the verb eklegomai, meaning “to select” or “to choose.” Eklektos primarily refers to one or the thing which has been chosen, but it can just as well be a reference to quality, as we might refer to a “choice piece of fruit.”

The word “mother” is from the Greek word mētēr, meaning “mother” either literally or figuratively.

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul now sends greetings to a man named Rufus. Although we don’t know anything for sure about this man other than what we are told here, there has been a great deal of conjecture over the years. Before we look at conjecture, though, let’s see what Paul says about him. We are told here that Rufus is “chosen in the Lord.” As we pointed out above, “chosen” is from eklektos. So, what Paul could be saying is that Rufus is one of the elect, one of the chosen ones. The problem with that is that this same Apostle Paul teaches us in his letter to the Ephesians that all Christians are chosen:

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (Ephesians 1:4)

Although none of us can fully comprehend how God can say “You I have chosen” and at the same time proclaim “Whosoever will may come,” they are both true nonetheless. And since all believers are “chosen,” it doesn’t make sense that Paul would single out Rufus as a chosen one in his personal greetings. Therefore, it makes more sense that what he is telling us is that Rufus is a “choice” Christian, one who is exemplary in his words and deeds.

Paul also sends greetings to Rufus’ mother referring to her as “his mother and mine.” That does not mean that Rufus was Paul’s brother, for there is no evidence of this anywhere in scripture or secular writing. It is more likely that what Paul means is Rufus’ mother was like a mother to him.

Now, regarding the speculation about Rufus: we read in Mark 15:21 about Simon of Cyrene who was compelled to bear our Lord’s cross. Mark tells us that he was “the father of Alexander and Rufus.” From this it is reasonable to conclude that when Mark wrote his Gospel, Alexander and Rufus may have been well known as Christians. And, since this letter to the Romans was written some twenty-five years after the crucifixion, there is plenty of time for Rufus to have matured into a Christian worthy of note. It is also believed by some that this Rufus is one and the same with the man who became bishop of the church in Thebes. If these things are true, then it is no wonder that Paul greets him as a “choice” Christian.

Application

We see once again that God, through Paul’s pen, sends special greetings to someone who stands out above the rest in his walk with the Lord. If God were to have such a letter written to your church, would He send special greetings to you?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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