Tag: confidence

Ephesians 3:12 – Confident Access

Posted on by Will

in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Truth to Learn

We have free access to God anytime and anywhere.

 

Behind the Words

“Boldness” is translated from parrēsia. This is made up of pas, meaning “all” and a derivative of hrehō, meaning “to speak out.” Thus, this word refers to “freedom or boldness in speaking.” In the Greek text this word also has the definite article (the), so it refers to “the boldness to speak.”

The word “access” is from the Greek word prosagōgē, which is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and agō, which means “to bring.” We see, then, that prosagōgē literally means “to bring forth.” It is the picture of someone being brought forth into the presence of a king.

The Greek word that is translated “confidence” is an interesting word. It is pepoithēsis, which is a noun, but with the appearance of a perfect tense verb. That verb is peithō, meaning “to persuade.” The perfect tense expresses past completed action with an ongoing effect. In this case, it would be the effect of having been persuaded in the past, that is, a solid and confident faith.

 

Meaning Explained

Yesterday we noted that God has a plan that He devised before time began, and He has already accomplished that plan. He accomplished it at the cross where Jesus Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, offered up His sinless life to pay the ransom for our sins. In today’s verse we see some of the benefits we derive as a result of our faith in His death and resurrection.

Today’s verse starts off with “in whom.” It doesn’t take much effort to discover who the “whom” is talking about. The previous verse ended with “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Now we learn that through our faith in Him, we have boldness and access. The implication, based on the context of the previous few verses, is that we have boldness and confident access to God the Father. But, why would we need boldness and confident access. First of all, as we saw in Behind the Words, the word translated “boldness” refers to boldness in speaking.

Throughout history it has been the case that no one was allowed to approach a king without first having been invited to do so. It is also true that one has to be extremely careful in what one says to a king so as not to anger him. The exception to this is the king’s closest family members, especially his children. That is precisely the picture that we have set before us here. As God’s adopted children through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, we have access to the King of Kings. We don’t have to wait to be invited and we don’t have to get permission. We have free access to Him anytime and anywhere. We also have the boldness we need to freely speak our mind to God. When we come to Him in prayer, we don’t have to use the proper thee’s and thou’s, and we don’t have to worry that what we say might anger Him (no matter how inappropriate what we have to say is). He sees us as His righteous children for whom He has perfect love, and we are always welcome in His presence.

 

Application

God wants you to come to Him and talk to Him about anything and everything in your life. He never sees you as a pest. In fact, He wants to talk with you right now.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 3:4 – Obey Your Commander

Posted on by Will

And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.

Truth to Learn

It’s up to Him and He is faithful. But, it’s also up to us to do our part.

Behind the Words

“We have confidence” is translated from the Greek verb peithō, which, as we learned in the previous verse, means “to win over” or “to persuade.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the ongoing effect. Therefore, Paul is saying “we were persuaded (in the past) and now have belief (confidence) …”

The words “you do” and “you will do” are from the verb poieō, which means “to make” or “to do.” In the first case it is expressed in the present tense, and in the second case it is expressed in the future tense. Thus, Paul is saying “… that you do now and you will do in the future …”

Parangellō is the Greek word translated “command.” It is composed of para, meaning “near” or “beside” and angellō, meaning “to tell” or “to declare.” It is used in a military sense of “relaying an order from the commander from one soldier to the next.”

Meaning Explained

In the first chapter of this letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul commended them on the manner in which their faith was growing exceedingly and in the love which they demonstrated towards each other. He also encouraged them that God would take vengeance against those who persecuted them. In the second chapter, he cleared up some confusion they had concerning the Day of the Lord and explained why that time had not yet arrived. In this third chapter, Paul is giving them (and us) some practical teaching regarding how to have a profitable and fruitful Christian walk.

As we mentioned in the previous verse, the Apostle Paul is making a play on words here regarding the Greek word pistis (faith). In verse two he stated that “… not all have faith.” Then in yesterday’s verse he said, “but the Lord is faithful …” Now he states, “and we have confidence (faith) …” He is clearly showing that a fruitful Christian life is based not just on the working of God but also on our own responsibility. God will guard us and protect us from the evil one, but we have to do our part in performing the things that are commanded of us.

A fruitful and rewarding Christian walk is not easy. Any Christian who says he or she doesn’t daily have battles against his or her sin nature and the schemes of our adversary is deluding himself or herself. Once we have believed the truth about our own sinfulness and have accepted the payment that Jesus Christ made for us with his blood, we don’t simply float through life with bliss and ease. The day of our salvation did not mark the end our troubles and battles in life, it marked the beginning. God has done his part and He will continue to guard our salvation, but it is up to us to make this new life count for Him.

Application

If you are a born again Christian, then you are facing struggles and battles right now. We all do! They may be big or they may be small, but don’t despair and don’t give up. God is doing His part; you have to do yours.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 3:12 – Confident Access

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 3:12  – Confident Access

in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Truth to Learn

We have free access to God anytime and anywhere.

Behind the Words

“Boldness” is translated from parrēsia. This is made up of pas, meaning “all” and a derivative of hrehō, meaning “to speak out.” Thus, this word refers to “freedom or boldness in speaking.” In the Greek text this word also has the definite article (the), so it refers to “the boldness to speak.”

The word “access” is from the Greek word prosagōgē, which is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and agō, which means “to bring.” We see, then, that prosagōgē literally means “to bring forth.” It is the picture of someone being brought forth into the presence of a king.

The Greek word that is translated “confidence” is an interesting word. It is pepoithēsis, which is a noun, but with the appearance of a perfect tense verb. That verb is peithō, meaning “to persuade.” The perfect tense expresses past completed action with an ongoing effect. In this case, it would be the effect of having been persuaded in the past, that is, a solid and confident faith.

Meaning Explained

Yesterday we noted that God has a plan that He devised before time began, and He has already accomplished that plan. He accomplished it at the cross where Jesus Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, offered up His sinless life to pay the ransom for our sins. In today’s verse we see some of the benefits we derive as a result of our faith in His death and resurrection.

Today’s verse starts off with “in whom.” It doesn’t take much effort to discover who the “whom” is talking about. The previous verse ended with “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Now we learn that through our faith in Him, we have boldness and access. The implication, based on the context of the previous few verses, is that we have boldness and confident access to God the Father. But, why would we need boldness and confident access. First of all, as we saw in Behind the Words, the word translated “boldness” refers to boldness in speaking.

Throughout history it has been the case that no one is allowed to approach a king without first having been invited to do so. It is also true that one has to be extremely careful in what one says to a king so as not to anger him. The exception to this is the king’s closest family members, especially his children. That is precisely the picture that we have set before us here. As God’s adopted children through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, we have access to the King of Kings. We don’t have to wait to be invited and we don’t have to get permission. We have free access to Him anytime and anywhere. We also have the boldness we need to freely speak our mind to God. When we come to Him in prayer, we don’t have to use the proper thee’s and thou’s, and we don’t have to worry that what we say might anger Him (no matter how inappropriate what we have to say is). He sees us as His righteous children for whom He has perfect love, and we are always welcome in His presence.

Application

God wants you to come to Him and talk to Him about anything and everything in your life. He never sees you as a pest. In fact, He wants to talk with you right now.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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