Tag: concerning

2 Thessalonians 2:1 – Look Up

Posted on by Will

Now, we ask you, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,

Truth to Learn

In the midst of your suffering, look up! He is coming soon!

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “now” is de. This particle serves to introduce a new topic. It is most often translated as “and” or “but.”

“Concerning” is translated from the Greek preposition huper (hyper). This word generally means “over” or “above.” But, it can also mean “about,” “concerning,” or “with respect to.”

Parousia is the Greek noun translated “coming.” 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 one’s presence.

“Gathering together” is from the verb episunagōgē. This is a double compound word made up of epi, meaning “upon,” sun, meaning “with” or “together with,” and agō, meaning “to lead.” Putting these all together we see that episunagōgē literally means “to lead or bring together upon a place.” In other words, it means “a gathering together into one place.”

 

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul spent most of the first chapter of this letter talking about God’s righteous judgment: grace for believers and tortuous, blazing fire for unbelievers. This was necessary to reassure the Christians in Thessalonica that God is always righteous. Now he builds on that concept and proceeds to explain to them that God has not deserted them. The reason they needed this reassurance is that there were some false teachers in the church who were teaching that the rapture had already come and they had been left behind. Not only that, they were teaching that the Day of the Lord (the time of God’s judgment of mankind) had begun.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Therefore, Paul now will explain to them (and to us) some of the truths that he had previously taught them. We need to keep in mind that there is a difference between the Day of Christ (the rapture) and the Day of the Lord (the time of God’s judgment). By maintaining this critical distinction, we will be able to clearly see through some of the confusion that various teachers have taught concerning this second chapter of 2 Thessalonians.

Paul starts off this chapter talking about the rapture. He describes it as “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him.” This “coming of our Lord” is not a reference to the time of God’s judgment, but to the event that is the culmination of God’s grace. This is clear because he couples it with the “gathering together to Him.” The only future event spoken of in these terms is the rapture, when all Christians (those living as well as those who have previously died physically) “will be caught up together … to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

 

Application

Throughout history, Christians have been persecuted and have suffered at the hands of non-believers. More Christians are suffering today than at any time in the past. But, don’t despair, my friends, God is coming soon. When He does, He will take us out of the world. Then, He will judge our persecutors while we enjoy fellowship with our Savior.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:1 – Ignorance Versus Knowledge

Posted on by Will

But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need of anything to be written to you.

Truth to Learn

There is a distinct difference between the rapture (the day of Jesus Christ) and the tribulation (the Day of the Lord).

 

Behind the Words

The word “but” is translated from the Greek particle de. It indicates transition or conversion, serving to introduce a new topic.

“Concerning” is translated from the preposition peri, which can mean “around” or “with regard to” depending on the form of the word it is referencing. In the current verse, its meaning is “with regard to” or “concerning.”

Chronos is the Greek word translated “times” in this verse. Chronos is used in reference to “a quantity of time” or “the passage of time.” Thus, this word generally refers to a measurable amount of time, or a specific moment in time.

“Seasons” is translated from another “time” word. This word is kairos which implies “a quality or character of a time period.” In other words, it expresses a period of time in a more abstract sense. It is often translated as “a season” or “an hour (not a literal hour, but a general timeframe).”

Chreia is the Greek word translated “need.” It is derived from chreos, meaning “a debt.” Thus, creia literally refers to one who owes a debt. In New Testament Greek it often refers to “a need.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the last six verses of the previous chapter, Paul taught the Thessalonians (and us) about the rapture, referred to elsewhere as “the Day of Jesus Christ.” He now starts off this chapter with “but,” indicating that he is going to make a distinction between the rapture and what he is about to talk about. He refers to it here as “the times and the seasons.” Then in the following verse he will refer to it as “the Day of the Lord.”

So, what does Paul mean by “the times and the seasons?” It is a reference to specific events and a general time period. This phrase only occurs in two other places in the Bible, Daniel 2:21 and Acts 1:7. In both cases it is used in reference to God’s dealing with Israel, and there is no reason to believe otherwise in this case. Therefore, Paul is making a distinction between how God will deal with the church and how he will deal with Israel.

Another reason for seeing the rapture and the Day of the Lord as separate events is given to us in the second half of today’s verse. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul said “I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers,” meaning that they were ignorant of the facts surrounding the rapture. In today’s verse he now says, “you have no need that I should write to you,” following in the next verse with, “you yourselves know perfectly,” regarding the Day of the Lord. We will provide more information regarding this distinction of these two in the following verses.

 

Application

The rapture is an event in which God completes salvation for Christians. The Day of the Lord (the tribulation) is a time in which God will judge the world and provide complete salvation for the believing remnant of Israel.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 2:1 – Look Up

Posted on by Will

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,

Truth to Learn

In the midst of your suffering, look up! He is coming soon!

Behind the Words

The word translated “now” is de. This particle serves to introduce a new topic. It is most often translated as “and” or “but.”

“Concerning” is translated from the Greek preposition huper (hyper). This word generally means “over” or “above.” But, it can also mean “about,” “concerning,” or “with respect to.”

Parousia is the Greek noun translated “coming.” 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 one’s presence.

“Gathering together” is from the verb episunagōgē. This is a double compound word made up of epi, meaning “upon,” sun, meaning “with” or “together with,” and agō, meaning “to lead.” Putting these all together we see that episunagōgē literally means “to lead or bring together upon a place.” In other words, it means “a gathering together into one place.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul spent most of the first chapter of this letter talking about God’s righteous judgment: grace for believers and tortuous, blazing fire for unbelievers. This was necessary to reassure the Christians in Thessalonica that God is always righteous. Now he builds on that concept and proceeds to explain to them that God has not deserted them. The reason they needed this reassurance is that there were some false teachers in the church who were teaching that the rapture had already come and they had been left behind. Not only that, they were teaching that the Day of the Lord (the time of God’s judgment of mankind) had begun.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Therefore, Paul now will explain to them (and to us) some of the truths that he had previously taught them. We need to keep in mind that there is a difference between the Day of Christ (the rapture) and the Day of the Lord (the time of God’s judgment). By maintaining this critical distinction, we will be able to clearly see through some of the confusion that various teachers have taught concerning this second chapter of 2 Thessalonians.

Paul starts off this chapter talking about the rapture. He describes it as “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him.” This “coming of our Lord” is not a reference to the time of God’s judgment, but to the event that is the culmination of God’s grace. This is clear because he couples it with the “gathering together to Him.” The only future event spoken of in these terms is the rapture, when all Christians (those living as well as those who have previously died physically) “will be caught up together … to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Application

Throughout history, Christians have been persecuted and have suffered at the hands of non-believers. More Christians are suffering today than at any time in the past. But, don’t despair, my friends, God is coming soon. When He does, He will take us out of the world. Then, He will judge our persecutors.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Thessalonians 5:1 – Ignorance Versus Knowledge

Posted on by Will

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.

Truth to Learn

There is a distinct difference between the rapture (the day of Jesus Christ) and the tribulation (the Day of the Lord).

Behind the Words

The word “but” is translated from the Greek particle de. It indicates transition or conversion, serving to introduce a new topic.

“Concerning” is translated from the preposition peri, which can mean “around” or “with regard to” depending on the form of the word it is referencing. In the current verse, its meaning is “with regard to” or “concerning.”

Chronos is the Greek word translated “times” in this verse. Chronos is used in reference to “a quantity of time” or “the passage of time.” Thus, this word generally refers to a measurable amount of time, or a specific moment in time.

“Seasons” is translated from another “time” word. This word is kairos which implies “a quality or character of a time period.” In other words, it expresses a period of time in a more abstract sense. It is often translated as “a season” or “an hour (not a literal hour, but a general timeframe).”

Chreia is the Greek word translated “need.” It is derived from chreos, meaning “a debt.” Thus, creia literally refers to one who owes a debt. In New Testament Greek it often refers to “a need.”

Meaning Explained

In the last six verses of the previous chapter, Paul taught the Thessalonians (and us) about the rapture, referred to elsewhere as “the Day of Jesus Christ.” He now starts off this chapter with “but,” indicating that he is going to make a distinction between the rapture and what he is about to talk about. He refers to it here as “the times and the seasons.” Then in the following verse he will refer to it as “the Day of the Lord.”

So, what does Paul mean by “the times and the seasons?” It is a reference to specific events and a general time period. This phrase only occurs in two other places in the Bible, Daniel 2:21 and Acts 1:7. In both cases it is used in reference to God’s dealing with Israel, and there is no reason to believe otherwise in this case. Therefore, Paul is making a distinction between how God will deal with the church and how he will deal with Israel.

Another reason for seeing the rapture and the Day of the Lord as separate events is given to us in the second half of today’s verse. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul said “I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,” meaning that they were ignorant of the facts surrounding the rapture. In today’s verse he now says, “you have no need that I should write to you,” following in the next verse with, “you yourselves know perfectly,” regarding the Day of the Lord. We will provide more information regarding this distinction of these two in the following verses.

Application

The rapture is an event in which God completes salvation for Christians. The Day of the Lord (the tribulation) is a time in which God will judge the world and provide complete salvation for the believing remnant of Israel.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:14 – Christ-like Living

Posted on by Will

Romans 15:14 – Christ-like Living

Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Truth to Learn

Mature Christians behave in a Christ-like manner.

Behind the Words

The word translated “concerning” is the Greek verb peithō, which means “to be persuaded or convinced.” It is in the perfect tense indicating a state of being that is the result of past completed action. The force of his statement is increased by the fact that in the Greek this is the first word of the sentence. It’s as if he were saying, “I have been persuaded and am convinced concerning you my brethren.”

“Admonish” is from noutheteō, which is made up of nous, meaning “the mind” and a form of tithēmi, meaning “to place.” Hence, it means “to place in the mind” or “to remind.”

Meaning Explained

At this point Paul is finished with his doctrinal teaching for the church at Rome, some of which has been very direct and forceful. He now proceeds to explain to them why he has written the epistle and to state the confidence that he has in them. He has opposed some of their strongest prejudices since the beginning of the fourteenth chapter and has prayed that they may have joy and peace. Now, in order to ensure their obedience to what he has taught them, he shows the deep interest that he has for their continuing welfare, though he had never met them.

He states in this verse why he has such confidence that they will take his teaching in the proper manner. He starts off with, “Now I myself am confident concerning you.”

And what is he convinced of? He’s convinced that the Christians in Rome are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish each other. He is convinced that their actions demonstrate, and that their reputation reveals, the fact that they are good people. Now, we know Paul teaches that there is none who is righteous apart from the grace of God, but these people when stacked up against the people around them are “good people.” He also tells them that he is convinced that they are full of knowledge. In other words, Paul knows that they are growing and learning Christians as opposed to others like those he pointed out to the Christians at Ephesus,

that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (Ephesians 4:14)

Finally, Paul told the Christians at Rome that he is convinced that they are able to admonish one another. In other words, they are spiritually mature enough to recognize error in their midst and address it with one another in a firm but loving way. None of us likes to be told that we are wrong, but apparently the Christians in Rome were able to mix firmness and love in a way that builds-up the body rather than tearing it down.

Application

The Christians in Rome were, for the most part, behaving in a Christ-like manner. These people, living in the midst of one of the most pagan cultures ever, were letting the light of Christ shine through them. Do people around you recognize the light of Jesus Christ shining in you?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:28 – Not Your Enemies

Posted on by Will

Romans 11:28 – Not Your Enemies

Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.

Truth to Learn

The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are God’s beloved people whom He will rescue one day.

Behind the Words

The word translated, “concerning” is the Greek word kata, which primarily means “down.” However, this word has many nuances that imply position or relation. As it is used in this sentence it expresses “the relation in which one thing stands towards another.” So, we could translate it as “with respect to” or “as it relates to.”

“Enemies” is translated from the Greek word, echthros, which is based on the verb echthō, meaning “to hate.” Thus, echthros means “one who is hateful or odious, an enemy.” In this verse it refers to those who are odious in the sight of God. God is not saying that the Jews are His enemies, but that they are enemies of the gospel message.

The word translated “election” is eklogen, based on the verb eklegō, which is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and legō, meaning “to choose.” Thus, eklogen refers to the act of choosing or the selecting some out of a larger collection.

“Beloved” is from the Greek word agapētos, which is based on the verb agapaō, meaning “to love in a social or moral sense.” It means to be ultimately concerned for the welfare of the one who is loved. Agapētos refers to the one who is loved.

Meaning Explained

Paul has been explaining that it was the rejection of the Messiah by the Jews that occasioned the gospel (good news) to be proclaimed to the Gentiles. Remember, also, that Paul is talking in generalities about groups of people, not specific individuals. He starts off the current verse with, “With regard to the gospel, they are enemies.” He is not saying that the Jews are the enemies of Christians. He is saying that the Jews are enemies of the gospel message; they are hateful of the message regarding Jesus being the Messiah and that salvation and the righteousness of God is obtained by believing that Jesus died to pay for the sins of all mankind.

But, Paul goes on to say, with respect to God’s selecting who are righteous and who aren’t, they are beloved because of God’s covenant with the patriarchs. This may be a reference to Deuteronomy 10:15 which says,

The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day.

The point is that God choose the Israelites as His special people and though they rejected their Messiah, God will one day turn back to them and restore their position of blessedness because of the covenant (the one sided contract) that He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Application

We should not hate the Jewish people even though they are hateful of the gospel message. Instead, we should recognize that they, as a nation, are loved by God. Sometime in the future He will remove Christians from the earth and once again bless the Jewish people when their Messiah comes as their conquering king.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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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: